(Long time lurker...) Finally got my dream job.

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Specializes in Med Surg.

Hi community! First time poster but I've been reading this site for years. I graduated nursing school in 2012 and started working in a Rehab/Long term care facility for two years. I interviewed at Grant Medical Center in Columbus and got the job! It's the Medical Specialty Unit and I can't wait.

So, here are a few questions I have if you wouldn't mind answering me.

1) What are some things I should brush up on? I work with a lot of geri-psych, COPD, CHF and general weakness patients. I want to be prepared for orientation, which is the 20th of December.

2) It's my first night shift job! How the heck do I prepare for that?

Any other insights would be much appreciated.

Thank you so much.

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congratulations. it sounds like your off to a good start. i dont want to tell you the wrong thing so wait until your first night shift and you can ask your preceptor then. im sure they will have a better idea. plus your going to learn so much so fast just by doing things.

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Specializes in ICU.

Congrats! I am also a 2012 grad. I've always been more of a night owl so the transition was pretty easy for me. Some people rely on caffeine. Otherwise, bring some healthy foods/snacks to help keep you energized. Get as much sleep as you can when you get home from work. Make sure you have good blinds/curtains to shield the sun during the day while you are sleeping. If you work 3 days per week, make sure that you have 3 uniforms ready to go for the week. It sucks having to do laundry when you get home if you have to work again that same night. Do you live alone or with family? Talk with your family about your schedule so they are respectful of your sleep.

I agree that you should talk with your preceptor and ask him/her what kind of patients that he sees the most on this floor. It will give you something to talk about. My floor is a med-surg mix so I see a lot of the patients you have mentioned. Some others: pneumonia, encephalopathy, hip fx, appy, cellulitis, chest pain, etc.

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