Tips for a New RN who starts soon !:)

Julesmama28 · Dec 23, 2014

Congrats! Sounds like a great gig!

A&Ox6, MSN, RN · Dec 23, 2014

I compared a number of insurances, and it looks like NSO is your best bet. They have a discount for first year new grads.

mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN · Dec 23, 2014

Be a sponge and learn the good AND the bad from the veteran nurses. Don't be afraid to ask questions or clarify.

Congratulations!!

Lev, MSN, RN, NP · Dec 24, 2014

I compared a number of insurances, and it looks like NSO is your best bet. They have a discount for first year new grads.

I second NSO. I just purchased it.

Lev, MSN, RN, NP · Dec 24, 2014

I just got the call with my first job offer!!!!!!!!
So excited, yet terrified! I am going to be working the day shift on a short stay unit off of the operating room. Bonus: No nights, no holidays, no weekends. This is killer, especially for a new nurse! My unit does a lot of blood transfusions, minor surgeries and other day procedures. The unit has never had a New RN before and I am the guinea pig. I have no idea what to expect. All the nurses on the unit have been there for many years and are at least twice my age. I keep telling myself "You were selected out of over 900 applicants. They chose you. They chose you for a reason. You can do this!".... I shall end my excited and scatterbrained rant. I got the call 20 minutes ago and had to let my excitement out somehow!
Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated! I really want to be successful!
Ps. if you could recommend a private insurance 'company' to cover my nursing license that would greatly help as well. I know minimal about this, but I hear it is something that I need.

Congrats! This sounds like an excellent opportunity! Will you be recovering patients too? (Are you the PACU and floor?). How much orientation are you getting? Don't be afraid to ask for more later on if you don't feel ready to go off. Observe everything and don't be afraid to ask questions. Know your resources and seek out a mentor. Remember that there may be more than one right way to do things that may be different from what you learned in school. Always look up an unfamiliar drug before giving it. Know the reason for everything you do. Positioning and ambulation are important post op. What type of surgeries will you see?

mickeyrose912 · Dec 24, 2014

Congrats! This sounds like an excellent opportunity! Will you be recovering patients too? (Are you the PACU and floor?). How much orientation are you getting? Don't be afraid to ask for more later on if you don't feel ready to go off. Observe everything and don't be afraid to ask questions. Know your resources and seek out a mentor. Remember that there may be more than one right way to do things that may be different from what you learned in school. Always look up an unfamiliar drug before giving it. Know the reason for everything you do. Positioning and ambulation are important post op. What type of surgeries will you see?

i am still trying to understand how things work. I was told that my unit is an out patient unit, but yet on the tour i was told that we prep patients for surgery and can take them after as inpatient if there is an overload. My unit takes care of fairly stable patients that come in for day procedures such as Chemo, blood transfusions, hernia repair and circumcision for children. As i said, we do day procedures and prep patients for surgery, send them to the OR and then the patients go to the PACU and a med surge floor or us if they can go home that day. This is at least my understanding of the process.

advsmuch08 · Dec 24, 2014

Yay! Congrats on the new job! Go in with an open mind. Be willing to learn new things. Bring a little notebook to jot down things. Good luck!

RatherBHiking, BSN, RN · Dec 25, 2014

Not to be the naysayer here but just be forewarned, since all the nurses are old hats at this there may be times someone will get impatient with you for not knowing something or not doing something quicker but just keep reminding yourself you were chosen for a reason and don't let them rush you in something you aren't comfortable with. That's when mistakes happen. Also, if you don't know something it's so much better to ask than muddle through and mess something up making a mess someone else has to clean up. There's going to be lots to learn but sounds like a great opportunity! Just be patient with yourself and follow everyone's advice on here and you'll be fine!! (The notebook thing really does help!!)

scaredsilly, BSN, RN · Dec 25, 2014

All of the advise given here is great! Do not ever be afraid to ask a question, but keep notes of the answers because nurses will get irritated if you ask the same question more than once.

Before you buy insurance, check with the facility. it would seem that if it is a hospital or surgical center, they will cover you under their insurance, it very well may be an expense you do not need to incur.