UK to NY RN...... "scared" to work the floors

[Are You A Good Witch]

Hi everyone :)

It feels strange posting this; but hell - here goes!

I'm a UK educated nurse with 8 years of experience under my belt.

I am licensed to work in NY state & all that good stuff, but my problem is that in the 4 years that I've been here, I haven't worked the floors; everything has been private practice/ teaching. I resigned from my most recent job & I'm itching to get back to work - but I truly am scared to work the floors here for these reasons:

*It's New York.

*The nurse/patient ratio.

*All the new paperwork.

*Physical Assessment of patients (lung/heart/bowel sounds) - obviously we assessed, it just wasn't labeled!

*Not having training in things that appear to be everyday things for US nurses - eg:when I trained we didn't learn phlebotomy/IV siting - these were considered 'extended roles' for nurses.

*Just looking stupid

Any words of wisdom & encouragement would be gratefully accepted :redpinkhe

[guiltysins]

Why would you be afraid to work the floors because it's New York? The hospitals are no more dangerous than the hospitals in the rest of the country (unless it's the ER maybe)

[girls1]

I hope experienced nurses will respond to your thread. I have about a year of LTC experience and will soon be going into a hospital; I have some of the same concerns you do. I am a native new yorker so I don't fear new yorkers. The populations you face in the hospital will be similar to those you meet in the area where you work depending on your floor's specialty. Some patients may be difficult to work with but many are not. You could take a cultural sensitivity course if you feel this would help. Many nurses are not taught phlebotomy these days because of the various allied health roles that are common today. If you want to learn IV, your hospital may offer a course for this. Many hospitals have IV teams though so you needn't worry about this right away. As far as the equipment goes, your orientation will include an inservice on all the equipment. From glucometer to bloodpressure machine and so on. You are an experienced nurse and that will not change. You will do great! Sorry there are no paragraphs; I'm typing on my phone.