Starting at a doctor's office next week...

mommyof2Tees · Jul 19, 2012

Just wanted to say congratulations on landing a job. I'm sure it will all come back to you as you begin working. At least this will give you some experience and will help to build on your resume. All the best to you.

norrislpn · Jul 19, 2012

Thank you for the words of encouragement :) She already told me they will provide me with 2 weeks of "shadowing" to get the hang of everything, but they are willing to go up to 4 weeks if need be. That makes me feel a bit better, I just wish I felt a little more confident in myself

rayshettabrown · Jul 20, 2012

Congrats!!!

WldChrry · Jul 22, 2012

Don't worry so much. Even experienced nurses may feel out of their comfort zone when they switch to a different specialty. I worked LTC for over a year, and I just started in a Dr.'s office in May. It was a definite change, and I'm still adjusting....but that's what nursing is all about...hands on learning, while applying knowledge you have accquired through school and work experience. You will do just fine, it's normal to be nervous;)

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Jul 22, 2012

The good news about shadowing is that there is someone there to 'cast' that shadow! In other words, you will not be alone AND there will be someone to ask questions of. NO ONE goes into a new job totally prepared - so much of nursing is on the job training. Congrats and best wishes.

pink_shoes99 · Jul 23, 2012

my first job after nursing school was at a Dr's office. I was extremely nervous, but my biggest mistake was thinking they expected me to know everything. Don't be embarrassed if you don't, I have worked in the same office for over a year now and still have questions! Congrats on the job and good luck! And remember, when in doubt, google!

notmanydaysoff · Jul 23, 2012

my first job out of school was (and still is) working in the float pool. I work in urgent care and also in various clinics. you need to understand that you will not know all there is to know about every single thing that you will be exposed to.

what will be important is how quickly you catch on, your ability to learn by watching and then doing, being open to learning new things, gleening from your mentors, and applying all that when needed.

for the first couple months, I carried around a little notebook with all kinds of information about protocols, table set-ups, what injections to give deep IM vs IM vs SQ, etc.

and if the office you'll be working in is totally EMR, then hopefully you are computer savvy and will pick up on the nuances of whatever program(s) you'll be using. I currently work with about 5 EMRs. confusing? not now but it really was kind of a PITA to become familiar with all of them. but my ability to work in the various programs has only made me more valuable.

another handy little tidbit, when unsure about a particular tx, a good resource for me was youtube. one day, I was sent to occupational health and had to do TB tests. yikes! I hadn't done an ID injection since school and wasn't 100% sure about needle placement, depth, etc. the only thing I could remember was how to position the bevel. so I looked it up on youtube and voila! learned how to do it - no problem. that day, I had to do about a half dozen of them.

I've also done this when in doubt about how to use an Epi-pen, a new and unfamiliar type of IV catheter set, and rhino rocket for nose bleeds, just to name a few. one place I worked had me preparing laceration trays for the autoclave. I had never done one before....youtube to the rescue, again! it also helped that I tore an existing set apart to see how things were placed in the kit, but the video really helped.

I always have a drug book handy and refer to it ALOT.

use whatever resources you have available. hopefully you will catch on quick and be an asset in your workplace.

I'm still a new nurse. only been doing it for about 7 mos, but I'm definetly able to hold my own at this point.

my best to you!