Newish Grad: I want your honest feedback

Specialties Pediatric

Published

I've been an LPN since 2007 and have worked in a pediatric LTC/Sub-acute ever since. (Think CP, seizure disorders, trach/vent dependant, TBIs, spinal cord injuries, GTsetc)...

I've also worked per diem for an inner city ER (adult).

I recently graduated and got my RN license. I've been hunting for a job (with no luck), but just got a phone call today from an excellent hospital in my area. It's for a temporary (13 week) contract on a pediatric floor with potential float to peds same day surgury, PICU and peds ER. I know that it could be a phenominal opportunity, but there's a catch... I spoke to the nurse manager and she told me that they will only give me 3 days of orientation because it's only a temp position. I told her I'd be uncomfortable with that seeing as I've never functioned as an RN in acute care, so she told me she could probably stretch it to a week's worth of orientation.

There's a 75% piece of me that knows that I could do the work and do it well.

Then there's the 25% of me that is scared that the expectations will be set to high for my "new-grad" skill set.

  • I've never done IVs on kids--just adults in ER
  • never had to do an admission
  • never did a care plan on the floor (just in school)
  • never accessed central lines
  • never hung blood products (only monitored)

    Do you think I'm biting off more than I can chew? I'd hate to pass up the opportunity, but also don't want to make myself look like a fool. Give it to me straight, gang... :sarcastic:

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

In your three days of orientation, concentrate on those skills you're most worried about: starting IVs on kids, central lines, blood products, admissions and discharges. You've been an LPN for 6 years, so you already know a lot of things, most importantly, what you don't know. Knowing what you don't know is huge.

Three days of orientation isn't much, but it sounds like a great opportunity.

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I think it all comes down to what kind of support is available after orientation ends. Will there be senior nurses around who love to help and teach? A free charge who's available to assist with the unfamiliar?

I can imagine this going really good or really bad depending on the people you're working with.

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Specializes in NICU.

I would go with that 75% of you that knows you can do it. I bet by the end of a week of orientation you'll feel even more confident!

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