stellabear

I ended up getting an extra full day of orientation per my agency. i offered to be not paid so I can feel more safe and comfortable and the hospital agreed. The agency ended up paying for my extra orientation day anyways! that full day really helped! I would ask your agency, you never know? I worked today and felt a lot more comfortable on the floor. i definitely learned from my first 3 days. this has been the experience ive wanted. I guess whatever you feel is best and more safe for you.

your hospital sounds EXACTLY like mine! trying to get new orders and charts missing!! I attempted to ask my recruiter and left a message to the ADM if i can get additional orientation, no word yet. I checked my contract, if I bail out of my contract with this hospital, I will owe the agency money. I am really stuck on what to do. Ive been in contact with another travel nurse and have been asking her questions on my days off and she has been really helpful.

it was my first three days on the floor out of my 4 week contract with them. only having 4 hours of orientation

the Manager that interviewed me failed to tell me that most of the patients were on tele and no phlebotomists. I spoke with my recruiter requesting at least a full shift orientation, to at least get used to all the paper charing and orders

I am ACLS certified, but not monitor trained and certified. I am definitely looking up a class as we speak.

I've been working in a SNF/ subacute rehab for 2 years now and landed my first travel nurse agency position at a medsurg tele in a community hospital. yes, community meaning barely any nursing aides and no phlebotomists! only 4 hours of orientation and I was on my own on DAYS! biggest mistake since its so busy. I thought i was very confident with my skills, assessments, labs, etc. 1st day, i had one patient that started on amiodarone drip fixed rate that was already hung, plus x2 IV ABX going on multiple iv sites d/t incompatibility. he had to go down for TEE to check for vegitation ( which I had to look up). 2nd pt went down for an angiogram and I was still getting used to their paper charting and orders since im use to using PCC that I missed having to notify the pt's team when pt arrived back from surgery. 2nd day was a little better in getting orders done and carried. except for no nursing aides and I had two patients total assist and on restraints. still learning their policies and documentation on restraints but I felt i hurt my back providing pt care bc it was so hard to find and extra hand to change pts. especially when an orthopedic surgeon decides to come in at 1830 end of my shift to remove a cast from a RBKA revision and blood soaked everywhere on the bed sheets and I had to change pt and bed all by myself even when I asked the charge nurse for help. 3rd day was the worst! 4 patient load 2 total cares and 2 patients on the call light, no nursing assitatnt. One patient was going crazy tachy 150- 170s d/t to his afib and tried paging the team numerous times, was able to get help in drawing cardiac enzymes did a 12 lead provided stat digoxin extra dose after am dose, IV lasix (my first time) d/t possible fluid retention. WORST THING- order to start on amiodarone titrate with loading dose ( i have never done) , another nurse ended up hanging it up for me close to end of shift because I was catching up with my other orders and medications and STAT lab draws. when giving report realized amiodarone drip was running at the wrong rate ( lower dose) and labs were not drawn prior to giving amiodarone. the nurse who hung it was not able to clarify with me on what she did before she left. luckily patient was okay, no adverse reaction but I am soo scared of losing my license. to ADD on I didnt have time to follow up on labs bc I dont have access to the computer and have to wait for everything to fax back from lab. I know I always try to ask for help and I am contracted at the hospital for a couple more weeks. even though I cried every day since I started, I have learned so much in those three days and am willing and eager to learn. I always try to be safe and look up everything before giving medications but because I am unfamiliar with some of the meds and procdures, i fall very behind. I need advice on what to do, stick it out or break my contract ?