Starting My 1st Nursing Job Monday

NC Girl BSN · Jul 2, 2009

Started mine 9 weeks ago. Hospital Orientation was one week. Brush up on dose calculations because they will probably give you a test. Also we had computer training on the last day. Orientation was extremly boring. There were several people from various departments that can in a spoke.

The second week we had unit orientation. It was a long week. We were oriented to our unit polices. We also had to do about 100 learning link modules on the computer. The last day we shadowed our preceptor for a 12 hr shift. The next week we started precepting and learning the nursing thing.

Congratulations and enjoy orientation. Nursing is hard but its what I chose to do. The only thing that I don't like about my preceptors is that they want me to do everything when they want me to do it. I can't wait to be on my own so I can establish my own routine. Its gonna be tough but everyone is supportive and willing to help so I think I will do fine.

CrufflerJJ, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Jul 2, 2009

I'm also starting next week!

The first week is just classroom/clinical skill checkoff stuff. The next 5 weeks will be spent with my preceptor on a med/surg floor.

Should be scary/fun/exciting/intimidating/scary/fun!

mzjennx, BSN, RN · Jul 5, 2009

Hi there. I am a new grad RN that has also just started working my first RN job on a med-surg floor last week. I was so nervous. I never imagine myself as a med-surg nurse, but with the way the economy is, I wanted to get a job in the hospital first before I decided to specalize in maybe pediatrics or labor and delivery. Who knows I might like med-surg.

My first week was hospital orientation. I work for Kaiser Permanente (California based hospital and insurance company) so they introduce me to the insurance and the hospital history. Then I had computer training for about 3 days before I had orientation on the unit. My training is very informal. It is not like a residency program like Versant or something with a strict contract and classroom session, precertorship/mentor. I will just get training for 6 to 8 weeks and then I will be let loose to the nursing world.

My first day on the unit I shadow a nurse. The second day I did assessments with my nurse preceptor. Then the rest of the day I went over unit policies and procedures and more orientation training, modules, and video. The 3rd and 4th day I had my own patients, 3rd day 1 patient and 4th day 2 patients. I did my own assessments, pass meds, talk to doctors, teach patients and discharge a patient. If my nurse preceptor or other nurses had a procedure for me to do, I was able to do it so I can get signed off on my checklist. Also since I am now licenses, I had to sign all my orders, meds, and progress notes with RN at the end. My frst week was pretty awesome. Cant believe I am not a student any more. I am the "registered" nurse. I can check the PCA, and blood product with the other RN. I can pass the meds with the 5 rights of med administration, without the other RN hovering around me.

I got urine, and blood splash, and a confuse patient all on my in my first week. It made me nervouse at first because I was no longer the student, but it nice to know that after all the hard work in nursing school and studying for the NCLEX, that I am actually working as a RN now. It is a good feeling, very accomplishing feeling! I dont really like med-surg, but I think I could learn to enjoy it. I will enjoy working as a RN= real nurse!

Jules A, MSN · Jul 5, 2009

They are all different. I did a week of general orientation with all new hires and then was on the floor with a preceptor for 6 shifts. Many congratulations!!