I just finished a few orientations for my job and I start working this Wednesday! I will be working 7p-7a nights 3x a week. According to my job description I will be doing vital signs, ADLs, personal care, ostomy care, enemas, IV removals, wound care, and foley care. I will be assigned to a preceptor for the first two weeks and will be on my own after that. I am really nervous because I'm inexperienced and have never held a healthcare-related position before. Please give me tips, things I should avoid doing/saying, the best ways (in your experience) to get tasks done efficiently, things I can do to go above & beyond for patients, time-management tips, etc. Thank you!
I'm a tech on a med surg floor right now, starting nursing school...we are expected, and I do, Foleys, bladder scans, enemas, kangaroo feelings, trachs, phlebotomy, HUC and tele....my unit educator allows me to do whatever skill a nurse teaches me, with the nurse in the room I can start iv's, do assessments, etc.....I can clean and rewrap picc lines, I'm allowed to do abg's as long as a nurse is present, and last week I did a blood transfusion, with a nurse present. I really like my floor cause I learn skills daily and it will help me immensely in school, no more crying during lab finals!
I'm a tech on a med surg floor right now, starting nursing school...we are expected, and I do, Foleys, bladder scans, enemas, kangaroo feelings, trachs, phlebotomy, HUC and tele....my unit educator allows me to do whatever skill a nurse teaches me, with the nurse in the room I can start iv's, do assessments, etc.....I can clean and rewrap picc lines, I'm allowed to do abg's as long as a nurse is present, and last week I did a blood transfusion, with a nurse present. I really like my floor cause I learn skills daily and it will help me immensely in school, no more crying during lab finals!
I know a nurse is supervising you but this still sounds illegal..
I know a nurse is supervising you but this still sounds illegal..
I agree. Even a LPN can't do some of those things. Something goes wrong, you will be the fall guy. At the end of the day, a nurse will protect his or her license. I have seen and heard about it. I would just observe if I were you. If you want to be a nurse.
I agree. Even a LPN can't do some of those things. Something goes wrong, you will be the fall guy. At the end of the day, a nurse will protect his or her license. I have seen and heard about it. I would just observe if I were you. If you want to be a nurse.
Yeah I've heard stories where a tech has done a procedure (with supervision) then something goes wrong and the nurse completely throws the tech under the bus. They'll protect their license at all costs, I'd be careful!
I'm a tech on a med surg floor right now, starting nursing school...we are expected, and I do, Foleys, bladder scans, enemas, kangaroo feelings, trachs, phlebotomy, HUC and tele....my unit educator allows me to do whatever skill a nurse teaches me, with the nurse in the room I can start iv's, do assessments, etc.....I can clean and rewrap picc lines, I'm allowed to do abg's as long as a nurse is present, and last week I did a blood transfusion, with a nurse present. I really like my floor cause I learn skills daily and it will help me immensely in school, no more crying during lab finals!
Wow, is this place short staffed? For a nurse to allow you to start a IV, do a blood transfusion she is allowing herself to be responsible for your mistakes along with you. Is this always the same nurse that let's you do these procedures. Yes a nurse delegates tasks to CNA/PCT but never one that is reserved for nurses only.
Looks like my post didn't go...anyways, we are a teaching hospital, not short staffed, I have some nurses that are preceptors and teach all kinds of stuff. It's a great floor, and everything is a learning experience.
Looks like my post didn't go...anyways, we are a teaching hospital, not short staffed, I have some nurses that are preceptors and teach all kinds of stuff. It's a great floor, and everything is a learning experience.
Teaching hospitals still have to follow the law.. Scope of practice and all that.
Looks like my post didn't go...anyways, we are a teaching hospital, not short staffed, I have some nurses that are preceptors and teach all kinds of stuff. It's a great floor, and everything is a learning experience.
Not to pile on, but I work in a teaching hospital, and I doubt there is a tech in the hospital that would consider having anything to do with blood transfusions. Thats a big no no. In fact the techs typically don't even do blood vitals. A Paramedic in the ER doesn't even mess with transfusing blood, and they probably have a lot more experience and understanding of the process than a tech on the floors.
Your not piling on, it's ok....let me clarify before more panties get in a bunch...I don't push meds, I can't I'm not licensed to, I am certified in phlebotomy, I can start IV's, if the nurse is in the room, we go over IV's, rate of infusion, etc. I hang the bags, I make sure the infusion is correct, the nurse unclamps and presses start. As for the blood transfusion, the pt had a PICC line already, I made sure the infusion was correct, I made sure the blood was infused correctly on the machine, the nurse unclamped and started. I did vs every 5 minutes for 15 min, then 30 min and with no complications, every hour until the next bag was hung.
I learn procedures, I can do a lot of them because PCT's who have had the training, and I have, can do them. If I don't have the certification, then the nurse will teach me, i.e. chest tubes, PICC lines, ABG's, assessments, etc. I take notes, I learn my medications, they give me homework and will quiz me the next time I'm on the floor with them. I take classes at the hospital, either online or in class, I get paid for both.
I'm competent in my skills and the RN's are pleased when I'm their tech cause they tell me it's like having another nurse with them. I always do my tech duties, and will do other skills with nurses when I have time, I don't always have time, sometimes I have all dependent/maximum care pts, and those days I can't do extra skills, but like the last two days, I had all independent non CBG pts and I got to do other things.
I got about 1 month as a PCT. Because i could have up to 10 patients, The experienced PCT will tell you its easy to remember but as a newbie you will feel overwhelmed so I made a task list and use a pocket notepad so I could keep track of what i did and need to do. ACCU checks are urgent and vitals also times sensitive...schedule all your other tasks around those. Write down anything out of normal and report it to the nurse immediately, do not make any judgments or its on you. If you think or see a change in the patient report it. Also patients like to interrupt you while doing vitals to do something else, tell them you will get back to them and just note it so you don't forget.
Lastly, if you need help, don't be afraid to ask the nurse, its there job too, although some of them think cleaning poop and turning patients is not part of their RN duties and they are "above" you.
tnicnat
89 Posts
I'm a tech on a med surg floor right now, starting nursing school...we are expected, and I do, Foleys, bladder scans, enemas, kangaroo feelings, trachs, phlebotomy, HUC and tele....my unit educator allows me to do whatever skill a nurse teaches me, with the nurse in the room I can start iv's, do assessments, etc.....I can clean and rewrap picc lines, I'm allowed to do abg's as long as a nurse is present, and last week I did a blood transfusion, with a nurse present. I really like my floor cause I learn skills daily and it will help me immensely in school, no more crying during lab finals!