Orientation- What to expect

[LoveNursing1]

I am starting orientation this week and will be working with a preceptor for 8 weeks on an ICU stepdown unit. I am really nervous!

I was wondering- how does it work with the preceptor. As a senior student I would take 1-2 patients and do most of their care, but administered meds and did dressings or procedures under my preceptors direct supervision.

Now, as a new RN what am I to expect- are there things that I still need to do under supervision? Or can I just take all patients and do the total care???

Thanks for your help.

[rn-jane]

Welcome to nursing! I'm a preceptor for our stepdown and icu units. What i expect from my orientees are a willingness to learn and being open to new ideas. There are many things you will be learning so try not to grasp everything at once. I usually give orientees a shadow day as their first day and i will give them just one patient when we start out. I will assess your patient as well at first and check your charting and will frequently give you new experiences that arise on the floor. Yes i will be constantly quizzing you and sometimes you may feel overwhelmed so if you do please let me know. I will be watching you give your meds and when i feel you are comfortable with that i will step back a bit so you can be on your own. We will do dressing changes and procedures together at first, there are many things you need signed off on. Eventually you will take the full load, don't rush it. By the time your orientation period is over you will be ready to fly, if not let me and your manager know and we will give you more time. Good luck on orientation.