Orientation Med/Surg

[stepaukob]

I have a question concerning med-surg orientation. I have a year and half med-surg experience in one facility and wanted to learn from a different facility to increase my knowledge in hopes to make the transition to travel easier.

In being new to the facility, the performing of tasks is not the problem. What seems difficult is finding all the phone numbers to various depts and physicians and learning the computer and charting systems (and I feel like I am computer literate, it's just a new system).

My question for those who travel is how do you guys enter a new facility and "jump in" with only a few hours/shifts? I feel like I could function quite easily except for the computer searching, documention, searching for phone numbers, etc...

I am guessing that the first few weeks of a new assignment consists of asking other staff members for these simple questions. Also, does anyone get in early to orient themselves to floor layout, documentation, or whatever?

I am going in on my third day today and I think I could function with no more orientation but I would still need to ask many questions concerning all the petty stuff that isn't patient care. Thanks for any input.

[spankssnowbunny]

I think that is normal. I've been on my current assignment for four weeks now and while I have mastered the computer so far, I'm still asking where to find certain things and phone numbers for certain areas. Our unit doesn't have phone lists posted visibly, so that is what makes it difficult.

[OkieICU_RN]

I have basically decided how I want my orientation day or days to go. I like to follow the nurse around for the entire day every single time s/he goes into a patient room, makes a phone call, gets something from supply, gets lunch, etc. I work in ICU so it may be a little different that other units. Sometimes I have been put with a nurse who has the sickest patient(s) in the unit but I find that doesn't lead to a good orientation day because they are busy keeping a patient alive! I know how to take care of sick patients so it's easier for me if I am with slower paced patients to get the best learning experience.

If there are no lists of numbers I write down important ones that she tells me I will use frequently (the paging numbers for docs, phlebotomy, RT, pharmacy, supply, etc.). I usually carry a little pocket notebook and write down anything and everything she tells me to remember.

I usually don't get the system down pat until the week before my contract is done!! I finally have figured out by that time which docs like what, etc.

Everywhere I have been, the other nurses have been very willing to help with any question that I have. They want you to be able to jump right in and take care of patients, but they don't expect you to know how to use everything like their core staff who probably get 1-2 weeks of just hospital orientation and then more on the floor.

If you think you are set after 3 days of orientation where you are, then you will likely do just fine with a travel assigment.

[stepaukob]

I usually don't get the system down pat until the week before my contract is done!!

If you think you are set after 3 days of orientation where you are, then you will likely do just fine with a travel assigment.

I feel much better now after hearing that because that's how I was feeling (especially the part about getting it down pat the week before the contract is done:lol2:). Thanks for responses and support