New med surg position

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Specializes in ER LTC MED SURG CLINICS UROLOGY.

I have worked as an RN in ltc for six years, and recently accepted a day shift job on a medical floor. The ratios are usually 6 patients to one RN plus one tech per 10 patients. There will be a free charge most days. I do not think the acuity is too terribly high. The charting is all epic and the meds are pixis dispensed and scanned. Any thought on this? I know I will be busy, and I'm not anxious about working hard. I just want to be ale to provide good care to my patients.

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Specializes in MICU, SICU, CICU.

Your time management skills from LTC are going to serve you very well as a M/S nurse. The ratio is doable with a tech. You will like Epic and you have a good resource with your charge nurse being out of staffing. Be sure to learn your hospital's policies for anything that is new to you such as TPN and PPN, PCAs, epidurals and blood products etc. How long is your orientation?

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Specializes in ER LTC MED SURG CLINICS UROLOGY.

Actually I have worked medical floor before. The orientation is 4 to 6 weeks. I am just concerned about using epic as I am used to me ditech when I did prn med surg before. Also there will be a centralized Pyxis. I'm definitely not used to that! I am used to pharmacy sending everyone's medications in a bin.

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Specializes in MICU, SICU, CICU.

Withdrawing meds from the pyxis is an extra safety check. You will be alerted in case you withdraw for example, 20mg of simvastatin instead of the 40 mg that was ordered.

Epic is clicking tabs and clicking boxes. There are many shortcuts built in that take a while to learn. You will get alerts for meds and labs that are due and new results and new orders. It's a very good program once you be accustomed to it.

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Specializes in ER LTC MED SURG CLINICS UROLOGY.

Wow. Does sound excellent indeed!!!! Thanks so much for your help. I think it's going to be an exciting and positive change!!!

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Specializes in ER LTC MED SURG CLINICS UROLOGY.

Omg I'm turning in my resignation tomorrow which means there is no going back! 😁😁😁nervous indeed but anxiety can be good I guess, so I've heard.

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