How My Orientation is Going

[OrganizedChaos]

I'd say it's going ok. I have high expectations of for myself so when I mess up I'm really mad at myself.

I think the most trouble I'm having is with the Pyxis. I've never had to use anything like it so it has been difficult to get use to it, scanning the patient's bracelet & then the meds. Then dealing with the narcotics. Oy! That's a whole other story! Have to have a witness to get them out AND to waste them. Holy hell. I'm trying to get use to that! I'm not use to that. I'm use to working in corrections so nurses didn't pass meds & the inmates rarely if ever got narcotics.

When I worked in nursing homes it was all on paper & we didn't have to go through so many steps like this. It's a whole new world to me. I feel bad & mad for messing up. I should know better but it's all so new.

I also feel kind of bored, it seems all monotonous. Go in, get report, pass meds, lunch, pass meds, give report. Blah. Same thing day in & day out. Maybe it will be different when I'm off orientation but man, I feel so bored with it. There aren't any codes or anything exciting that happens. I can see why no one stays in med/surg departments for long. I already want to bridge & move to the ICU or ER after I get RN med/surg experience.

[ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP]

Also want to add that there are codes and ERTs on my unit. They aren't everyday, but they happen. And really, you can get excitement from the crazy business of most med/surg units without the life/death stress most of the time, which is what I personally prefer.

[OrganizedChaos, LVN]

Med/surg...boring? Monotonous?

Come work where I work. I have so many interesting stories to tell, from people shoving appliances up body orifices, overdoses and drug withdrawals, confused elderly and psych patients, massive wounds/pressure ulcers, colorful personalities and more! Not to mention, all the cool skills like IV starts and foleys, wound care and the occasional peritoneal dialysis. All while trying to juggle a patient load of 5-7 with high-strung family members.

And forget about lunch. Lunch breaks are like unicorns...they just don't happen. At least, not thirty minutes of uninterrupted peace and quiet from chaos that is med-surg land.

That sounds like quite the opposite of my floor! I'd love to join you!!!

Everyone gets an uninterrupted 30 minute lunch on my floor.

[OrganizedChaos, LVN]

Also want to add that there are codes and ERTs on my unit. They aren't everyday, but they happen. And really, you can get excitement from the crazy business of most med/surg units without the life/death stress most of the time, which is what I personally prefer.

I guess that's what I'm looking for. Don't get me wrong, I love my job & I'm thankful for it. I'm not going to leave! But a lot of the patients I've had have been the super stable A&Ox4, walkie talkie types. The documentation I have down, the Pyxis I'm obviously still learning but I just want more excitement like you discuss.

[Simonesays, BSN, RN]

September 2017

November 2017

December 2017

OC, "the same thing day in and day out" describes 99% of all jobs out there, whether they are in nursing or something in a completely different field. It's called work for a reason, it's seldom all fun and games

You've only had this job for one month. Three short months ago you shared the concerns and anxiety you had regarding your then current job situation with us here on AN. You were worried about finding a new job and your financial situation. You have since then found and started a new job in a hospital and that has got to be a relief. Well done!

OC, if I'm honest the fact that you feel bored after a single month in a specialty that is new for you, concerns me. There is no way that you know everything already, despite having seven years prior experience in other nursing specialties.

I'm an adrenaline junkie and I need my regular fix and when I previously worked in law enforcement, I got it on the job (sometimes a bit too much of it). These days I get it rockclimbing and parachuting. What I'm trying to say is that I understand that if you are a certain type of person, you might thrive on excitement and need it to feel content. Routine and humdrum might not be what makes you feel alive and happy. But I must confess, I don't find codes exciting at all. To me they either signifiy that we (the healthcare team) might potentially have dropped the ball on something or that injuries/trauma/disease processes is kicking our collective butt. Either way, not my idea of fun. Sure, the code situation means that we the team get a chance to utilize some of the skills we have been trained in, but ultimately all it means is that a human being is attempting to die on us. It's simply more sad than it is exciting.

Focus on doing a good job and learning everything you can. Learn all policies that are specific to your new Place of employment. Also, focus on learning the Pyxis so that you stop making the mistakes you've alluded to in your post. Being bored while also making mistakes is not a good combination in my opinion. For now, I bet that deepening your understanding regarding pathophysiology of all the disease processes that you can encounter on a med-surg floor ought to be able to function as a boredom antidote and keep you busy for some time. Then, after a couple of years, I would pursue a lateral transfer to the ER or an ICU if you still feel interested in those specialties.

OC, I started my post with a little timeline of the events that have transpired in the past three months. I wanted to remind you to offer some perspective, that you after feeling dejected after losing one job, seemed very happy about finding the job that you're currently working. Not every job is our ideal job. Most probably aren't. But they do provide a steady income and are a means to pay our bills and hopefully also do something fun during time off.

Another thing I thought about when I read your post. I don't think that the reason that many nurses leave med-surg is because it's boring and the same thing day in and day out. I think the reason that so many leave: is that it's one of the toughest specialties out there.

I started off my nursing career with a brief stint on a med-surg-tele floor. Today, I work as a nurse anesthetist. I find that so much easier than med-surg was. Admittedly, anesthesia and one patient at a time, suits my personality and strengths better, but med-surg is stressful and in my opinion needs nurses who have an incredible breadth of knowledge.

Just like I did in the previous thread I replied to you, I wish you the best in your new job, OC!

Best wishes to you Organized Chaos and a merry christmas/happy holidays to you and all of AN :)

Wow!! I wish I could like this post more than once. This is such a thoughtful, well-written, and helpful post. I couldn't say it better and I couldn't agree more.

[OrganizedChaos, LVN]

Wow!! I wish I could like this post more than once. This is such a thoughtful, well-written, and helpful post. I couldn't say it better and I couldn't agree more.

I agree. I couldn't believe that poster took the time to go to previous posts of mine to provide evidence. I was in awe. Definitely the most helpful post & put things into perspective for me. :)