new grad needs advice/support

Sciencelover · Mar 6, 2008

Several of my classmates went directly into OB new grad positions and most are happy. If that is where your heart lies, then you need not start in med/surg, but it is true that most of the new grad programs in OB begin in July or August. What about going to the hospitals where you might want to work in OB, and ask them if they can put you into a new grad pgm in July, but allow you to start now in med surg (or even postpartum, since that may be the basic training ground for OB)?

november17, ASN, RN · Mar 6, 2008

I can understand your anxiousness. I felt very anxious myself. Med/surg wasn't my first choice either, but I figured it was probably a good place to start when I was offered a job there...(my other prospects were places I DEFINITELY didn't wanna work). My first choice was a flight nurse, because I have a very cool head under pressure and I watch way too much TV. I'm hoping to move to ICU in a few months, and after I drop a few pounds I'm going to apply for me "dream job." haha.

I encounter stuff all the time that I've never done before and I'm constantly learning new stuff.

NG tubes? I did em on dummies in nursing school...never got experience with it in clinicals. I got my first experience OTJ when a patient accidentally pulled hers out going to the bathroom. I went over it really quick in the clinical skills book, gathered the supplies, and had one of my coworkers go in with me to offer tips/tricks/guidance. Now I'm the NG master!

Suctioning?? Oh lord...I only ever did that on dummies too!! I actually collared a respiratory therapist to help me the first time I had to do this.

You name it, there is all kinds of stuff that I have/had either never done before (yet read about it), only done it on dummies, or had done it one time like 2 years ago in clinicals. What I'm trying to say is that there are always resources available if you don't feel confident. There will always be someone that you work with that says, "Do you need help with anything?"

6 patients used to kill me. Eventually I learned to juggle everything. While I was on orientation I had a couple of complaints against me...I learned from it. One patient thought I was being a jerk because I requested a pin number from their daughter. Another patient complained because they thought I was rude to ask their family to leave while I assessed them post-operatively.

My first day on my own I was nervous as hell!!! I just did my best. It worked out. My VERY first patient that I administered medication to had tons of questions. I was so nervous I was shaking (I stuck my hands in my pockets). I just put my best foot forward. A month later, that very same patient actually sent a letter to my manager about how A+ I am :) I was shocked, because I thought I sucked.

The other day I had 10 patients after a coworker got sick and had to leave an hour into her shift. We distributed her patients as best we could amongst the RNs. There is a new grad we work with and no one wanted to give her any extra, so we shared them so she wouldn't have extra. Anyways, Here I was with 10 patients, and I actually lived until the next day, and so did all of my patients!! I wouldn't have dreamed this possible 9 months ago.

You can do anything you set your mind to. Just remember, it is very difficult to harm someone. There are so many safety checks in place, unless you completely ignore them, it is almost fail-safe (not quite 100%, but darn close). Just pay attention and focus and you will be fine. Don't be afraid to ask for help with stuff you don't know what you're doing with. Being a new RN is like a free pass to say, "I don't know what the heck I'm doing here, please help!!!" Believe me, I love the new grads on my floor, and I certainly don't mind helping them. I'm not that far out of school myself, so I'm no expert, but I enjoy sharing knowledge, and I know that the majority of the experienced nurses on my floor feel the same way. The worst are the new grads that act like they know everything!

And think of the wealth of experience you will gain working med-surg! You will go on to L+D with a wealth of experience with all kinds of different medical experience. I deal with pts with all kinds of medical histories. I've also been pulled to other floors; oncology, cardiac, pulmonary, neuro, renal...they were all very eye opening experiences. Imagine you encounter a soon-to-be-new mother with a long cardiac history? Or a history of cancer? You might know a little more about those things than a nurse that simply stepped into L+D as soon as they graduated.

I'm just saying, don't be too anxious. No one walks into med-surg feeling 100% confident. Just relax and do your best and you will be fine. The fact that you even feel anxious about it confirms that you'll be a great nurse, since you're obviously self-conscious about your performance. Believe it or not, that's a good thing.

eedyah · Mar 6, 2008

Several of my classmates went directly into OB new grad positions and most are happy. If that is where your heart lies, then you need not start in med/surg, but it is true that most of the new grad programs in OB begin in July or August. What about going to the hospitals where you might want to work in OB, and ask them if they can put you into a new grad pgm in July, but allow you to start now in med surg (or even postpartum, since that may be the basic training ground for OB)?

Good advice in deed.If you really like it then go... More power:heartbeat:yeah:

imanedrn · Mar 7, 2008

Hello to everyone!
I graduated in Dec. and passed the boards in Feb. I am experiencing some anxiety over starting work. I will tell my story and try to make it as brief as possible.
I was supposed to graduate in May of 06, but an unexpected joy came to my husband and I in the form of a son in the middle of my schooling. Finances allowed for me to return to school part-time which is why I finished late.
My true joy is L&D/PP and have no doubt this is my calling. I have been unable to find a position in this field as experience is either required or the orientations begin in July. I did alot of thinking and thought I would try Med/Surg for a year to gain experience despite my anxiety. I have been offered a position after shadowing a wonderful nurse in this field.
My fear is that I have not had any med/surg experience since my clinicals in spring of 04. The orientation is 9 weeks, at the end of which I am expected to carry 6 patients on average. I have a ton of anxiety concening my ability to perform well in med/surg. Many of the skills employed here I was never even exposed to 4 years ago.
I am truly excited about beginning my career as an RN and hope I will reach my dream of caring for women ante, intra, and postpartum. I am confident of my skills here....med/surg freaks me out! I do not want to harm anyone due to a very lack of experience.
I would appreciate any advice. Thanks so much.

Other than the gap in schooling, I'm in the same boat you are!

I look forward to working in L&D / women's health one day... but I started in med/surg/tele, so I could get a nice, broad background from which to grow. Although I've found that M/S/T is VERY emotionally and physicially demanding, it is manageable. My nerves have been a constant wreck, since I start my preceptorship nearly 2 months ago. I have 2 weeks left, and then I'm on my own. I can barely believe it!

But I've read a lot of posts, and here's how I figure it now:

(1) I passed nursing school for a reason.

(2) I passed boards for a reason.

(3) I was hired for a reason.

(4) When in doubt, I will be working with enough experiened and capable nurses to whom I can defer, not to mention the countless other resources:

(a) pharmacy (for drug interaction or IV push information, etc.)

(b) RT (for O2 & ABG info, etc.)

(d) CNAs (one of whom helped me realize I grabbed the wrong container [a poop cup!] for sputum :lol2: )

(e) your charge nurse (who, ultimately, is responsible for everything you do!)

(f) and so on...

Recently, I've had serious doubts about stepping out on my own. I spoke to manager about it. She suggested I should give the 1st of final 2 weeks of my preceptorship a chance, and see how I fare on my own (though my preceptor will still be close by). If I truly doubt myself after that, then we should revisit the issue...

Just remember: You have so many people there to help. Use them as resources before a problem happens, and you should fare ok. At least, that's what I keep telling myself

blueiwahine · Mar 11, 2008

Follow your heart...