My first RN position, my first hospital job, HELP!

Flames9_RN, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Feb 18, 2011

Everyone feels pretty much useless out of school,lol I know I was put with a preceptor over a few month period and she gave me more and more to do! Started with just watching her, then she gave me 1 pt, 2 ,3,...... She was there to answer questions and provide assistance. I'm sure most hospitals do something like that. And the other staff can help as well!

PrynsezNing · Feb 20, 2011

Thank you flames!!

Flames9_RN, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Feb 21, 2011

If you do not know something--ASK!!! Don't fake/ignore it!!! Could cost you a lost more work in the long run--or something far worse!! They wil know your new and most likely willing to help! My peeps were,lol

MissIt · Feb 21, 2011

I agree. Most people don't feel like they know what they're doing when they start out. As you go, you'll see the same meds over and over, do the same procedures over and over, etc. You are going to be very slow when you first start and that's okay. You'll look up the meds before you give them and your preceptor will have to remind you how to do some of the procedures (plus you'll have to review your specific hospital protocols). It will all come together for you, though, and you'll develop your own system about how to get through the shift. We had a lot of new grads start at the same time when I began. It was helpful not to be the only clueless one! LOL

PrynsezNing · Mar 5, 2011

YEs! I am lucky to start with some fellow new grads! Thank you for the advice!

Jules Anne · Mar 11, 2011

I have been a preceptor for quite a few new grads and I'll tell you what I do with and expect from my orientees. I let them shadow me the first day and let them see the flow on the unit and how I manage my time. Then I start them out with 1 or 2 patients to let them start getting the hand of their own flow and time management and advance them to more patients as appropriate. Throughout the day, I ask them lots of questions about the meds they are giving, what responses they expect to see from the patients, other critical thinking questions. I also expect that they will know about the meds that they are giving and the procedures/tests that they are prepping patients for/sending pts to or that they will look these up independently prior to giving the med/getting the patient ready. If it is a time crunch (example getting pt ready for an emergent cath/CABG) I just jump in with them to get the pt ready and explain to both my orientee and the pt as we go and discuss it more in depth with my orientee afterward. Your preceptor will probably do the same with you. If you don't get this kind of feedback/interaction from your precptor, talk to your preceptor about your needs and if the situation doesn't improve, ask your manager for a new preceptor. It's your job, your license and ultimately the health of your patients-protect them.

If you want to set yourself up for success, I recommend getting very familiar with the meds that are common on your floor and the lab/procedure results that you will be seeing often. Also don't be afraid to ask questions! For the safety of your license and the safety of your patients, ask anytime you are unsure of something. Even if you are at the end of orientation or off orientation and it's a med/procedure you aren't comfortable with, ask for your preceptor or another nurse to come in a double check behind you. I still do this and I've been a nurse for years and have precepted many new nurses.

Best of luck!

luckyluv05 · Mar 31, 2011

Hello. I just finally passed my boards! So happy and eager to start my career. I have been out of school for over a year. I am wondering on interviews will they be asking why I am applying for my first job so long after school? Will they want to know why I couldn't pass my boards sooner? So nervous about everything right now!