New to Med-Surg nursing

Penelope_Pitstop, BSN, RN · Jan 11, 2014

Hi litebrightgirl!

First of all, congrats!

Here are ten tips I posted for new grads. I know you're not a new grad, but I think they're helpful for a new-to-medsurg nurse!

1. NEVER doubt your own assessment, even if you were told in report everything was fine

2. Protect your IV lines! Flush them at the start of each shift. Check them AT LEAST every four hours, AT LEAST hourly if a vesicant is infusing.

3. Admit you don't know before you try to wing it

4. Do NOT apologize for calling a physician

5. Learn the signs of delirium. When those signs definitively appear, check vitals, a blood sugar and bladder scan the patient. Also check if a recent UA & culture, or blood cultures have been sent. You could save a life!

6. Remember that tech and clerk duties are your responsibility even if they are not your JOB

7. When you have to pee and do a million other things at work, pee first. Unless you're in a code. :)

8. Learn which of your fellow nurses are more helpful and knowledgeable, and make sure to repay them with your assistance.

9. WRITE IT DOWN, even if you are certain you'll remember

10. It's okay to laugh and cry with your patients. Really.

j0yegan · Jan 11, 2014

Do NOT be afraid to ask questions. It is better to be safe than sorry. And keep a notepad where you write down all of the answers to your questions. It's always a good idea to have something you can refer to, rather than asking the same question over and over again.

litebrightgirl · Jan 12, 2014

Thank you for the great advice!! I'm so excited to get this position. I've done 2 days on the floor. The first day I questioned why I went I to nursing lol. The second day was much better!!!

sunshyne17 · Jan 13, 2014

I too, will be moving from SNF/LTC to med-surge in about a month. One thing I have to keep reminding myself of is to focus more on assessment at the hospital and less on getting meds on time. LTC/SNF is focused on completing tasks and working in assessments.

I am under the impression that it will be opposite for med-surge.

Please post and let me know how the transition is going so I can prepare.

Oh - and did you get a guide/reference for your new floor?

litebrightgirl · Jan 28, 2014

Here's an update!!! I am finally feeling less overwhelmed. I'm starting to get a routine. The main thing is to make sure you have good time management skills or develop them real quick. I work nights but at my hospital I'm still busy. I love working med surg and am very happy. Yes, assessments are more important then passing meds. On med surg you can have a patient who is stable one minute and code the next. So far that hasn't happened!! You'll love working med surg. It's much different than SNF.