Orientating new nurse

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I just began orientating on a med surg floor. I am orientating with 7 other nurses from all different units(all with experience). I think I'm feeling overwhelemed partly b/c i feel way behind in my skill set and my knowledge in comparision to other ppl. I feel like there is so much to learn! Orientation is between 4-6 weeks but we can request more time. Pt ratio is 5:1. I will be working the night shift. Is that enough time for orientating? When do you begin to feel comfortable? Any advice on how to get the most out of this experience. I want to be good at my job and I just would like any advice about your experiences. Thanks!

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Specializes in Medical/Surgical.

Ask plenty of questions! Never be afraid to ask a more experienced nurse a question. If you have a chance to, perform skills with these nurses in order to boost your confidence before you are on your own.

Personally, I think your orientation period is a tad scanty. I would go for at least 8 weeks if your facility is amenable.

Good luck!:bugeyes:

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Im definately taking that advice..i asked tons of questions today. Its slightly intimadating when everyone else your orientating with has experience and your the only one who doesnt. Thanks for the advice..anymore you can offer me about good teaching websites etc that teach you to do basic skills like start ivs etc would also be good. It would be helpful to maybe educate myself on all of these skills so Im a little bit ahead of the game.

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Im definately taking that advice..i asked tons of questions today. Its slightly intimadating when everyone else your orientating with has experience and your the only one who doesnt. Thanks for the advice..anymore you can offer me about good teaching websites etc that teach you to do basic skills like start ivs etc would also be good. It would be helpful to maybe educate myself on all of these skills so Im a little bit ahead of the game.

You might find the videos on this site helpful: http://www.saddleback.edu/alfa/vid_index.aspx

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I have been orienting... get all the hands-on experience you can. If one of the nurses just likes to explain what she is doing, ask if you can actually perform whatever she's doing... whether it be a skill, or even how to do the paper work.

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Specializes in Med Surg, Ortho.
i just began orientating on a med surg floor. i am orientating with 7 other nurses from all different units(all with experience). i think i'm feeling overwhelemed partly b/c i feel way behind in my skill set and my knowledge in comparision to other ppl. i feel like there is so much to learn! orientation is between 4-6 weeks but we can request more time. pt ratio is 5:1. i will be working the night shift. is that enough time for orientating? when do you begin to feel comfortable? any advice on how to get the most out of this experience. i want to be good at my job and i just would like any advice about your experiences. thanks!

you begin to feel comfortable when you don't have preceptors barking orders at you all day long, when you're on your own you will feel comfortable.....don't be afraid to go on your own because there will always be someone there to ask just as if you were still orienting. just not someone looking over your shoulder all the time. just be sure to ask questions....always, even after orientation is over.

you'll be so surprised as to how soon you'll learn this stuff. ivs everything will come so easy after you do a few. time managment will be the biggest issue for you, but after you start nights, it will be much better conducive to learning. take care and hang in there. this is the toughest time. the sooner you can get off orientation the better off you'll be. or that's the way it was in my case. one more week of orientation and i would have quit. it was awful.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Acute Rehab.

Hi gninab! That site is fabulous, thanks so much.:bow:

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