New Grad RN in Neuro Progressive Care Unit

[AZRNallday]

Hello everyone! I am a new grad and I just got offered a position in a Neuro Progressive Care unit. I have always been interested in Neuro while I was in school. This floor has 3 sections and one is specifically for stroke. Of course, they have all types of med surg cases as well.

My concern is: I have heard from other nurses saying that this floor could be overwhelming to new grads. They said that they deal with some psych patients, alcohol withdrawal and everything else. I am actually up for the challenge.

Do you guys have any tips for me? Also, have you worked in Neuro unit or with the new grads in Neuro? What did you wish you knew when you first started, or what would you teach them or me? Thank you!

[nutella, MSN, RN]

Yes, I worked neuro ICU as a new nurse 20 years ago for two years and later on regular neuro floor and step down.

There is a good compendium out there "The Clinical Practice of Neurological and Neurosurgical Nursing" , which I found very good - but I think it is expensive. Also, the professional organization is great.

It is really good to learn about the different seizures and how to describe them, neuro assessment skills. While it is a very comprehensive floor and can certainly overwhelm new graduates, it is also very rewarding as you will get a good insight into the full spectrum of neurological illness and neurosurgery (if your hospital has neurosurgery). The skills I learned in neuro have served me well in any other area !

There was a lot of overlapping with psychiatry as well.

Good luck - I think it is a great specialty! After two years on the floor you will probably have no problems getting any other job as your nursing knowledge will be very comprehensive.

[Zyprexa_Ho]

I've heard rumors that neuro floors are commonly dumping grounds for patients that no other floor wants. That's definitely how it is at my hospital, anyway. Our neuro unit has a reputation among our other hospital units.

People pretty much say that if you can work neuro you can work anywhere else.