Suggestions for new med surg nurse?

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Happy New Year everyone! I wanted to know if anyone had any suggestions for me, as I just got hired as a Med Surg - Days nurse and will be starting orientation in February. My "experience" is ~2 years of endoscopy nurse experience at an ambulatory center and 1 year of telephonic nursing (Nurse Liaison). As you can see based on my "experience", I really don't have that hands on nursing experience other than what I had from nursing school which was a few years ago.

I'm excited but also very nervous at the same time because I feel like a new grad so I would appreciate any sort of advice/suggestions (stuff to review) from others on this forum! Thank you in advance and I hope everyone had happy holidays and a happy new year

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Welcome to the craziness!

Your IV skills are probably far better off than any new grads and you already have the communication piece down pat.

I think you will be ok.

I think time management is going to be your biggest challenge. What will your ratios be? I hope not more than 1:5. That 6th patient just pushes things over the top.

Get ready to start running, hold your breath, and not stop til it's time to give report.

Find/make good brain sheet.

Keep a little notebook for doctor's cell phone numbers as they are divulged to you.

I used a clipboard with a storage compartment for my first year as an RN.

Brush up on your assessment skills.

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I actually have only done 30 IVs while as an endoscopy medical assistant (although I already had my RN license) prior to being hired as an RN so I don't really have much IV skill experience. Although, the 30 that I did do, I probably only missed 2? Not sure if that's good or bad. And I drew blood twice but that was like 2-3 years ago sigh. The manager also mentioned nothing about me doing IVs and I know some hospitals have a specific IV team? I'm hoping they will train me with IVs though!

I remember during nursing school clinicals, having a little sheet of notes on each patient helped a lot. The manager told me the ratio is 1:6-7 lol so I don't know what's going to happen with that. I'm already expecting myself to be crying every night for at least my first month working but I feel like it's good to have med surg under my belt.

Thank you for your suggestions!

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

Skipping lunch and holding your bladder until you explode will NOT improve your nursing practice. You need to take care of yourself. Besides, it takes what, 90 seconds to void? You do have time. :up:

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Perhaps during January you could review head to toe assessments, lung sounds, iv inserts, etc on youtube? There are some really excellent channels and you might brush off some cobwebs! If you have the luxury and the $ a good basic review like Hurst would also help to freshen your assessment skills.

Best of luck!

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Perhaps during January you could review head to toe assessments, lung sounds, iv inserts, etc on youtube? There are some really excellent channels and you might brush off some cobwebs! If you have the luxury and the $ a good basic review like Hurst would also help to freshen your assessment skills.

Best of luck!

Oh yeah, forgot YouTube has a lot of great information. Hurst is the online review right? I think I used that to prepare for the NCLEX and loved it! Thank you.

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Specializes in CCRN.

Never be afraid to ask for help/ask questions. Even the most experienced nurses have questions!

Good luck!

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

With a nurse/patient ratio of 1 to 6 or 7, you'll need to work extremely quickly. You'll need to master the five-minute head-to-toe assessment.

You'll also need to limit the amount of time you spend with each patient unless an emergent situation arises. As cold as this seems, they're not our friends.

Good luck to you!

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Specializes in Public Health, Med/Surg.

Good advice! I am starting on a med surg floor later this month. I have been working in public health for about 5 months now. I am really excited/nervous to start on med surg.

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Good advice! I am starting on a med surg floor later this month. I have been working in public health for about 5 months now. I am really excited/nervous to start on med surg.

I'm really excited/nervous too! Good luck to us haha! I'm worried about patient safety with the 1:6/7 ratio so I hope I learn how to time manage and assess quickly. Are you a new grad since you said you did public health for 5 months?

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Specializes in Public Health, Med/Surg.

Yes I just graduated in August 2015. I believe our ratio is 1:6/7 too. I'll be in orientation on days for 4 weeks, then 4-6 weeks more orientation on nights. After orientation, I'll be on night shift permanently. Hoping my body will adjust to that change.. Lol

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Specializes in Public Health, Med/Surg.

Yes I just graduated in August 2015. I believe our ratio is 1:6/7 too. I'll be in orientation on days for 4 weeks, then 4-6 weeks more orientation on nights. After orientation, I'll be on night shift permanently. Hoping my body will adjust to that change.. Lol

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