What is your best tips for new grads starting on med-surg

[peaceful2100]

am starting on the unit next week. It is a post op surgical care unit. I will admit I am NERVOUS probably a little too nervous. This particular unit has lost quite a bit of nurses recently and now they are extremely short staff. I don't want to end up with 10-12 patients as a new grad but I fear it will happen. I want to do my best to keep an open mind. I don't have hardly any experience as a nurse tech or assistant with adults. ONLY babies and children. Only the clinicals we had through and you all know how limited those can be in some schools. So med-surg nurses what are your best tips especially for new grads

Thank you

[RN-PA, RN]

Originally posted by jnette

Great tips here. As you know, I, too, will be starting med/surge soon... start orientation for PRN in two weeks.

Everyone says "don't be afraid to ask" and I agree wholeheartedly with that ! HOWEVER.... does this get on the other nurses' nerves? There's that part of me, of course, that doesn't want to bother the others, as I know how overloaded everyone is already... but I can't afford to make mistakes, either !

Hard place to be in for awhile, y'know? I'd rather be safe than sorry... but I hate to be a pest, too !

I had a REALLY rough time starting my career due, in part, to a lousy orientation among other things. I also lacked self-confidence and had a LOT of questions. I found which nurses I could ask without fear of repercussions (snide remarks, talking behind my back, etc.) and was careful to not ask a question if the nurse was especially harried or upset with her own patient load. If I was struggling with a number of problems, I would vary which nurse I'd ask-- Take turns with asking different nurses. Also, I would first try my best to find out the answer on my own (look up meds, go to the hospital's policy and procedure book, speak to someone in the Lab or Pharmacy). I KNOW I must've been a pest at times, but I always was looking out for my patients, and that kept me asking questions. Better safe than sorry! Consequently, I am MORE than happy to answer questions, even if I'm having a rough night. I remember all too well how it felt to have questions and doubts. HECK-- I still DO! :)

I can't add much to the great advice already given on this thread-- All the best to anyone starting out in Med/Surg!

[inna]

*I try to finish my pt's charting after I gave them their early meds and did my assessment. I found that when I'm done with my notes per pt. I'm more relaxed and able to carry out new orders.

*Always jot down on my handy paper all the things I need to follow/check re:that pt. That way I won't be forgetting or missing something esp. missing meds, I&O's, dressing changes, critical V/S, calling MDs etc... And it's a lot easier when giving a report to the next shift.

*I would let everyone know that I'm a new grad so that they could extend their patience on me whenever I keep on asking.

*Be familiarized with the Md's faces so that when they're around I could ask them right away and check their orders and clarify their handwritings while they're still around.. that way I save my time calling them.

*IT'S IMPT. TO REMEMBER NOT TO BE HARD ON YOURSELF BECAUSE YOU'RE A BRAND NEW NURSE,DON'T SET TOO HIGH STANDARD OTHERWISE YOU'LL FEEL BAD..TAKE IT EASY...FOR AS THE DAYS PASS-BY ... YOU'LL LOOK BACK AND YOU'LL BE AMAZED AT YOURSELF THAT YOU DID IT!