Well, I'm here in Vegas...starting a new job, advice please!

[zacarias, ASN, RN]

Hello all,

Well, I'm here in Las Vegas. Money is tight, and I'm living downtown in a hotel. (not as fun as it sounds). I will be starting a contract at Sunrise on IMC.

I've worked progressive telemetry and I believe what they call "stepdown" units but never a IMC...well actually I think IMC is a Vegas term. What do you think I should brush up on to work there? I think a lot of the patients are hardwired, not tele.

Also, first time using meditech charting with scanning meds. Anyone have any experience on how I can feel comfortable with that as soon as possible? Thanks!!!

Zman

[Race Mom, ASN, RN]

I worked in Vegas as a Nurse Apprentice on an IMC floor. Basically, it's whatever lies between med/surg and the ICU. We had tele, chest tubes, PE, and such.

Congrats on your job!

[rashan1053]

Meditech is pretty easy to use and scanning meds works well as long as the scanners are working. Good Luck in your position.

[NVRN2008]

Yep you'll do great on that floor. It's a busy floor, five-patient assignments (they lie and tell you it's only four, but trust me you WILL have five patients almost all of the time), demanding doctors, but the rarity is that the nurses truly work together and help each other. You won't feel completely alone working there. Take notes in the Meditech class because I promise you won't remember a thing once you get on the floor. Once you learn to navigate the computer, you'll find that Meditech actually makes things a lot easier. Scanning meds can be a pain in the butt. A little trick I learned is to take a patient label off each chart and carry them with you (in your pocket) on a sheet of paper during the day. It's like having each patient's armband right in your pocket all day ;-) The charge nurses on IMC are really knowledgable and always willing to help, esp on night shift. Hope you'll be okay

[zacarias, ASN, RN]

Thanks all for your replies!!

Also, you're right about the five patients thing. I was told by the ICU manager (not the IMC manager) that max was four patients. But I'm finding out that's not how it goes.

Tomorrow night is my first night on my own....it should be interested. I'm really nervous, as the learning curve is so huge. I feel comfortable scanning meds and fairly comfortable using meditech....but not comfortable on knowing what docs to call and exactly what I can do.

For instance, apparently the nurses there routinely NT suction...and I don't think they get an order. In a couple weeks I hope to sit down with the manager and ask her what is acceptable to do on that unit and what are standing orders. Everyone there has their opinion but getting it from her I would think would be the most accurate.

Thank again for you guys' encouraging words.

Zman