aheiskill

On day shift the ratio is 1:5-6, Nights 1:8-10, and we have Oncology, ERSD, Step-down Cardiac, and some ortho.

I recently graduated from RN school. I have my temporary license, and will take NCLEX the end of FEb. My problem is transitioning to RN from tech. I have been a CNA since 2000, and a Nurse Tech for 1 year. Now, I am orientating as an RN and trying to learn what is expected of me on my floor. The problem is, I am working on the same floor I was a tech and CNA on. The CNA's and floor secretary don't understand why I can't just drop what I am doing and go help with the aide work. I am torn, between helping them, and learning my new position. Part of me wants to just jump in and help, but part of me feels like if I leave the RN that is trying to orientate me, I am not going to get the info I need to do my new job. If it is a safety issue, I do go and help. If someone needs to go to the bathroom, I try to go and help. But I have drawn a line with things like getting ice and blankets. Any advice for a new nurse/old aide?

I am a new graduate nurse, due to take NCLEX within the next month. When I signed up for my job it was an Oncology/Ortho floor. Now due to radical changes it is a Renal/step down Cardiac floor and the Nurse patient ratio is 1:8-10 on a 33 bed unit with 1-2 CNA's. Needless to say, I am a little intimidated by the whole thing because the most patients I took care of in clinicals is 3. Most of the other floors are worse (or so I have heard). Any advice?