What I wish I knew... First Job

[EMEddie]

Hi Everyone-

I am starting my first job in a couple of week in an intermediate critical care unit and I am beginning to feel a bit nervous. The ration is 1:3, High turnover patient, and the orientation is between 12-15 weeks.

I am just simply wanting general advise on what you wish you knew that you know now when first starting your career? What tips/advice can you share that will help me and others succeed. I will be working the night shift by choice. Apart from the clinical experience obtained in school; I worked as an EMT before RN school.

Specific things I should have apart from the obvious Stethoscope, pen, highlither, pen light and clipboard?

As mentioned; I am simply wondering what you wish you knew and if you orient new grads, what can you share.

Thanks in advance everyone!

[maiday]

I would bring a little notebook that you can fit in your scrubs that you can write things you learn. You may not be able to write things down right away but later. You may want to write anything from pertinent info to where you find certain paperwork to how to get ahold of different docs. It's just too much information to remember everything.