samiracat1958

Tried an 8-week orientation time on a busy med-surg unit, and sweeties, it ain't working! This ole gal can't work fast enough on med-surg with highly acute patients...and my confidence has tanked. BIGTIME. Going to be job-hunting----there's only med-surg jobs available at the hospital---and am scared purple. What sort of nursing areas might be good for a slow-coach-sort BSN-RN? Leaning more towards clinic-type, home settings, or towards a more chronic patient.... My first 6 years in nursing were spent primarily "nursing charts", along with assessments of chronic pts. in home settings. (Developmentally disabled persons.) Good work, but burned out and took a couple years stopout, then returned to work. Yes, I took a refresher course before trying hospital nursing. Needed every bit of help possible.... Strengths: Don't mind detailed paperwork--in fact, I enjoy it--and have analytical mind. Love teaching (professional Red Cross instructor). It's a cliche, but I ***really like*** being able to nurture and "cuddle" patients when caring for them. Weaknesses: Can't handle med-surg speeds in a hospital. Very little acute care experience. Would greatly appreciate any/all suggestions about areas to try and/or areas to avoid. Thanks a million!

Try "acid mantle" cream---your pharmacists will know what it is....(non-prescription, but a lot of stuff can be added to it in terms of medications). My sister in law, a NICU nurse, got us turned onto it. See about getting maybe 1/4 pound or so---a full pound can set you back $80 or more, even as over the counter!---but a little goes a LONG way, and it's fantastic.

Background: Nursing--2nd career; went from schl to community-based nsg (stable chronic walkie-talkie pts, paper charting, long-term care), so my med-surg/hospital exp. is nearly 10 years "old". (Took an RN refresher, but there was only abt a week of hands-on at hospital--the one I'm working.) Hired abt a month ago for 7p-7a FT slot on a lively 30-bed med-surg HOSPITAL unit that takes some peds (but I won't have to cope with peds for a while, thank heaven). Computer charting; just trying out computerized MARs. (Urk.) Manager, assistant manager hired me KNOWING I'd be slow and would need "new grad style" orientation....no problem there. Floor nurses on nights really nice, supportive, but we're short, even with ppl orienting. I ***really*** need to pick up multi-patient speed AND more experience with all sorts of practical hands-on skills. (I learned them long ago; just haven't had chance to practice them----and am terrified of "breaking the patient".) After 2 orientation weeks on nights (patient care, admissions, etc.), my assist. manager talked with me and suggested switching my orient. sched to days, with a preceptor who is reported to be "awesome" in terms of being organized, fast, and a good teacher. Part of rationale was "if you can swing day shift, nights will be a breeze". Also simply more RESOURCES/people on day shift; we've been stretched thin on nights. Also frankly lots more hands-on stuff on days, so lots of procedures, meds, etc. AwesomeNurse is willing to precept and is aware of my background. I said yes to try it; it'd be a little unnerving and scary but would give it old nursing school shot. Really WANT to do well (it's actually sort of fun on the floor, once the jitters resolve) and the staff sure seems supportive. But am actually scared: howinheck am I gonna learn time-management stuff on 6 pts (normal load) PLUS orientation stuff AND sharpen task skills/speed on DAYTIMES?????? Fast-paced, lively DAYS?? Words of wisdom, experiences from other "slow scared starters", suggestions to keep from being strangled with a stethoscope? HELP!

Greetings, y'all! HELP!!!!! Starting med-surg (nights) orientation in a couple weeks, and very, very, very nervous. Middle-aged retread for nursing--6 years exp. RN---ALL in community-based setting, w/chronic outpatients, and lots of case management. (Wanna see me nurse a chart?---a whiz at THAT.) My NM knows I have effectively **no** acute med-surg experience (had a college "refresher class", but only a week on the floor). Unit is very willing to work with me & treat me like new grad with orientation and precepting, thank goodness. My time management skills for floor nursing are, well, uuh,....HELP!!!!! We have computerized Kardexes. Charting will be on computer; MARs are not yet computerized; we have Pyxis. Would any of you darling people who "have your nursing acts together" (ohman, I am so jealous) be willing to show me visuals of what your "daily brain" (report sheet, to do list, whatever you call it)---looks like? I've seen a lot of comments about what people INCLUDE in theirs--- but am afraid I'd build a 15-pager....and why reinvent the wheel? Don't know if they can be posted here (for other people to see and say, "ooh, neat, I'm swiping THAT one!", or if there's links, or if e-mails are easier, or what. But anything that will help me get a 12-hour shift's work done in less than 18 is on the side of the angels! Thanks!