New grad interview on Ortho Unit

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Good evening nurses,

I am a senior graduating from a BSN program this May! I have an interview on Monday for a night position in the orthopedic unit. I have a share day on the unit as well, I am very excited to see what's it's like. I have never done much research on orthopedics, I always thought I would have been interested in the NICU or Psych but I'm not too sure it's the field for me. So, I am very excited about the interview and share day to see what it's like. Any nurses can share what it's like to work on an Ortho Unit (especially nights), the stress level/work load, your patient load, different disorders and surgeries I may see on the unit? Anything would help me. I appreciate it!

Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

christina731 I don;t blame you for leaving! That is too much. We don;t do spine and we have at least 2 aides (31 beds) 7-8 nurses and a charge. I am sorry that you had a bad experience. We are borderline understaffed, but not like you were. wow. 4-5 patients is about our average. Hardest is the confused fractured hip that just doesn't understand.

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I started as a new grad on a post-operative unit that specializes in ortho. Nurse to patient ratio is what matters most! CNAs are important! If you have a high nurse to patient ratio, ask about the average CNA to patient ratio.

A lot of ortho patients are healthy and have low risks for complications. But you never know what will happen after surgery! I've found that having a good relationship with physicians, NPs, and PAs have made my job a lot easier.

Ortho patients tend to be a little bit monotonous, depending on what other patients your unit takes. It is great if you want to specialize in something relating to surgery, but if you are really interested in something else, you may want to look elsewhere.

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

I have to respectfully disagree with your statement about ortho being monotonous! We are a level on trauma so we get all the cases that all the other hospitals won;t touch. We have GSWs, MVA, work related amputations and two of the best ortho oncologists. To me it is never boring.

We also do a lot of research to determine best practices.

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Specializes in Adult Psychiatry, Correctional/Forensic Psychiatry.

I start in one month! I've been studying for the NCLEX. Is there any things I should be prepared to bring with me to the unit? Any brain sheets? I just want to be prepared. Any advice would be amazing! And thank you for the replies!

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Specializes in Adult Psychiatry, Correctional/Forensic Psychiatry.

I'm honestly very into a routine. I'm a type B personality. I like to know what to expect when I come into work (for the most part). Would you say orthopedics would fit that?

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

yes. otho pts are not usually very sick so there is low risk for emergent situations. When you "get" the routine, report is extremely easy and the pts get pretty much the same treatment. The only rough days are early in the week when we have a lot of post-ops (Tues/Wed there may be up to 25 total joints done, most of which come to my floor).

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Specializes in Adult Psychiatry, Correctional/Forensic Psychiatry.

How long have you been in Ortho? Do you plan on staying in this specialty?

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

I have been doing ortho for 5 years, started on an ortho rehab unit until I got the job I have today. I am staying forever. I am finishing my MSN in Informatics, but want to do my DNP too, so I may stay another year as I love the 3 shifts/week and the rest of the time is mine.

I love it.

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Specializes in Adult Psychiatry, Correctional/Forensic Psychiatry.

I'm just really excited to start. I'm looking forward to learning a lot and I feel like the environment and pace will be more my style. How would you say the pace is in your unit? Is it fast paced or steady/slow paced for the most part?

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

Very fast. I had 5 pts on Friday. 3 discharges, one transfer and an admission.

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Specializes in Adult Psychiatry, Correctional/Forensic Psychiatry.

I just hope I have as good of an experience that you're having in Ortho. Lol.

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