Should I take notes during Nursing Orientation?

Nurses General Nursing

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Hi! This is my first post.

I am a new grad and recently got hired at a big hospital on the Neuro floor. I begin my orientation March 26th, and it should last about 8-10 weeks. Maybe I'm being silly, but should I take notes during this time? Like bring a journal with me and write things down when I have a minute?? I just want to make sure I do everything the right way that I was taught when I am on my own.

Thanks! God Bless.

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Specializes in Care Coordination, MDS, med-surg, Peds.

Yep. Take notes and ask questions. Listen more than you speak. Know that you are new and the others aren't. Don't judge the practice of more experienced nurses, but ask for clarification if something seems "off" to you. Best wishes in your new job!!

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Thank you so much!! I'm just ready to be a sponge and absorb all of this new knowledge, this is such big opportunity for me!

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Take notes. Use them later to make yourself a cheat sheet. I recently went back to acute care after many years and was met with a computer. Very rude awakening. Those notes saved my ass with figuring out how to navigate that darn thing. Funny thing is, the system is one of the oldest ones out there, you would think it'd be an easier one for me to figure out (since I like buttons and not touch screens)....nope!

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I truly appreciate your feedback!! I am an avid note taker about so many things (I like to stay organized). I just didn't know if I would look silly or something doing it, just one of those things a new nurse worries about I guess lol

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If it helps you remember things, yes...

There are other ways to show you're engaged and learning though (volunteering for duties, helping out as much as you can, asking questions, looking up stuff on your own). Find what works for you.

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I truly appreciate your feedback!! I am an avid note taker about so many things (I like to stay organized). I just didn't know if I would look silly or something doing it, just one of those things a new nurse worries about I guess lol
just have the small notebook clipped on to your clipboard. No one will notice, that clipboard is our ‘brain'. Try carrying your brain in your pocket, find out how many times you will leave it in the med room, supply room, etc, and you'll keep it on your clipboard-or you will go out any buy that clipboard, so that you don't misplace it again. Losing that creates a panic you've never felt before!
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I truly appreciate your feedback!! I am an avid note taker about so many things (I like to stay organized). I just didn't know if I would look silly or something doing it, just one of those things a new nurse worries about I guess lol

More important: Start training yourself right now to not worry whether someone else thinks something that is perfectly reasonable, is silly.

Do what you know is right, do what you have to do to be excellent, and do NOT let yourself get in the habit of worrying whether someone else wants to try to make you feel inferior for doing it.

Congrats, and best wishes!

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Specializes in Varied.

Another thing I'd ask about is nursing brains. Some of the nurses on the unit will have various ways they manage their patients and the information given to them. Some floors have standard ones, but you will learn what you want on yours. I would HEAVILY recommend asking to see others so you can get a feel of what floor nurses find important.

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