New to med surg

[JenParrish]

I'm very excited to receive a position as a PRN float in med surg. My only issue is the orientation is 2 days! 2 DAYS! I don't even have med surg experience. I've been a PACU nurse since nursing school which was about 3 yrs ago. So on top of no med surg experience, I'm still new to the career. I'm kinda freaking out because just finished a week of class orientation. Now I'm about to orientate on the floor. Has anyone ever experience such a short orientation? And how did you survive?

[mmccool719]

This sounds a lot like where I work. What state are you in? I got 2 days of orientation to a HUGE hospital where I float among at least 15 nursing units from oncology to cardiac to trauma. Crazy! I was also totally new to the state so the culture and laws vary slightly. I am going in to my third month and if it weren't for the awesome co-workers, I'd be screwed. I learned to just sign up for 8 hours at a time. Some days I am just in survival mode.....i.e. med pass and patient safety. It does get better as time goes on. No questions are dumb, trust me. Nurses love teaching newbies (for the most part).

[JenParrish]

I'm in texas. I don't know about all of Texas but many of the nurses I've met do not like new grads or nursing students. They seem very annoyed by their questions and are not supportive. It's unfortunate, they really do eat their young here, at least in Austin.

[mmccool719]

I am in Ohio. I just don't get it.....why nurses have to be like that. In the last 2 staff huddles I've listened in on.....it's all lectures about being kind/supportive to each other....like school children! Really? These are grown adults here! As for asking for help, I play the role that the person I am asking is so smart and I am so thankful for their help....gotta eat crow a little bit. I think it's all in how you ask for help. If they catch any whiff of attitude, you are in trouble. Well, hope you are surviving it ok. Another thing I learned, first person I go see is the charge nurse. I tell them very nicely I am "brand new" and I can use all the help I can get. That usually works well too.

[Christopher Ljucovic, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN, NP]

Please talk to your nurse educator and nurse manager. That is not safe! Ask them for more time, it's in yours and the patient's best interest. At least two weeks (6 shifts) orientation. Good luck!