New Full Time Job

pinkiepie_RN · Jun 15, 2008

Hi all,
I'm a senior nursing student that just started my nursing externship at a local hospital. I'll be working 36-40 hours a week. I am quite worried because i have never worked at a hospital at all (not even as an assistant nor aide). I recently became sick this week because I am guessing I was overwhelmed. And I am not used to getting up this early.
I'm really worried about working my first 12 hour shift... or even evening shifts. I'm really scared.... I need help. I'm still a newbie!

I can relate to the fear of 12 hour shifts and evening shifts. I just started a per diem job at a local psych facility and am working 7-7 on Mondays and Tuesdays. I'm almost shocked you're not used to getting up early but that's because I've had 7-3 clinicals for the past 2 semesters. I'm sure since you're new to this, you'll be on orientation for a while and you'll have time to get used to what happens in the hospitals when you're working. I worked a little bit of evenings last week and where I am, they told me evening is pretty laid back. Patients get visitors and things settle down. On the flip side, new admits often happen on evening shift, which can be a little crazy. Don't get overwhelmed with any of this! If you're stressed, let someone (preferably your preceptor) know and see how you can deal with it. Good luck! What kind of unit are you working on?

Sssupernurse · Jun 15, 2008

oh... i mean... ive gotten up early to do 7-3 clinicals since my freshman year... but this wasn't like 4-5 days in a row. that's the part thats new to me. plus i have other jobs i'm trying to balance, so i might just quit them. i'm going to have to.

i'm working on an oncology unit

pinkiepie_RN · Jun 15, 2008

oh... i mean... ive gotten up early to do 7-3 clinicals since my freshman year... but this wasn't like 4-5 days in a row. that's the part thats new to me. plus i have other jobs i'm trying to balance, so i might just quit them. i'm going to have to.
i'm working on an oncology unit

Yeah doing it all the time is hard. The first week of it was a big adjustment to me. I'm still functioning on school time where I could go to bed at 1 or 2 am, go to class, and then come back and nap. I'm working two jobs, both at different hospitals, both per diem. My schedule is like this:

Monday-Tuesday: Job #1 (7a-7p)

Wednesday: Off

Thursday-Friday: Job #2 (7a-3:30p)

Good luck juggling multiple jobs! I'm doing it simply because the first job couldn't offer me full-time and I took it during the school year when I needed the part-time hours.

Sssupernurse · Jun 15, 2008

Yeah doing it all the time is hard. The first week of it was a big adjustment to me. I'm still functioning on school time where I could go to bed at 1 or 2 am, go to class, and then come back and nap. I'm working two jobs, both at different hospitals, both per diem. My schedule is like this:
Monday-Tuesday: Job #1 (7a-7p)
Wednesday: Off
Thursday-Friday: Job #2 (7a-3:30p)
Good luck juggling multiple jobs! I'm doing it simply because the first job couldn't offer me full-time and I took it during the school year when I needed the part-time hours.

whew... thats an intense schedule. i do like that day off in the middle of the week though, that seems pretty convenient. i think it was just a big shock to me... orientation when straight into days onto the floor. like.. this is how last week was for me

monday, tuesday, wednesday - 8am-9pm (orientation + 2nd job)

thursday, friday - 7a-3:30p...

unfortuntaely i couldn't get through friday and i literally got sick in the morning :sniff: my nurse manager sent me home though. so i was happy about that. i do my first 7a-7p this tuesday. im kinda nervous but i think i'll be okay. this first week definitely shot me up. so i'm hoping i'll get used to it. :crying2: i really want to!

pinkiepie_RN · Jun 16, 2008

whew... thats an intense schedule. i do like that day off in the middle of the week though, that seems pretty convenient. i think it was just a big shock to me... orientation when straight into days onto the floor. like.. this is how last week was for me
monday, tuesday, wednesday - 8am-9pm (orientation + 2nd job)
thursday, friday - 7a-3:30p...
unfortuntaely i couldn't get through friday and i literally got sick in the morning my nurse manager sent me home though. so i was happy about that. i do my first 7a-7p this tuesday. im kinda nervous but i think i'll be okay. this first week definitely shot me up. so i'm hoping i'll get used to it. i really want to!

One word of wisdom with your first 12 hour shift: make sure you eat and stay hydrated! The time flies by just as fast as an 8 hour shift does for me but I found myself crashing at about 4 and will be packing extra snacks so when I get downtime, I can eat and keep my blood sugar stable throughout my shift. Here's to going to bed early during the summer, right?

tachybradyRN · Jun 16, 2008

I was really nervous about today, my first shift at my full-time externship job, but I promise you, you'll be okay. I got through today pretty much unscathed, minus my aching legs. The nurses on my floor are wonderful and very supportive and helpful. I'm glad the first day is over.. it's always the hardest. You'll be just fine, so long as you know your limits and tell people when you're unsure of yourself/don't know how to do something.

Sssupernurse · Jun 16, 2008

One word of wisdom with your first 12 hour shift: make sure you eat and stay hydrated! The time flies by just as fast as an 8 hour shift does for me but I found myself crashing at about 4 and will be packing extra snacks so when I get downtime, I can eat and keep my blood sugar stable throughout my shift. Here's to going to bed early during the summer, right?

haha you know it. i've been trying to plan out my sleeping schedules down to a T! :chuckle plus i went snack shopping today so i will have more than enough snacks for the time being... and yeah i'll definitely make sure i'm hydrated. i really need to work on that.

i honestly don't mind going to bed early during the summer too. it keeps me busy... i guess id rather be occupied this summer rather than just sitting at home.

thanks so much for the kind words. my first 12 is tuesday... so *crosses fingers* i'll make sure to let you all know if i survive it :loveya: