Surgical/Telemetry Floor Advice for new RN

pickensa7016 · Mar 31, 2011

Try not to worry too much right now, I work on a cardiac/telemetry floor and a lot of it you have to learn as you go. That being said I would just revisit ekg stuff to refresh your memory. They will most likely orient you to the floor and make you take ekg classes and drip classes and such. Good luck!

eyeball · Mar 31, 2011

My guess is you are as prepared as you can be and it is once you are on the floor that your real learning will happen. I second the recommendation to not worry and realize that the only way to learn what you need is to be on that floor. Get good shoes, drink lots of water while you work, go to the bathroom even when you don't think you have the time (because you do), eat your lunch and don't skip it. Also be prepared to feel overwhelmed a lot of the time but that it is normal....it will be anywhere from 6-12 mos in all likelihood before it starts feeling like you know what you are doing. The hardest part of the new job will probably be your time management....having ten things to do NOW and not quite sure how to do 7 of them without help and once you get one of them completed there are five new things on top of the original ten to do. You will need go-to people and they will not necessarily be the ones in charge...they will be people you trust, who care about you, have good clinical skills and a helping nature. You'll figure out who they are and they'll help you get through. Of my go-to people, 1 is a barely one year nurse 30 years younger than me, another is a two year nurse, one functions as charge a lot but also works the floor, one is on maternity leave. Sounds as if you'll be working on a similar floor to mine (med-surg/tele) and it's a tough working environment but you can do it!!!!!!! Good Luck!!!!!

RN47 · Mar 31, 2011

My guess is you are as prepared as you can be and it is once you are on the floor that your real learning will happen. I second the recommendation to not worry and realize that the only way to learn what you need is to be on that floor. Get good shoes, drink lots of water while you work, go to the bathroom even when you don't think you have the time (because you do), eat your lunch and don't skip it. Also be prepared to feel overwhelmed a lot of the time but that it is normal....it will be anywhere from 6-12 mos in all likelihood before it starts feeling like you know what you are doing. The hardest part of the new job will probably be your time management....having ten things to do NOW and not quite sure how to do 7 of them without help and once you get one of them completed there are five new things on top of the original ten to do. You will need go-to people and they will not necessarily be the ones in charge...they will be people you trust, who care about you, have good clinical skills and a helping nature. You'll figure out who they are and they'll help you get through. Of my go-to people, 1 is a barely one year nurse 30 years younger than me, another is a two year nurse, one functions as charge a lot but also works the floor, one is on maternity leave. Sounds as if you'll be working on a similar floor to mine (med-surg/tele) and it's a tough working environment but you can do it!!!!!!! Good Luck!!!!!

I really can't add anything, eyeball covered it all, great advice! Don't worry, you will be fine. I do want to stress the importance of having trusted resource people, it's a must. You will have lots of questions, especially in the beginning, until you get the hang of things. Good luck, congratulations!

Patchouli · Mar 31, 2011

my guess is you are as prepared as you can be and it is once you are on the floor that your real learning will happen. i second the recommendation to not worry and realize that the only way to learn what you need is to be on that floor. get good shoes, drink lots of water while you work, go to the bathroom even when you don't think you have the time (because you do), eat your lunch and don't skip it. also be prepared to feel overwhelmed a lot of the time but that it is normal....it will be anywhere from 6-12 mos in all likelihood before it starts feeling like you know what you are doing. the hardest part of the new job will probably be your time management....having ten things to do now and not quite sure how to do 7 of them without help and once you get one of them completed there are five new things on top of the original ten to do. you will need go-to people and they will not necessarily be the ones in charge...they will be people you trust, who care about you, have good clinical skills and a helping nature. you'll figure out who they are and they'll help you get through. of my go-to people, 1 is a barely one year nurse 30 years younger than me, another is a two year nurse, one functions as charge a lot but also works the floor, one is on maternity leave. sounds as if you'll be working on a similar floor to mine (med-surg/tele) and it's a tough working environment but you can do it!!!!!!! good luck!!!!!

agreed. it took me 9 months till i felt comfortable. just promise yourself you'll stay one year, no matter what. many new grads freak out and leave before that year marker because they are stressed and unsure of themselves. you really need at least one year in, two is better. never be afraid to ask questions, no question is stupid. also, always help others when they are drowning (or not), this will take you far and make you a great teammate. good luck to you!