Just got hired, now what?!

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Hello all! So last week I passed my NCLEX-RN, and this week I just got hired for a full time RN position on the med/surg unit. I am absolutely terrified, I feel like I know absolutely NOTHING! I haven't practiced any of my nursing skills or assessments in MONTHS. If anyone out there has any advice, or any knowledge of good resources I should review, it would be so greatly appreciated! Thanks :)

-Heather

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Specializes in ICU.

Congratulations!

I hope you kept your class notes - reading over your med/surg notes will be helpful. Also, there is a med/surg certification exam, therefore there must be med/surg certification study guides. I'd say one of those would probably be a good investment.

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Specializes in medsurg, progressive care.

Awesome, congrats!!

It was 8 months between passing the NCLEX and when I actually started my job, 10 months between graduation and starting, for me. I was TERRIFIED because I felt as though I didn't remember anything. Everyone kept telling me "oh I hope you're studying", but I was working 40-50 hours a week at my horrible low-wage job to pay bills and loans and such, so I wasn't devoting a lot of time towards nursing (besides, all my free time went to job applications!).

It turns out they don't expect you to really know/remember anything when you first start. As you do things on orientation, you'll start remembering information from past classes. It helps if, after doing something on the floor (whether it be giving a new med, doing PD, whatever), you go home and look it up in your book.

I also got a pocket drug guide (2014 Lippincott- looooove it) and a med/surg pocket guide, and I carry around my pocket health assessment book in my backpack.

It's normal to be nervous but try to relax. You're going to do great!!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Congratulations!

If that is your photo & you are using your own name for UserID - please change them to something more anonymous in order to protect your identity. This is even more important now that you are employed as a practicing nurse.

Trust the orientation process. Any organization that hires new grads has made a commitment to provide the support and resources that are needed for a successful transition from student to clinician. Make sure you have a clear and accurate understanding of everything that will be expected of you - and focus on meeting those goals.

You're going to be terrific!

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