Questions: for working, new or experienced RN's

EricJRN, MSN, RN · Jul 4, 2006

First, the doubts (and even nightmares) are quite common. While I don't have any particular theme to my own dreams of incompetence, I had a friend who was a student athletic trainer at a very large Division I university. He had this recurring dream that a football player was injured, in the middle of the field, in front of a sellout crowd, and he was the only available trainer. All my friend could ever say or do (in the dream) was repeat, 'I don't know what to do. I don't know what to do.' So trust me, your thoughts are not silly or rare.

Your unit may have high expectations of you, but they should be aware that you're a new nurse and plan to guide you accordingly. Where I work (NICU) as a fairly new grad, the more experienced nurses always try to keep an ear peeled in the direction of the newbies. I assume your coworkers will be the same way, or else you wouldn't have chosen to continue working there. One of the most important skills to develop: Knowing when you need to ask for more help.

rninme · Jul 4, 2006

and remember, the only DUMB question is the one you DIDN'T ask!

I can remember being scared out of my mind...afraid that I was going to do something stupid and cause irrepairable harm to one of my patients. I think that all conscientious (sp???) nurses feel that way.

I, for one, would much rather work with a new grad that feels the way you do....rather than the one that thinks he/she knows it all...and has nothing new to learn...(yes, I have precepted a couple of the knows-it-all type and they scare the sh** out of me!)

Take a big deep breath....focus on what your preceptor is telling you...and learn. You'll do fine!!

AussieKylie · Jul 7, 2006

I am in the same boat as DSplendid. I will be starting August 7th in Cardiothoracic ward. I am excited and yet scared too as I feel like a fish out of water.

In regards to asking questions, i always ask questions but sometimes I feel that if I ask alot of questions to get clarification I feel annoyance from others. So you cant always win.

What I fear is that my preceptorship isnt long enough that I wont cope within the role as RN.

Already I am having reoccuring thoughts about doing handovers and IV pumps or not being able to work out a medication calculation of a particular required drug. Feel like I am gonna screw up big time.

I hope once in the role, that all my fears die away.

I wish us Newbies the best.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Jul 8, 2006

sn_2b_rn. . .here is a short article with very simple advice on handover report.

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3689/is_200406/ai_n9425820 - get an a+ on end-0f-shift report

here are some older threads with advice on handover report:

https://allnurses.com/forums/f15/giving-getting-report-161697.html (in the ccu forum)

https://allnurses.com/forums/f30/giving-getting-report-161695.html (in the micu and sicu forum)

https://allnurses.com/forums/f15/shift-report-form-3445.html (in the ccu forum)

https://allnurses.com/forums/f15/shift-report-form-3434.html (in the ccu forum)

https://allnurses.com/forums/f224/shift-report-130221.html

https://allnurses.com/forums/f224/tough-time-giving-report-139929-2.html

https://allnurses.com/forums/f8/end-shift-report-116969.html

https://allnurses.com/forums/f8/how-can-i-give-good-report-110515.html

https://allnurses.com/forums/f8/what-best-way-take-report-new-nurse-111414.html

https://allnurses.com/forums/f224/afraid-giving-report-need-adivse-please-120811.html

https://allnurses.com/forums/f8/worst-information-given-shift-report-123923.html

https://allnurses.com/forums/f8/idea-change-shift-report-form-128822.html

https://allnurses.com/forums/f50/handover-report-137980.html

i have posted this link to a report sheet that i use, but it is for working with 6 patients on a medical unit. you are welcome to download and copy it. unless the unit you are going to be working on already has a handover sheet that you can use, you might just want to create your own. i have been creating my own report sheets for years. at first, using a simple manual typewriter up to today, using the table formatting of microsoft word.

attachment 5032 (report sheet)

DSplendid · Jul 11, 2006

Thank you so much DaytoNite.....

leixlip · Jul 12, 2006

I just started my first hospital job, RN residency!! I am orienting with 3 weeks of classroom with alternative clinicals then we do 3 rotations to different units before going to our home unit. Anyone else doing a residents program?

DSplendid · Jul 12, 2006

Wow...that is new to me...I'm doing something different. I'm doing 3 days of classroom..to start...orientating to hospital equipment etc. then working 3 months with my preceptor, and then 2 months of more classes on and off. It used to be (stopped just as I started) orientation with a preceptor was 6 mo. and 3 mo. of classes....I don't know what happen...I just hope I feel comfortable in 3 mo.

rnccm, RN · Jul 20, 2006

It's pretty much a given that you SHOULD be scared. Hopefully scared equals careful. The preceptor I had "turned me loose" with her there to answer questions if I had them after the second day of going around with me and observing my skills, bedside manner, ability to chart ect. Once she was comfortable.....she kicked me out of the nest.

MIA-RN1, RN · Jul 20, 2006

Is it normal to be scared out of my mind ?

Sure! You are entering a whole new world, you don't know the unit culture, you don't know who your friends are (or arent!) and you are not familiar with any of the paperwork etc. If you weren't scared, then you should be worried.

Do the preceptors expect a lot from you?

Depends on the preceptor. I have been working with several. Some insist on following me around and checking all my charting and telling me what to do, others say "come and get me when you need me" so it really depends on the person precepting you. One would hope you come with basic nursing knowledge/skills relevant to your specialty but I have found on a whole, nursing instructors are more demanding than coworkers are. something to remember tho, everyone thinks their way is best. So you will be exposed to lots of people saying "Well, I do it this way" and whatever 'it' is, you will be expected to do it that way while you work with that specific person. Just do it and learn. You will find your own way that works best for you as well.

How did you feel, and when did you get comfortable?

Well, I got comfortable last night lol. Seriously. We were short two nurses, my preceptor got grand jury duty for a few weeks and so I was given 3 mother/baby couplets and an antepartum and told to ask anyone for help if I needed it. This was probably my 5th or 6th time working with mother/baby patients. (I did a week or so in NBN first, and before that was 2 weeks of classroom) I was nervous and the charge really made sure I felt capable. Nervous and capable are not mutually exclusive, I learned. My patients survived me, and I survived them! :)

Any advice...

Well, wear comfy shoes, bring an extra pen, keep at least one powerbar in your locker and have some gum or breathmints. And eat before you go to work even if you're not hungry.

Seriously tho, just go with the open mind that you had in school, and realize that every single nurse you are working with was a new nurse once as well. Be friendly to everyone and confide in no-one, and make friends with the techs! It is a HUGE team effort between techs and nurses and when you all get along, everyone is happy.

Oh, and make up an assignment sheet that works for you.

Good luck! It looks like you started this week! :)

mom and nurse · Jul 20, 2006

It's normal to be scared. I've worked two years as an RN...... I remember the fear though of actually having my own patient load....(Yikes). The fear lessened day by day.... Now tasks that used to scare me I routinely perform.... :)

AussieKylie · Jul 21, 2006

I really hope that will be the same case for me.