Going from Hospice to Medsurg..HELP.worried

[dixiesnurse]

I have been a hospice RN for 18 months since I graduated, and I finally finally got a per diem med surg position in a critical care access hospital. I have been wanting to do medsurg for a long time. Now that I have the job, I am getting a little nervous thinking about having to keep my patients alive! The last time I have done any nursing in a hospital room was in nursing school. They are going to orient me next month and the nurse that does the scheduling asked me how much orientation I think I needed and I didn't really know what to say? Also the job is perdiem, and my hopes are to eventually get a full time position.If I am available more do you think that is helpful? Can anyone tell me about a routine day in med surg? As i remember in nursing school, we did assessments in the am and med pass then breakfast, charting ect..I will be on nights so ? Is there anything I can do to kind of refresh? I have an iv therapy book and a lab values book for dummies. Anyways, I am going to learn alot im guessing. I hope I like it:) :)

[kayern]

Per diem or not you need a good orientation. We give a classroom experience then minimally 12 shifts with a preceptor. Do not put your license at risk, ask for as much as they are willing to give you. GOOD LUCK

[Guest296136]

3 month orientation is the norm, but for per diem they do not always offer this, ask for as much as you want.

[Ellekat]

I work on a surgical/ortho floor. We take report, check lab values, pass meds, then start dismissing/admitting like mad. We assess head-to-toe once, but assess continuously for changes with each patient contact. If it's a small hospital, learning what the doctors want you to call them about is helpful. Our surgeons want called for a temp over 101.5, output

[amy14]

It's ok to be nervous. Trust me, I was too when I first started on a med/surg floor. To be honest I think I learned more on the job than I did in school. You may feel overwhelmed for a while, but the feeling will subside. As long as you have good co-workers to aid you and have open ears for questions then you'll be fine. Also starting on nights helps because there's not as much distraction with doctors,families, etc.

Good Luck! :)

[IndtrpRN]

I agree with amy14.

I work on a organ tranplant med-surg floor in Indianapolis, IN and no experience when I started a yeah and a half ago. I was terrified. I would leave work hoping I didnt kill a patient ior make any major mistakes! It takes a good 6 months to get other the anxiety and start feeling comfortable. Give it time-and with good managers, mentoring system and supportive co-workers it should work out well.

Usual orientation is about 6-8 working weeks. I work 7p-7a. We start by getting report on 4 pts, sometimes w/help most of the times not :) Then I take time to look at the pt's chart (vitals, labs, meds, phyician nots for that day) I have made many mistakes taking a nursing word in report and not double checking orders. I then start with the first pt-gathering EVERYTHING Ill need for them between 8-12am. I do everything at once, assessment, vitals, meds, help them up to the bathroom while im already in there, and offer anything else, drinks snacks, things for the family. This eliminates trips back and forth! I try to see all my patients by 10 and chart by 11...then take vitals again at 12am,..then vitals again at 4am with daily lab draws and weights, pass meds at 6am then repost at 7. It all goes by very fast. You will learn new things everyday and can only do one thing at once! Dont be afraid to ask for help and BE CONFIDENT. Good luck!!!!