new grad staring orientation tomorrow !

Tweety, BSN, RN · Sep 8, 2007

Good luck! It's hard to have more than one preceptor. We all survive orientation somehow and you will too.

ozned · Sep 8, 2007

I felt like I could have written this exact post 1 mo ago! I also graduated in May but didn't start working until Aug. I haven't worked f/t for 8 years since I've been home w/my children. I felt nervous, questioned my skills and wondered if I made the right decision working 3-11 3xwk. I was happy to find very supportive staff who made my transiton easier. ( Do you have classroom time prior to going on the floor? That also helped. ) I still ? my shift choice because my youngest is 6 and having a hard time with the separation. I feel more confident each shift I work and so will you. Just jump in and don't be afraid to make mistakes. Try not to have preconceptions re: you preceptor but if she is all that terrible make sure you get someone else. This is our time to advocate for ourselves to make sure we have proper training to take care of our patients. I'm right there with you struggling with the juggling but I look at this as 11 more months of school. Kind of like an internship........"you need 1 yr med surge experience" so Ive been told. Just dive in, you can do it!

NoviceToExpert · Sep 8, 2007

When you have a few minutes here and there spend time in the utility rooms where all your supplies are stocked. I had a thorough scavenger hunt which was useful. When you first start you will lose a lot of time because you won't know where your tools and supplies are. Learn locations asap. Learn your computer system as quickly as you can. Learn your equipment/infusion pumps as soon as you can. This will free up a lot of time. There is so much time lost fumbling through an unfamiliar environment. This time loss has nothing to do with your nursing skill level... so don't feel like you're incompetent if you feel overwhelmed and way backed up. Figure out where you're losing time. Each day it will get a little easier. There's nothing like being a new orientee when someone sends you running for say a pressure bag during a code and you find yourself rummaging from shelf to shelf desperately trying to find one.

Good luck tomorrow... you won't have lost any skills you had a couple months ago... you will build your confidence back up quickly I bet.

It's an exciting time, don't let anyone ruin it for you!

kimber3ks, ASN, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Sep 8, 2007

Oh, thanks so much for all the supportive words. Half the battle, I know, is in my mind. I am going to have a 12-week orientation and we start a Critical Care Class on 10/3 that is IN ADDITION, to our floor time with our preceptor. They "want" you on the floor for 3-12 hour days, but with my 'real life', lol, schedule, it is near impossible. They

I signed up for 2-12 hours shifts (11 am-11 pm), but during training they want you on day shift for the first half, then to your regular shift for the second half. It is just sooooo overwhelming trying to coordinate where all my family members have to be.

I know that the knowing where supplies are, handling of everyday equipment and such will simply be a 'more I do it, the better I get at it' type thing, so I'm trying not to stress about that.

I think it is more, will I know what to do when this type of patient comes in, i.e. get V/S, listen to their chest, belly, assess neuro,,,,you know, that stuff that experienced nurses, just DO, without thinking.

This, for me as an adult reentering the work place, is difficult. I have know what 'to do' for so many years, that now being thrown into a big question mark, is driving me crazy!! lol, lol I am sure it will all work out. Just hope I stay sane through it though :trout:

brathrn · Sep 8, 2007

I was in your shoes 1 month ago! You'll do fine, just keep your head up at all times. Don't show anyone your weak. BE CONFIDENT in yourself. In Nursing, everyday you learn something new. Try to get your own routine down and don't be afraid to ASK questions! Good Luck!

kimber3ks, ASN, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Sep 11, 2007

Just thought I would give an update on how my first day of orientation/training went. My preceptor, despite the grapevine chatter, was fine. I had no problems with her at all. She has 3+ years experience, and seemed to know her sh-t if you know what I mean. Besides being a little rough around the edges and in the middle of a divorce (she couldn't help talking about it, I guess, and that was OK), we had a good day together. She kept saying how s-l-o-w it was, but that was just dandy with me, lol. I did not need any additional stress of a typical chaotic day in the ER.

As for me, I felt like a fish out of water, which I knew I would. Just that "what should I be doing now" feeling or not knowing exactly what the flow is, not knowing IBEX (yet ! ), not knowing where the supplies, NS bags, tubing, etc.

On top of that I feel rusty with basic skills, like priming tubing, drawing up drugs, etc. Despite ALL this, I managed to give an IM tetorifice, insert 2 Foley's, one of which was difficult and took me 2 tries, but I was persistent and got it, which was rewarding since the 92-year-old woman had THE most junkiest urine and probably uroseptic on top of the pneumonia she came in with! Also, pulled a few IVs and did a few discharges. Not bad for a first day I guess.

Nervous about meds, and I guess peds too. We had a 2-month-old in a very minor MVA, w/no obvious injuries. I got so frazzled in just taking his heart rate that I miscounted and my preceptor had to recheck it. Gosh, the simplest things can blow your confidence in a split second, lol.

Overall, I would rate it as a positive experience. Trying to keep my chin up and take one day at a time. I keep telling myself the more things I see, the more things I do, the more I will KNOW what I should be doing and ultimatley will gain confidence.

Thanks for the support guys. This truly is a great support system,

K

brathrn · Sep 11, 2007

Congrats kimber3ks! I'm glad things went well. One day at a time, thats all you can do! It'll get easier. Keep it up!