Orientation.

miko014 · Mar 11, 2008

I'm not sure what your question is. If you're worried about going with the unit secretary, that's pretty normal. If you're worried that you had to help on the floor or do "CNA things", that has to be done sometimes. If you only have one CNA for 21 pts, I'm really not surprised that they needed you to pitch in. If you're worried that you don't have a set preceptor, that's pretty typical too. I personally had 9 different ones (though that was awhile ago :nuke:). On my floor it's not unusual to have 2 or 3 people. I actually think that helped me because I learned several differnt ways to organize things, and I put them all together and came up with my own system. I'm also not surprised that they didn't toss you into the trenches on your first day, it sounds like you did learn something - what your unit will be like on crazy days. It all sounds pretty normal to me...start you off on the computer, but you had to help out on the floor. I'm sure you'll be doing the nursing side of things soon. Are you a new grad? Have you had any "non-floor" orientation such as computer classes or other orientation to the hospital policies, etc? Were you a CNA before? Did you work on that unit before you graduated? Good luck!

megananne7 · Mar 11, 2008

Thanks.

I guess I am just scared that everyday I am set to LEARN things from the preceptor, I'll be getting VS, FSBS, giving baths and changing linens (I also spent 1 hr sitting with a pt 1-on-1 b/c he was a safety risk - ETOH abuser, constantly trying to get up).

I didn't work as a CNA or in a hospital before. I am a new grad RN. I had my LPN for a year and have approx. 9 mo. experience only in Assisted Living. I had never even been on the unit before, didn't know any of the nurses yet... no assigned pts. It was just kind of like "oh, here's a list of room #s, can you get FSBS on them?"

Believe me, I have NO issues with helping out, NO issues with CNAs/PCTs (I think they are way underpaid!!).. I am just concerned I won't get what I need b/c of constantly being short staffed. :uhoh21:

CHATSDALE · Mar 11, 2008

sometimes when you start out and they see you they see an extra pair of hands and they utilize you but you are not really learning anything about the floor

if you worked in al then you really have nothing to relat to as far as a busy floor can be

give it a few days, observe some of the other nurses, ask if you can accompany them on med rounds

learning from a ward clerk who knows their stuff can be a blessing when you are trying to take off orders or check behind someone else

you have to sign off on orders and you will be responsible for any errors anyone else makes

all in all i have spent days like this and it is not at all unusual

good luck, things will improve

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Mar 11, 2008

The work has to be done by somebody and if you are the most likely candidate then you are being overpaid for your duties, but so what. You are learning the facility and the protocols. And they are learning if you are a team player or not.

miko014 · Mar 12, 2008

I'm sure you'll be fine. Very few of the new nurses I have seen/precepted (new grad or not) jump to taking patients right out of the gate. And don't worry that you haven't learned everything in the first week, because most of us learn something new every day. They'll have you taking patients with a preceptor soon...and be glad you're learning what the CNAs do...sometimes they have nurses fill in for them if they have too many RNs and not enough CNAs. Some people hate that, but I don't mind the break - after all, they are paying me RN pay to do it!

megananne7 · Mar 12, 2008

I'm sure you'll be fine. Very few of the new nurses I have seen/precepted (new grad or not) jump to taking patients right out of the gate. And don't worry that you haven't learned everything in the first week, because most of us learn something new every day. They'll have you taking patients with a preceptor soon...and be glad you're learning what the CNAs do...sometimes they have nurses fill in for them if they have too many RNs and not enough CNAs. Some people hate that, but I don't mind the break - after all, they are paying me RN pay to do it!

Well, I figured I had learned everything CNAs did since that's pretty much all I did while in nursing school -- beds, baths, FSBS, etc. And working in ALF for a year, a lot of what I did was things CNAs did... a lot of baths, changing linens. The only "nursing" responsibility I did was pass meds.

I work again tomorrow and Friday, so hopefully I'll have a good day and learns lots of new stuff =)

miko014 · Mar 13, 2008

I didn't mean learning the skills, I meant learning the routine, seeing what they have to do, in case you ever have to help out as a CNA - then you don't have to run around asking people what to do. Just give it time, you'll be fine, and you will never, ever stop learning.

Dad-2-3 · Mar 13, 2008

Does anyone have suggestions for me?

I can't really say much because I'm in orientation myself, but my advice is that while you are standing around waiting, take the oppurtunity to study the admit paperwork/discharge paperwork for your unit, or after report is given let everyone know you would be happy to come watch/assist c any bedside procedures, start IV's, ngtubes etc. I'm never standing around waiting while I'm on the unit. I'm always looking for ways to learn something.

Good luck with your orientation. I'm sure you will be fine. :)