I am a recent RN grad- May 2005, and I landed a job for our county public/ home health fresh from college.
Previously I had worked as a CNA then LPN at a LTC. I completed my preceptorship in OB- L&D at a small hospital, and some in public health. I truly loved OB and want to work in OB. I thought that I would never land a job in OB- it seemed as if that is what most nurses wanted, especially if I never had any hospital work expereince. A few weeks ago- I gave up my job with the county- I loved the work- but worked with a very very difficult nurse who landed the supervisor job- and I am not one to speak up. I interviewed at a very small local hospital for med surg and they were thrilled to hear that I eventually wanted to do OB. They hired me a few days later- I have to work med surg for a few months to become more accquainted to the hospital setting before transferring to OB. I stumbled upon this website searching for some general advice- in other words I AM SO LOST IN MED SURG!! So I would be truly grateful of any help I can get from here because today I asked a question to the nurse I was orienting with and she gave me this look like OMG- who have they hired? So I am a little scared to ask certain questions that I know could be stupid? Am I confusing?
Anyways my question is - TKO- to keep open- what exactly are the parameters for this- or what does it mean besides to keep open?
How long is your orientation? Mine was 3+ months and I just came off it in med/surg (being a brand new nurse also). At first I was almost panicked thinking I would never be able to get all of this stuff by the end of 3 months. But by the end of two I could see the light and was taking a hallway of patients by myself most of the time.
Give yourself a break hunny, you'll get it! Just don't give up at it.
3 months wow, I had 6 weeks and in that 6 weeks was already caring for 6-8 pts just asking questions when I needed.
Everyone should expect their first year as a nurse to be enormously chalenging. I was overwhelmed for about 6 months. Do the best you can. Ask the questions now or you will never learn anything. Stop worrying so much about what other people think. Developing a thick skin is part of breaking into nursing.Everyone goes through some version of what you are going through so just struggle through it.
DoniaRN
55 Posts
anyone know how i can change my user name? i went to profile, but i dont see it
thanks