I'm slow: orienting on days a good idea? (long)

Nurses New Nurse

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Background: Nursing--2nd career; went from schl to community-based nsg (stable chronic walkie-talkie pts, paper charting, long-term care), so my med-surg/hospital exp. is nearly 10 years "old". (Took an RN refresher, but there was only abt a week of hands-on at hospital--the one I'm working.)

Hired abt a month ago for 7p-7a FT slot on a lively 30-bed med-surg HOSPITAL unit that takes some peds (but I won't have to cope with peds for a while, thank heaven). Computer charting; just trying out computerized MARs. (Urk.)

Manager, assistant manager hired me KNOWING I'd be slow and would need "new grad style" orientation....no problem there. Floor nurses on nights really nice, supportive, but we're short, even with ppl orienting.

I ***really*** need to pick up multi-patient speed AND more experience with all sorts of practical hands-on skills. (I learned them long ago; just haven't had chance to practice them----and am terrified of "breaking the patient".)

After 2 orientation weeks on nights (patient care, admissions, etc.), my assist. manager talked with me and suggested switching my orient. sched to days, with a preceptor who is reported to be "awesome" in terms of being organized, fast, and a good teacher.

Part of rationale was "if you can swing day shift, nights will be a breeze". Also simply more RESOURCES/people on day shift; we've been stretched thin on nights. Also frankly lots more hands-on stuff on days, so lots of procedures, meds, etc. AwesomeNurse is willing to precept and is aware of my background.

I said yes to try it; it'd be a little unnerving and scary but would give it old nursing school shot. Really WANT to do well (it's actually sort of fun on the floor, once the jitters resolve) and the staff sure seems supportive.

But am actually scared: howinheck am I gonna learn time-management stuff on 6 pts (normal load) PLUS orientation stuff AND sharpen task skills/speed on DAYTIMES?????? Fast-paced, lively DAYS??

Words of wisdom, experiences from other "slow scared starters", suggestions to keep from being strangled with a stethoscope? HELP!:uhoh3:

LauraMT

41 Posts

I've been working since June and at my hospital everyone orientates on days then switches to their shift for some more orientation. It was good to orientate on days because you do things on days that you rarely do on nights like discharges and certain procedures. I'm on nights now and I think my stint on days was helpful--and now I know I NEVER want to work days.

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