Getting past the nerves

[texasmum]

I am a new RN, BSN (not young, just new : ). I have had my preceptor for six weeks and it's time for me to tell the boss when I am ready to go on my own. They are not complaining. It's up to me. I have even done a weekend without my preceptor. When do you start feeling ready?

Charting - I'm good. Brand new computer system - not a problem. General patient care - I'm fine and I have no problems asking someone if it's a procedure I have never done before.

What about assessment though? I am pretty good but when do you get over being scared you might miss something? I am in a critical care unit so there is a LOT to pay attention to.

[ckh23, BSN, RN]

It will take you a good year to start to feel comfortable. As a new nurse, you need much more time than six weeks of orientation. I recommend 12-13 weeks minimum for a new grad in critical care.

[meandragonbrett]

You need more than six weeks of orientation in critical care as a new grad.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

It kind of depends upon where you are in critical care . . . a "critical care unit" in a small community hospital is way different from the cardiac surgery intensive care, neuro intensive care or coronary care unit of a large teaching hospital. More orientation would be nice, but it's not always realistic or possible. If the OP feels good with patient care and charting and knows enough to know what she doesn't know and when she needs to ask questions, it could be OK. I got six weeks of orientation when I started, although that was (ahem) a long time ago. I think the key point is the OP knows when she's in over her head and needs to ask questions/get help.

[BSNbeauty, BSN, RN]

Good answer good answer.

It kind of depends upon where you are in critical care . . . a "critical care unit" in a small community hospital is way different from the cardiac surgery intensive care, neuro intensive care or coronary care unit of a large teaching hospital. More orientation would be nice, but it's not always realistic or possible. If the OP feels good with patient care and charting and knows enough to know what she doesn't know and when she needs to ask questions, it could be OK. I got six weeks of orientation when I started, although that was (ahem) a long time ago. I think the key point is the OP knows when she's in over her head and needs to ask questions/get help.

[texasmum]

Thanks Ruby. This is what most would consider a rural area. Town of only 40,000. Six months would be fantastic but just not reasonable. The weekend that I worked on my own (my preceptor was sick and I covered for her) I had great nurse coworkers who had no problems with me asking questions and that worked very well. My worry is really how to handle a "super crazy day" when I get that crew of not so great coworkers. (We all know it happens : )

Thanks for the reply.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Thanks Ruby. This is what most would consider a rural area. Town of only 40,000. Six months would be fantastic but just not reasonable. The weekend that I worked on my own (my preceptor was sick and I covered for her) I had great nurse coworkers who had no problems with me asking questions and that worked very well. My worry is really how to handle a "super crazy day" when I get that crew of not so great coworkers. (We all know it happens : )

Thanks for the reply.

YUP. Those days happen anywhere, and then we all just do the best that we can. Even the not so great co-workers. Their best just won't be as good as someone else's best. If you just keep doing the best you can, you'll be ready when that day arrives. It will still be a gawdawful day, but you will get through it, and so will your patients. Not much you can do ahead of time to prepare for that sort of thing, except keep developing your skills, your time management and you're nurse's instincts. You sound like you're on the way!