How many pts do new grads take?

Published

Specializes in LTC, case mgmt, agency.

I was just curious as to how other hospitals/facilities orient their new hires? For example : My first week I had to take 3 pts. , the 2nd week I was taking 4, the 3rd week I was also taking 4 to start and then taking in 1 admit later to make 5 by end of shift, 4th week I am taking 4-5 pts based on acuity ( I've been getting 3 high acuity and feel a little dumped on ) which of course is also a great learning experience, I've been told I am not progressing fast enough though, that I should already be at 5-6 pts. Yet the other grads who started 3 weeks ahead of me are only taking 4-5 pts who are all stable. What gives? :confused::banghead::banghead::banghead: I know they are short on nurses but I still feel like I am making pretty good progress. Shoot, I don't get the luxury of mostly stable pts like the other 3 grads. I am taking it with a grain of salt and dealing with it but I would like to know how others have been oriented. Curiosity!

:nurse:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Birth center, LDRP, L&D, PP, nursing education.
I was just curious as to how other hospitals/facilities orient their new hires? For example : My first week I had to take 3 pts. , the 2nd week I was taking 4, the 3rd week I was also taking 4 to start and then taking in 1 admit later to make 5 by end of shift, 4th week I am taking 4-5 pts based on acuity ( I've been getting 3 high acuity and feel a little dumped on ) which of course is also a great learning experience, I've been told I am not progressing fast enough though, that I should already be at 5-6 pts. Yet the other grads who started 3 weeks ahead of me are only taking 4-5 pts who are all stable. What gives? :confused::banghead::banghead::banghead: I know they are short on nurses but I still feel like I am making pretty good progress. Shoot, I don't get the luxury of mostly stable pts like the other 3 grads. I am taking it with a grain of salt and dealing with it but I would like to know how others have been oriented. Curiosity!

:nurse:

Good for you :heartbeat I am on my 9th week (and final week, provided I don't ask for one more, which I may do) and I take 3 patients. My preceptor said based on how I do this weekend, may reccommend me for another week. Now while I am all for being as prepared as possible before I have lives in my hands and am alone, it still makes me feel a bit behind the curve when the other new grad is flying through it all. I did an L&D preceptorship, she did a medsurg one and was a CNA. We have two different backgrounds.

What I'm trying to say is that if you feel like you're satisfied with your progress, and you're doing the best you can than hats off to you! Honestly, no one toldus how fast they would push us through orientation and into pt care. No one told us how scary 4 high acuity patients would be. Or how snarky some nurses can be. Nursing is so much harder than I ever thought it would be and I have to organize so much more care than I ever though I would do. :sniff:

I don't think it's worth it and 99 percent of the time I job hunt. But that other 1 percent of the time I'm making a brain for me to better organize my care and looking up tips to giving quick baths and looking up drug interactions of hte common drugs I pass. I am asking nurses on these boards how they talk to Drs...

Anyways, I'm sure you're doing great. And if you really aren't, :banghead:well at least know that you are in good company. With me here :chuckle

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, case mgmt, agency.

I think I am doing ok. I just lack confidence, but from what I hear, that takes time too. My employer is only giving me 6-8 wks to orient. But the other grads are getting 12 wks.:eek: And by the way, I also hate calling doctors. I just had one come in and tell me I was stupid for writing an order he called in wrong. I told him , " I read it back to you twice and you confirmed it . " Doctor actually laughed.:chuckle What is your facilities nurse to pt ratio?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Birth center, LDRP, L&D, PP, nursing education.
I think I am doing ok. I just lack confidence, but from what I hear, that takes time too. My employer is only giving me 6-8 wks to orient. But the other grads are getting 12 wks.:eek: And by the way, I also hate calling doctors. I just had one come in and tell me I was stupid for writing an order he called in wrong. I told him , " I read it back to you twice and you confirmed it . " Doctor actually laughed.:chuckle What is your facilities nurse to pt ratio?

Drs are something else. Attendings scare the pants off me!!!

I work nights and we do total care. I work on a vent floor and if i have all vents I have 3 patients. It's not so bad, 3 is very manageable... It's just that nights get all bathing, tubing changes, dressing changes, morning care...

But on a happy note I decided I love PICC and CLC lab draws!!!:yeah:

What kind of floor are you on? What are your pt ratios?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, case mgmt, agency.

Med-surg, we take 1:6-7 on days

1:6-7 on pms

1:8 on nights

I am orienting on days but will be on nights. CNAs take 12 on days/pms and on night its 1 CNA to 16-17. And they're threatening to increase our workload because of " the budget ".:banghead: I hate it and want to move to another floor but can't for 6 months. I am looking for another hospital though.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Birth center, LDRP, L&D, PP, nursing education.

I just got a voice mail from another hospital I applied at in April. I wonder if that's a sign!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, case mgmt, agency.
:up: Good luck!:D
Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion