Need help. How do I sound the politest way possible?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Mar 1, 2013

When do you think you're going to be ready? You cannot keep putting this off.

They know you're still in the process of learning, but orientation is not exactly a time for paid clinical practicum. This is not a major acute care hospital, correct? They want you up and running as soon as possible because keeping someone on orientation is staggeringly expensive.

If I were you, I would attempt to care for the six patients. It is not as if you're going to be totally thrown into the fire because you will have coworkers around to ask questions if you are unsure. Accept the patient load and see how it goes.

Back in 2006, when I was a new grad, I received only one 8-hour shift of orientation before being cut loose to care for 30 long term care residents by myself. You'll make it. Good luck to you.

NursingBro · Mar 1, 2013

When do you think you're going to be ready? You cannot keep putting this off.
They know you're still in the process of learning, but orientation is not exactly a time for paid clinical practicum. This is not a major acute care hospital, correct? They want you up and running as soon as possible because keeping someone on orientation is staggeringly expensive.
If I were you, I would attempt to care for the six patients. It is not as if you're going to be totally thrown into the fire because you will have coworkers around to ask questions if you are unsure. Accept the patient load and see how it goes.
Back in 2006, when I was a new grad, I received only one 8-hour shift of orientation before being cut loose to care for 30 long term care residents by myself. You'll make it. Good luck to you.

Thanks a bunch! this makes me feel better. Its just all of these forms I have never seen that make me nervous.

In this rehab hospital nursing is about 80% documentation.

NursingBro · Mar 1, 2013

Also you asked me when do I think i will be ready. I think about 4 more days would be perfect. :)

Chestnutfox · Mar 1, 2013

I think I would tell them that you're not ready.You don't want to risk your license when you just got it. My girlfriend recieved 6 weeks of orientation. This is unusual I know, but at least two weeks. It seems the standard is two weeks but you will already have 60 hours by the end of the first week! So, if you really feel unsure about it, don't risk it. If it's just nerves, then stand up to the challenge and beat it down like it's fire at your feet!!! Good luck to you:up:

Guest343211 · Mar 2, 2013

But as you take the six patients, you will still be on orientation, so you will still have back-up/support/precepting, or no? If yes, it's fine. You may fee frazzled, but you can get through it. If no support/back-up, you need to talk with manager. Many of us have been thrown to the wolves quite soon, and we made it through. But it is risky, and if you really don't need to take the risk, for your own success and patient safety, why should you?

withasmilelpn · Mar 3, 2013

You need to start doing in order to start really learning. It will help you get the routine down and really learn the process so you'll do better when it's all of them. 6 patients is a good number. Since Rehab can vary a lot - how many patients will you have when you are through orientation?

NursingBro · Mar 3, 2013

They said I will start with 3 patients and move up to 6 when I am ready.

ktwlpn, LPN · Mar 4, 2013

You must be doing so well that they think you are ready-

lucyloo1 · Mar 6, 2013

Be confident in yourself...whether its 2, 3, or 6 patients things could go relatively smooth or fall apart! Thats the good thing about nurses, they help each other. I would imagine even if they give you a large pt load for being a new grad, dont think they still wont be keeping an eye on you! Theyre hope is you can handle it but they dont expect you to be question free. Do what you can and be safe....ALWAYS ask when in doubt. You'll be ok..learn from the experience and soon you'll look back and wonder why you were nervous:)

uRNmyway, ASN, RN · Mar 6, 2013

Ok, I need to ask this, because I keep seeing this come up on here.

To the new grads: How many patients were you assigned in clinicals by the time you graduated? Seems to me like nursing schools in the US are not really preparing their students for the realities of a full patient load. I might be completely off, and if I am, I apologize. It just seems like over and over, we get threads on here about new grads freaking out about their pretty normal patient loads.

Kdrenee · Mar 6, 2013

Where I worked as a PCA, they did orientation for new grad nurses for 12 weeks! The first week was general hospital information orientation and the last week was computer charting information. The weeks in between we're on floor orientation with a preceptor. Then they have the nurse 1-2 patients to care for and gradually gave them more. There was a nurse there who only had 4 patients on her own and she had been working there 6 months. This was a med/surg unit.