8wk orientation? Hope I'll be OK

[cardiac.cure03]

Hey everyone... I just passed the NCLEX a few weeks ago, yay!! And now I'm starting off on a cardiac care unit. The hospital I'm working in is one of the few around here that doesn't offer internships or extensive orientations for the intensive care units. My orientation is only 8 weeks, yikes. However my nurse manager said if I need more time, it wouldn't be at all a problem. Anyways, I'm in my 3rd wk of orientation and wondering if I should be taking 2 patients by now (which is a full load by the way). Especially considering I'm technically almost halfway done with my orientation. Any advice or pointers?

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

hello, adidasgirl0699,

check out this thread for helpful info:

helpful information for the unit

good luck.

[WinksRN]

Hey everyone... I just passed the NCLEX a few weeks ago, yay!! And now I'm starting off on a cardiac care unit. The hospital I'm working in is one of the few around here that doesn't offer internships or extensive orientations for the intensive care units. My orientation is only 8 weeks, yikes. However my nurse manager said if I need more time, it wouldn't be at all a problem. Anyways, I'm in my 3rd wk of orientation and wondering if I should be taking 2 patients by now (which is a full load by the way). Especially considering I'm technically almost halfway done with my orientation. Any advice or pointers?

I heard 12 weeks or more is good, take more time until you know for sure you have no jitters except for getting out there and gettin used to it.

[AmyCardsNP, RN, NP]

In regards to your question about taking on a full load (2 patients) at this point in your orientation, my advice would be to make sure you feel completely comfortable with all aspects of single patient care before you try to juggle the time managment aspect.

And, most importantly, dont be afraid to ask for more time on orientation if you think you might need it... our patients' safety is #1 priority :)

Good luck!

[AfloydRN, BSN, RN]

Take the 2, make sure you can meet their needs and do all the nursing stuff related to their care. Have a second RN double check all of your work. If you miss anything, spend time on that.