NEW GRAD ONCOLOGY ORIENTATION

[Guest 1064378]

Hello all. I am a new nurse. This is week 5. Our orientation goes to 12 weeks, with additional if needed. I feel good somedays and some, not so good. I don't give good report, I missed a 5 pm piggy back antibiotic and also, I am struggling with myself getting frustrated. I AM NOT quitting. But I have a fear of being fired, LOL. I finally had a progress report from my manager yesterday, prob should have had one earlier. I did not ask for this. She did not critique me or anything. Asked questions she asked all new grads. This job is a "new grad" hire. I am rotating to night come Saturday for 5 weeks. I hear it's more patients. I am trying so hard to adapt but also will they say at the end that "I am not a fit'?  Fear here. I am excelling at some stuff but struggling with others. It is week 5. Is this where people are being a brand new grad?? I am brand brand new. I did not cause patient harm, btw.

[NurseMelly11]

First of all, breathe. Just breathe. Then, stop comparing yourself to others and where they may be at the same mark you are. Everyone learns differently and at a different pace. That is why orientation and new grad residencies are flexible and can be extended sometimes if needed. No one expects new grads to be on top of everything and know what they’re doing all the time. That’s why we keep a close eye on you for the first year. Plus, you’re at the highest risk to make a mistake which makes you a higher liability. And, that’s just facts. So, that being said and now knowing that you’re not alone, what are you going to do to improve and learn from mistakes? 
You’re not good at giving report? Get online and read about report giving techniques. Listen to another nurse giving report, whom you feel gives great report. Then, take notes while observing and start implementing that into your practice. 
You missed a timed med? Then start setting alarms. Do you have a smart watch? Keep a phone in your pocket (on silent if allowed), or have a smart device provided by your facility? Set alarms. I sometimes forget things to this day in my personal life because, well, I’m getting older and it happens. LOL! Unanticipated things happen constantly at my job, so I set alarms on my watch and label them. It’s a huge help. 
Stop worrying about getting fired and refocus that energy on how you’re going to improve each day, learn a new “trick” or technique each day, and how you’re going to advance and keep that job! You’re a new grad. No one expects you to have the knowledge, or skills and time management techniques, of a tenured nurse. Breathe, refocus and believe that you can and will do this! Go get ‘em! 

[MyAimIsTrue, BSN]

You will be fine. Five weeks is nothing. I've been a nurse for over a year and forgot to give 6 am meds to one of my patients just a couple weeks ago. It's a new job for me and I just plain forgot. It was written down on my brain and everything. The day shift nurse called me as I was driving home to ask if I had given them, but forgotten to scan them. I had to say no, I forgot entirely. I was embarrassed and it will not happen again (had never happened before either).

Your first year will be hard, then you turn a corner and realize how far you've come. Your first day off orientation will be terrifying and you will still be asking a million questions, but you can do it!