New med surg nurse advice

mandy13086 · Sep 24, 2015

1.Come up with your own brain sheet that works for u so u can stay organized.

2 . learn who the docs are, esp if you're day shift. Much easier to just ask them for what you need when u see them round.

3. Time management is KEY.

4. Never be afraid of asking another more experienced nurse for advice if something doesn't "feel right" to u.

5. For me this works..but I go in 30 min early to look up my patients. This way I know who may be discharged, their histories, general info, I can have any questions ready that I may need for the offgoing nurse or rounding doc, I know who needs round the clock pain meds so I can plan for that, see some pertinent labs, etc. Check your facility's policy 1st though.

6. Realize that even though you've graduated, there's a LOT you don't know..that's normal, but ask when necessary.

I'm sure there's more, but that's what I think of right now. I've only been a nurse for a year and a half..so I remember being freshly brand new.

Mrs.in2015 · Sep 24, 2015

Thank you! I like the getting there early idea. My preceptor always got to work either right at shift change or 5 mins early and I never understood it. Don't get me wrong, she was a great nurse. I just think I'll need time to get myself organized. Thanks for the advice!

mandy13086 · Sep 24, 2015

A year and a half in and i still feel better prepared when I go in early. 6 months ago I started at a new hospital and many of the nurses there come in early to help themselves out. It's all about organization. You'll have plenty that will put u behind that u have no control over, so I'm a believer in trying to do whatever I can to get ahead so I'm prepared.