rnme2013

I eat breakfast during the drive home to stay awake during the 1 hr commute. Take a shower when I get home then 5 mg of melatonin (phone ringers turned down). That will keep me asleep until about 2 or 3 pm. I also incorporate a quick workout (30 mins) and that keeps me energized.

Good luck, I think you will really do well. Just some professional advice, I wouldn't discuss the reason for the switch I. Preceptors with anyone eels beside management. You don't want to burn a bridge with a coworker.

While I am not assigned on a NICU, I can relate to that anxious feeling you have with your preceptor. I was halfway through my orientation when I realized it wasn't me but my preceptor. I don't think she's a bad person but she would be best suited to teaching an experienced nurse as opposed to a new grad. She would rush me thorough everything this not allowing me to think for myself and I felt and acted very insecure under her leadership. Thankfully I work with a supportive group and when my request to switch preceptors was granted I felt as if I had grown wings and I soared through the remaining half of orientation. One thing to note is that orientation is like being in nursing school all over again. Use your textbooks as your guide. And as mentioned above a good brain sheet will greatly benefit you. Going in to work 30 mins early also helped me so that I could look up my assignment, pt orders, and get myself organized.

Mother/baby rn here. I completed a 6 week fellowship that combined clinical hours with a preceptor as well as 4-6 hrs per week of instruction. Class topics included: assessments, fetal heart strips, complications to include case studies and mock codes. We also had skills classes like IV and foley insertions.

We have a 1:4 couplet ratio. As soon as I can after admission, I teach moms how to hold baby, perform hand expression (which really encourages them when they see they have milk). I get the significant other involved in the teaching and have them practice with me in the room. We are also fortunate to have lactation consultants on the unit and we offer a breast feeding class that we invite our moms to attend.