New LVN on Med/Surg Floor.

xoemmylouox, ASN, RN · Feb 7, 2012

I would say ask questions when you have them. Take good notes. Practice your math. Invest in a good waterproof watch.

anniv91106 · Feb 7, 2012

Hey everyone I am a new LVN, I've been working in home health doing shift care. I just found out I got a job i had interviewed a while ago its at a local Hospital on a Med/Surg floor I'm really excited but I'm starting to get so nervous about it. Any pointers from anyone working in a Hospital will really help. Thanks guys!!

Do you know what your job description will be?

Brush up on head-to-toe assessment skills. Your five senses, a BP cuff and good stethoscope will serve you well.

Listen carefully during report.

Take time to check original orders if you have any questions or doubts.

Wishing you the best!

darkbeauty · Feb 9, 2012

WOW. Hospitial medsurg, and you LPN. One in a million these days. I would polish up on my skills. Ask questions endlessely. Hospitals usually give adequate orientation. Goodluck.

shawna.k · Feb 10, 2012

Pay attention to how your preceptor/s organize for the shift to stay on track & focused. Then find what works best for you. After getting tired of writing a list down on extra paper every shift, I made an awesome flow sheet I wouldn't dare be without. It's divided up and each room has a place to check off when my assessment is in and when my rounds are done & charted. I write in my med times for that pt (ex - 21, 22, 0, 6, 7). If they are blood sugar checks or turn q2 I highlight that section. On the ride side by each pt I have a section to write in my shift I/O and PRNs given. As I take report I write in any notes on something that needs to be done (dressing change, pain reassessment, NPO after MN, etc). I make short notes during my shift if need be. When I give my charge nurse report at end of shift, this one sheet of paper is all I need. Report goes much faster that way. And at any time during my shift, I can see at a glance what I have coming up for meds and what I have left to do or chart. It has been a great asset, and I'd be lost without it!Ask, ask, ask questions. Don't ever think you know everything. The day you think you know it all is the day you need to retire. All nurses have a new skill or concept to learn. Your pt's can drive you batty but you gotta love it and your heart has to be in it. If it is, I promise all the rough times are worth those little moments when you know you made a difference.I moan and groan sometimes, but I wouldn't trade med-surg for a long time to come, if ever! I love the diversity of the pt conditions and skills.Good luck to you!

LampsandCoffeeLPN · Feb 10, 2012

Awesome and very useful advice, Shawna K.!!

shawna.k · Feb 10, 2012

Awesome and very useful advice, Shawna K.!!

Thank you! April will be my 1 yr mark. I feel like I'm just now really hitting my stride and my shifts are going smoothly now. They were so stressful at one point that my migraines were bad. Stress is one of my triggers and I was having one nearly every night I worked. Thank God that's over!

NurseLiz13 · May 3, 2012

Ah thank you so much just what I needed to hear right now, ive been searching for advise for anything that will keep me from going crazy at work I find it so overwhelming all the work that I have to do, I don't see how I could work any harder to be better if im not charting & filling out forms im with a patient changing them or listening to their needs trying my best to be a good nurse while still keeping up with charting, I definitely don't know it all and don't try to but im having an extremely hard time getting a hold of my workload I just don't see how I will ever finish when im on my own. I take notes listen and do but somehow I feel like its not enough to get by, I always miss some part and it just brings my attitude don and makes me feel incompetent