tomorrow is the big day...YIKES!! HELP!!!

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Hello everybody...well tomorrow is the BIG day...my first day of work. I wrote another post a while back about how stupid I feel. That has changed somewhat. I certainly don't feel ready, but I did pass nursing school and the evil NCLEX, so I couldn't possibly be stupid...like someone said, I'm just inexperienced!

I'm writing to see if anybody has any good advice about what I should be doing during this orientation.Any tricks that helped you get through it. I know I will feel overwhelmed, as well as uncomfortable, unsure, and lots of other scary, scary emotions, so please tell me what you did to make it through...

OBTW I will be working in a behavioral facility, so any psych nurses out there? I would love to hear how you handle stressful situations, and what you think is the most important thing for me to remember as I learn the ropes???thanks in advance

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Specializes in ER, Medicine.

Tomorrow is my first day as well. Like you I passed nursing school and I passed the NCLEX...but the lack of experience might be the hardest challenge yet!

I can't say I'm that overwhelmed yet, as Monday and Tuesday are the general orientation days. I wont be oriented to my unit (ER) until Wednesday.

All I can do is wish you good luck...remember lots of other nurses are starting for the first time tomorrow as well! So, there's got to be a lot of people feeling a little unsure as they begin work.

But you've made it this far...obviously you've got what it takes even if it doesn't quite feel like it yet. I suppose it will just take time. Like nursing school took time to get used to and adjusted to. But in the end it will all be worth it! Good luck tomorrow!

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I wish the both of you the best of luck and congratulations!!!!

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Specializes in ICU/PCU/Infusion.

The advice I have to offer is to try to remain calm under the pressure you're both bound to be feeling. This is going to be the 1st of many, many years in nursing, and try to let yourselves enjoy the moment.

Orientation is just that. Orienting to the floor, to the position, to the facility and to your fellow staff. Be all ears and take lots of notes. Be open and honest with your preceptors about what you know and more importantly, what you don't know yet.

Be prudent, and be yourselves. You'll be great! :)

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Thanks everybody...well I did survive. I really just watched and tried to take in everything. Obviously some of it I have already forgotten, but thankfully they don't expect me to come in tomorrow and run the unit. The people were nice, I love the facility, so for a first day, I'd say it was great......One thing I found really odd....we have meetings with the doctors in the early morning. This one doctor (she is female and from another country) doesn't carry her own charts. She had me gather all the charts and put them in the meeting room. When we were done she asked me to gather them and bring them to her office for review. I almost thought that they were playing a joke on me until I asked the other nurse and she said it's a cultural thing!!! ODD considering we are in America...I'm sorry it's just so odd to me. I guess it's not a big deal, but I didn't think I would graduate nursing school and be required to carry charts for the Dr.....anybody else think this is odd???How would you handle that????????

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Specializes in peds and med/surg.
Hello everybody...well tomorrow is the BIG day...my first day of work. I wrote another post a while back about how stupid I feel. That has changed somewhat. I certainly don't feel ready, but I did pass nursing school and the evil NCLEX, so I couldn't possibly be stupid...like someone said, I'm just inexperienced!

I'm writing to see if anybody has any good advice about what I should be doing during this orientation.Any tricks that helped you get through it. I know I will feel overwhelmed, as well as uncomfortable, unsure, and lots of other scary, scary emotions, so please tell me what you did to make it through...

OBTW I will be working in a behavioral facility, so any psych nurses out there? I would love to hear how you handle stressful situations, and what you think is the most important thing for me to remember as I learn the ropes???thanks in advance

Which campus did you graduate from. Ft Myers here.

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Hi,I am a nurse who graduated from Edison in Ohio...I wish it were Florida!!!! ....

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Specializes in peds and med/surg.
Hi,I am a nurse who graduated from Edison in Ohio...I wish it were Florida!!!! ....

I'll trade you, Florida sucks.

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