HELP!! newgrad newjob subacute dunno what to do

[AB normalRN]

hi guys, im a new grad with no exp. and i already forgot what i have studied during school and during my review for the exam. anyways, i got this job at a subacute facility, and they are planning to put me on the treatment area to try me out first.. well that's what the lady told me.. anyways.. orientation starts this week.. im pretty excited but very very nervous.. i don't wanna look stupid and dumb so im hoping that you guys could help me out?? any tips.. or advice? and what do nurses(rn treatment) in the subacute usually do? thanks guys!!! hoping that someone will help me out.. xoxo abby :redbeathe

[perbd]

Hi AB normalRN.

I too am new to nursing although not a new grad. I forgot what I learned as well. You have an advantage over me because you just graduated, I graduated 14 years ago. You probably will feel stupid and incompetent at first. I sure do. I have been working in a hospital since December. I spent 2 months on med/surg floor, 5 weeks in ICU, and now I am in the ED, the department for which I was hired. I have been there two weeks.

I am still very nervous. I make mistakes, but I learn from them. I ask questions, and sometimes feel they are the dumbest questions, but I don't care. It's better to ask than to do something wrong.

All you can do is your best! You will be fine.

Good luck!

[anom123456]

I think I'm just getting old, but I would start with being able to write/type "don't know" and "want to" instead of "dunno" and "wanna". I've noticed this more and more lately and I'm hoping that it's just part of posting on a forum and I assume you wouldn't necessarily use these in the workplace. Good luck to you at your new job, have confidence and you will do great.

[janee214]

I am a new grad on a med surg floor. I was hired to general med surg floor with a focus on geriatrics in October 09. My biggest piece of advice is to KNOW YOUR PATIENTS. Know exactly why they are there, their history, lab values, vitals, radiology reports, surgeries..everything!! I got so lost in simply completing task (getting their meds on time, assessing and documenting, etc.) that I forgot to use what I learned the last 4 years of college to critically think about my patients' "bigger picture" and apparently that's what all new grads do.

Secondly, be prepared for very stressful days/nights, and situations. There will be times that you have NO idea what to do and there will be times when you feel like simply quitting and wondering why you ever decided to become a nurse. When the moment comes know that you are not alone!!! Never be afraid to ask questions even if you think they are "stupid" because the one assumption you make could be a huge mistake. Remember that you have a license to protect at all costs!

Finally, there seems to be this general idea that some things should be done because "thats the way everyone else does it". Don't fall into the bad habits of others. Do everything the RIGHT way; the way we learned in nursing school..even if it makes you look "uncool" or however you want to pt it. You will find that a lot of seasoned nurses "edit" their nursing practice and cut corners..DONT DO THAT!! Set the example if you have to!

theres a book called First Year Nurse: Wisdom, Warnings, and What I Wish I'd Known my first 100 days on the job...i highly recommend it! everything in there is great advice and totally applicable to new grads!

Good luck!

[santamonicarn]

I enjoyed your commentary, anom:)

How is your position progressing, AB? What state are you from, and what are your responsibilities at your facility?