New grad that was just hired at a rural hospital....

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Specializes in med-surg.

I posted this on the rural nursing thread, but I didn't get any replies....

I am a new grad as of december of 2008, and I was just hired at a rural hospital in MT. I was wondering if anyone can give me any pointers?

A little bit about the facility: The hospital is connected to a long term care facility, which I will be their charge nurse. I will have a max of 4 acute care patients and I will run their ER. They always have a MD and a respiratory therapist on call that live in the same town. I will orient in the day for 12 weeks but once that is over, I will be working at night as the only RN. 2 weeks of my orientation will be in the ER at a bigger facility in a larger town....just so I get some more experience in. I would like to become a trauma nurse someday and I heard that working at a rural hospital is a good start.

Any advice would be fantastic! I am a little nervous...

-Libby

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Specializes in DOU.

Oh my gosh! That sounds like an outrageous amount of responsibility for a new grad! My advice is to push for a much longer orientation. My friend who went to ER is getting 6 months for orientation, and she isn't even going to be a charge nurse!

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Specializes in Home Health, Med/Surg.

I would be scared as HECK as a new grad with all that responsibility! I agree with previous post - push for a long orientation! Best of luck to you!

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Specializes in OR & ER.

working in a rural facility you need to remember that you are all things to all people. Common sense is your best friend. Good luck

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Specializes in med-surg.
working in a rural facility you need to remember that you are all things to all people. Common sense is your best friend. Good luck

That has been the best advice that someone has given me so far. Thanks!

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I work in the same type of facility.

Just be really careful of what you say and to whom you say it. Everyone in my town is related in one way or another and anything you say gets back to whomever it was about, and even if it was something nice it will be distorted beyond all recognition.

You'll be the urgent care center a lot of the time, and then you'll get the stabilize and ship folks.

Good luck.

:)

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Specializes in General Nursing.

hi! :)

that's great. i'm quite new here.. i'm graduating this march :D i'm so excited! :p we'll still be taking the nursing licensure exams after grad.. busy life still.. i want to work already! it's really nice that you got to work now. keep it up!

keep safe!

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Specializes in med-surg.

Good luck on your licensure exam! Your almost done! :) Yay!

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Specializes in ED.

Are you serious? You're a new grad and you are going to be in charge of the entire ED, with up to four acute patients? I would buy , lots and lots of liability insurance.

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I personally think your situation is scary and I am a new grad too. That scares the heck out of me. But, I am not you so I would say try to learn as much as possible. Look at the ENA site for the emergency room bible. It is a book that has nursing advice for almost every situation. Look for online learning if possible with various scenarios. Tear everything apart while you are in the departments. THere is no worse feeling that having a sick patient and not know where what you need is. That has helped me some I hope it helps you.

Good luck

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Specializes in ER.

I would run....and fast if I were you.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Wow ... that is a lot for a new grad!! The ENA don't even want you in triage until you've been an RN for 6 months, let alone being the sole RN ... but rural is a whole 'nother world. You've received some great advice ... I'll just say good luck!! :)

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