New Grad: I will NEVER put stuff together

Nurses New Nurse

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Hello everyone,

I am a new grad, I just had my first 2 shifts on a pediatric floor. I love it but I feel like such an idiot that I can't handle it. I have a preceptor for another 10 shifts but then that's it, then I'm on my own. This idea makes me physically ill. There are SO many things to remember and know that I do NOT feel under any circumstances that I will be able to adequately care for a patient on my own. There are SO many protocols (some things have them, some things don't), SO many times when you need an order for something/ other times when you don't need an order, SO many things that you're supposed to notify the doctor of, SO many things that you don't have to. I feel like I am going to die on my first shift alone. I know I will be ok if I really think about it, but I just am SO scared that I'm going to administer a drug and then all of a sudden get in trouble because there was a protocol for it that I didn't follow, etc.

I need advice please!!!

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Is this a peds floor in a hospital?! and they only give you 12 shifts of orientation? that to me sounds very wrong and just plain unsafe especially if this is in an acute setting. I oriented to my adult med surg floor for about three months...they happily extended it from 6 wks to 9-10 wks. On a peds floor I would think they would give you around what I got if not more since with peds you have to be so safe and careful because its children! I would definitely go to your manager asap and tell her youll need more time...that way she'll know and wont be thrown for a loop if you were to tell her at shift 11 that you need more time...this way she can make sure it can be arranged or tell you if more time is doable at all...I say act on it now rather than wait and see...if they want to produce a competent and safe new grad they have to expect to put time into your training..just my opinion.

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Is this a peds floor in a hospital?! and they only give you 12 shifts of orientation? that to me sounds very wrong and just plain unsafe especially if this is in an acute setting. I oriented to my adult med surg floor for about three months...they happily extended it from 6 wks to 9-10 wks. On a peds floor I would think they would give you around what I got if not more since with peds you have to be so safe and careful because its children! I would definitely go to your manager asap and tell her youll need more time...that way she'll know and wont be thrown for a loop if you were to tell her at shift 11 that you need more time...this way she can make sure it can be arranged or tell you if more time is doable at all...I say act on it now rather than wait and see...if they want to produce a competent and safe new grad they have to expect to put time into your training..just my opinion.

I so agree. Three months seem to be very standard in my area as well. Even my home health company gives new hires more than 12 shifts of orientation, and our patients are very stable.

In addition to what katygw said, I suggest you find a way to access your hospital's policy and procedure manual. They are usually accessible online or refer to a particular nursing textbook. Study them on your own time. Make cheat sheets and have your own clinical folder for your own reference.

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Two shifts isn't enough to keep track of anything :) Give yourself a bit of credit- and know that even after orientation, you have coworkers, and generally a unit clerk- you're never totally alone. It takes months, if not years to really feel "grounded". That is SO normal. Don't worry about how many days of orientation you get- just soak up all you can; many times at the end of orientation they will ask you how you feel you're doing. But I'm guessing that at the end of this week, you'll feel better- not great, but at least seeing a positive trend :up:

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Specializes in Neurosciences, cardiac, critical care.

Wow, you only get 4 weeks of orientation? That's crazy for a peds floor. I wouldn't wait until my 11th shift, I'd let my manager know after 5-6 that I'm gonna need some extra time. I think 3 months is VERY reasonable to ask for- little people scare me. They can go really bad really quickly, and they're hard to get back. Good luck!!!

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