What to expect from orientation

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hello all!

[color=#483d8b] i will be starting my 1st rn job on monday! i was hired to work icu on evening shift. i know week 1 of orientation will be classroom stuff covering benefits, infection control, pharmacology, computer charting etc. then the rest of my 3 month orientation on days will begin. how does orientation on the unit usually progress for most of you?

[color=#483d8b] i assume i will be observing, then caring for patient's under supervision and eventually on my own but how long does each stage usually last.

[color=#483d8b] can you tell i'm getting nervous?!! plus in the midst i have to study for boards which i'll be taking on aug 11th.:rotfl::doh::no::smackingf:yelclap::icon_roll

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I would say to be prpared to be OVERWHELMED!! I just started my orientation on a cardiac step down unit. I have been an aide at this hospital for 2 years while in nursing school so I thought that would give me a little advantage (and it probably does). But it is still extremely overwhelming. It's a very strange transition going from student nurse to graduate nurse and working as a GN. I felt completely inadequate my first day on the floor. I think you have to set goals and standards and learn not to be too hard on yourself....I know that is going to be my problem.

yesterday was my first day on the floor after a week of classroom stuff. I came home and 2 hours later, I cried. I wasn't even expecting to cry. I didn't even do anything wrong, it's just a very emotional experience...I think. Things happen so fast, new admit's, transfers, new orders, it's so fast paced! I imagine ICU is just the same. I think orientation will be like a rollarcoaster ride. It's going to have it's ups and downs. and your probably going to question yourself.

In nursing school or as an aide at this hospital, if there was anything wrong....different....something that you didn't know how to handle.... you just tell the nurse! now you are the NURSE!! holy cow! I know that there are always other people around that willing to help, but I still think it's very scary.

Overall, I think orientation will be a great challege for a new GN. I think this is THE REAL LEARNING now. I think it's going to push you to the limits and even further, but in the end.... you'll make it, just as you did in nursing school! Good luck!

Not sure if I helped to answer your question or if i was just blabbing about my feelings about my first 4 hrs on the floor yesterday, so thanks for posting this thread :)

P.S. I take my boards 8/1.....

Good Luck!

~mycatmax

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thanks for your reply! it does help. i know i will be totally overwhelmed and i'm trying not to expect too much from myself. i'm tryingto get myself mentally healthy to i can take it a day at a time, an hour at a time if i need to. it's totally nerveracking but i will make it through.

[color=#483d8b]anyone else want to share their orientation stories or voice concerns?!

[color=#483d8b]still looking to how the orientation actually progresses!!

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oh.... and good luck on boards mycatmax!!!!:balloons::biggringi:monkeydance::smilecoffeeilovecof:smilecoffeecup::typing:yelclap::yeah:

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