New Grad & in desperate need of help

renerian, BSN, RN · Sep 28, 2005

Being an anal oriented organization freak that has always been easy for me. I am one to take time, on my own if I need to, to read important policies. I found that when I needed to know something I had a grasp of a policy already rather than looking everything up. I picked and still do this, policies that are the most used, safety ones or procedure type policies.

My cheat sheets and clipboard were my brain. I tried to accomplish tasks that were in similar areas at once or in succession to cut down on "hall sprinting" (we used to call it catapulting LOL). I made my own cheat sheet (computerized) with it organized in a way that made sense to me. I had an spot for name, room, IVs, lines, TX, Blood, chemo, vitals (only out of whack ones), equipment needs/unique only, med times per Pt, labs/only if out of whack, blood due etc, you get the drift. I wanted to know that on my sheet was not med names but only meds at 2,3,4,8 etc.

Does this help?

renerian

sun_chica · Sep 29, 2005

I find that several things work:

1) Make up your own report sheet (pt name, md, age, adm date, dx, code status, IVFs, diet, VS, activity, meds (times only 8, 12, 16), systems (think head to toe) - this works for me, it may take a few trial runs to see what works best for you:)

2) I have a cheat sheet of commony pushed IV meds (generic, trade, & how fast dose can be pushed... it's taped to my clipboard.

3) At the bottom of my report sheet I place pneumonics so I make sure to document everything, come up w/ what works for you... mine is

{ check mark (chart check), "A" (assessment), "P" (process interventions -careplan updating), musical note (notes on pt)}

4) Have your routine, so you don't miss things. For example, I go in a pt's rm, introduce myself, tell them my plan, ask any CP, SOB, or pain, do my POX, assessment (head to toe), any questions, go doc.

Hope this helps, just keep working at it & try to p/u lil tricks of the trade from you preceptors & other seasoned nurses.

Good luck:roll

Persia · Sep 29, 2005

Thank you for the inside scoop, I hope that this will help, and that I can be where I'd like to be.

Persia:)

Being an anal oriented organization freak that has always been easy for me. I am one to take time, on my own if I need to, to read important policies. I found that when I needed to know something I had a grasp of a policy already rather than looking everything up. I picked and still do this, policies that are the most used, safety ones or procedure type policies.
My cheat sheets and clipboard were my brain. I tried to accomplish tasks that were in similar areas at once or in succession to cut down on "hall sprinting" (we used to call it catapulting LOL). I made my own cheat sheet (computerized) with it organized in a way that made sense to me. I had an spot for name, room, IVs, lines, TX, Blood, chemo, vitals (only out of whack ones), equipment needs/unique only, med times per Pt, labs/only if out of whack, blood due etc, you get the drift. I wanted to know that on my sheet was not med names but only meds at 2,3,4,8 etc.
Does this help?
renerian

Persia · Sep 29, 2005

Thanks so much for the info. I will look into all these areas and will do my very best to start making some changes wherever necessary.

sincerely Persia:p

I find that several things work:
1) Make up your own report sheet (pt name, md, age, adm date, dx, code status, IVFs, diet, VS, activity, meds (times only 8, 12, 16), systems (think head to toe) - this works for me, it may take a few trial runs to see what works best for you:)
2) I have a cheat sheet of commony pushed IV meds (generic, trade, & how fast dose can be pushed... it's taped to my clipboard.
3) At the bottom of my report sheet I place pneumonics so I make sure to document everything, come up w/ what works for you... mine is
{ check mark (chart check), "A" (assessment), "P" (process interventions -careplan updating), musical note (notes on pt)}
4) Have your routine, so you don't miss things. For example, I go in a pt's rm, introduce myself, tell them my plan, ask any CP, SOB, or pain, do my POX, assessment (head to toe), any questions, go doc.
Hope this helps, just keep working at it & try to p/u lil tricks of the trade from you preceptors & other seasoned nurses.
Good luck:roll

NYNewGrad · Sep 29, 2005

Great tips! Another new grad here, excited and scared... :uhoh21: :rolleyes:

CdnRN97 · Oct 7, 2005

You have gotten some great advice.

Many of the bookstores have pocketbooks that are specific to areas of nursing that contain quick info. Also maybe add to your cheatsheats the answers to the questions you feel you are asking time and time again. Even if you feel incompetent, put on a smile and just do the best you can. Patients can sense your insecurity and it makes them nervous. Remember it takes time to get into the groove of things, give yourself some credit. You made it through nursing school and that was tough.

Experienced nurses need to remember they were new grads too!:)

Persia · Oct 7, 2005

Thank you so much for the encouraging info. I appreciate it very much.

Sincerely Persia :blushkiss

You have gotten some great advice.
Many of the bookstores have pocketbooks that are specific to areas of nursing that contain quick info. Also maybe add to your cheatsheats the answers to the questions you feel you are asking time and time again. Even if you feel incompetent, put on a smile and just do the best you can. Patients can sense your insecurity and it makes them nervous. Remember it takes time to get into the groove of things, give yourself some credit. You made it through nursing school and that was tough.
Experienced nurses need to remember they were new grads too!:)