New Job/ Need advice and thoughts!

[xanderfan]

Hello everyone,

I am in desperate need for some advice. I was recently hired on an acute floor at a long term care facility, I am starting orientation tomorrow and I am very very nervous. I know since this is something new, it's okay to be anxious but i'm the type that try to be as prepared as possible in order to decrease my anxiety. I think hearing from other people's advice and thoughts will help me feel more secure.

They said I will be receiving 2 weeks orientation and upon starting work, I will be working on the acute floor with one day in long term care, the 3 to 11pm shift. The DON said the acute floor is tough, with many types of disease processes and that medication pass and time management will be my biggest obstacles.

Does anyone have any advice on how to overcome that? Any thoughts on how I can prepare myself? What are some mistakes that you made when you first started that you think I should avoid making? I know admissions are a big component of the 3-11 shift, any advice on that? I also heard that critical thinking and knowing when to intervene is important, are there any tips that you can give me to help me hone those skills (other than time lol)?

Please, I am so nervous it's ridiculous. I know it is a right of passage and that nursing is tough period but I just want to avoid dumb mistakes and be as prepared as i can. As a new grad everything is new and I want to learn as much as I can but I don't want my fear of the unknown to trip me up and make me panic from the get go.

Please share your thoughts or advice, I would really appreciate it.

Thanks in advance.

Sammie

[iluvivt, BSN, RN]

Please post this in general nursing and you will get a lot of good advice! Please do not get yourself so worked up that you can't learn. You need to tell yourself that you WILL be able to do this and learn.Whatever comes along you can cope! Just take one day at a time. Check out what drug reference they have (probably an on line one and bring your own if you do not like the one they have and get Gaharts IV medication (hands down the best for any an all IV medications).

Get or make a good worksheet and make a plan for the shift even though you are constantly planning throughout the shift Please look up anything you do not know. Make time to read ALL the polices and procedures and make a copy of the ones you will be using often.Make good professional relationships because you will need them. Pay attention to detail. Take your breaks you need them to replenish yourself.