Procedures to brush up on

[zerooooo]

Will be starting my first job on a Med-Surg floor. What procedures/skills should I brush up on? Thank You!

[Savvy20RN, BSN, RN]

That depends on the floor you'll be working on. There are different skills for Ortho versus Neuro or Oncology. While working on Ortho for two years I did all of the following:

Foley Insertion

IV insertion

NG tube placement

Remove PICC line

PICC drsg change

Removed JP, Hemovac drains (emptied them as well)

Wet to Dry dressings, Dry dressing changes

Suction Pt.

Rectal tube insertion

Hung blood...(I did this ALOT)

Hung TPN, PPN, Lipids

Wound vac drsg change

Setting IV pumps/PCA

Blood glucose checks

Giving meds via all routes (PO, IM, IV, Topical, rectal, SQ)

Setting up over head trapeze

Make sure you know your general head to toe assessments.

The list goes on and on. You'll learn all of this on the job so don't be alarmed. The nurses on the floor should be willing to help. :)

[zerooooo]

thank you! now back to studying.

[dorselm]

Also, you want to study lab values, you must know what is abnormal because you will need to notify the MD to get orders to correct imbalances. You should try to arrive 1/2 hr early to check the labs, vitals, to see what orders still need to be completed and to make sure all meds were given on the previous shift. Then, get report, identify the times that meds are due, check to see what new orders there are, if you are on a telemetry unit, interpret your strips and then start your shift! Good Luck!