Need some advice from other nurses....please!

[clh8987]

Hi everyone!

ive been a nurse for three years now, primarily in the SNF/ALF setting. I recently was accepted for a position on a med surg/acuity adaptable unit on midnights. I'm super excited but super SCARED!! I've just started orientation and I'm finding that there is so much I don't remember because I haven't had to deal with it much in the places I've worked. Certain IV medications and dosing, chest tubes, codes. My class orientation is almost over and I'll be orientation on the floor soon. I've been trying to go home every night and review my information and look up the policies and my hospital but it's all so overwhelming. (I tried to memorize the dosing for different opioids today along with their IV push times, along with my EKG information, central line information etc). I just worry there is so much I don't remember, and that I shouldn't be having to review so much. I want to succeed in med surg, and I'm very eager to learn. Just lacking in confidence at the moment and need some advice!

[Emergent, RN]

I remember way back when. I started out in long-term care and got a job on a medical floor. I was so nervous about doing something I haven't experienced. I thought I had hit the big time.

You'll do fine. You're just a smart as anyone else that's working there. It's just a new set of skills that you haven't worked with before.

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

Most of your learning is going to come when you hit the floor and as things come up. You'll drive yourself nuts trying to remember it all ahead of time. Just make sure during your orientation you put yourself out there as much as you can with different tasks if your stuff is OK. For instance if you and your preceptor are having a good shift and another nurse in a zone next to you has a patient with a chest tube or wound vac or something you haven't seen or done. Maybe hanging blood or on an insulin drip. Ask your preceptor if you can go observe or do to help you learn. Any good preceptor is going to be appreciative and look good on you for wanting to do and learn and don't be afraid to ask for help or ask questions.

[Joanie49]

It sounds like your doing everything right. Reviewing from school, looking at policies, and reviewing medications. I still look medications up and I have been on a med surg unit just like you described for a year... There is always a charge nurse for questions and other senior nurses! Good luck!

[NurseLife88, ADN, RN]

I waited four years between nursing school and actually becoming a registered nurse. I was terrified I had forgotten so much and that there were so many things I didn't know. I have found out that a lot of things come back to you the more you see and do. I also feel like so much of what you need to know is learned on the floor actually doing and observing. Yea it's great to review but don't overload your brain with information unless you want to burn out fast and not really remember much. It will come to you in time. If you need to know something look it up, ask questions, ask for help, and definitely pay attention to the other nurses you work with. They will hopefully be a valuable resource and can teach you so much. Also remember nobody knows everything and you are not expected to. Being a nurse means always learning. Good luck...you got this:)