a year after graduation i'm finally hired....

[shippoRN]

I graduated a year ago, and completed my first week of hospital orientation yesterday. The past year has been an absolute nightmare for me especially emotionally and financially. I thought after graduation the world would be my oyster. Boy was I in for a rude awakening when nobody was hiring me, nobody wanted to give me a chance. But that's water under the bridge and now i get to move forward in my career. In two weeks i'll be on my unit and i'm really nervous. I haven't done an assessment in a year, don't really remember meds, and just don't know how i will handle myself with my coworkers, my patients or myself. I was told that there is team nursing on the floor, something i have never done during my clinicals. I'm trying to review everything i can and no matter how much information i try to store in my head it never seems to be enough and time is ticking away. As i'm going through classroom orientation the amount of things i am responsible for keeps piling up. I don't know if there is such a thing as "new grad jitters" but boy do i sure have them.

[caliotter3]

Congratulations on getting a job. You are better off now than many highly experienced people who have been out of work for a long period of time. Suggest you start yourself a notebook for stuff learned. Your example book can contain an example of each of the various forms you will need, etc. If you are told that there are 7 steps to be followed when dealing with a new order that you just received from the doctor, make a list of those 7 steps and an example of each, etc. Your example book will give you something concrete to help yourself. Keep it in your locker. As time goes on, you will find yourself referring to it less and less, but it should prove to be very useful in the beginning. Good luck with your new position.

[Tina, RN]

Congrats on landing a job! :)

I agree with Calliotter3. Get a little notebook, and write little notes for yourself on important policies/procedures at your facility. I'd also recommed getting one of those little RN pocket reference books to keep with you on the floor, and a good nursing medication book. I think that having them with you will help make you feel better, and will allow you to double check yourself when you need to.

Good luck!!

[RNDreamer]

Congrats!

[MntnGirl]

Congrats on getting the job - now it's time to get your running shoes on. I'm a new grad also and started working in December on my unit. Regarding meds, there are SOO many meds out there that there is no way possible for you (or anyone else) to be familiar with all the meds out there in this phase of your career/make sure you got a Drug Guide book available on your unit. I look up meds on the internet at home all the time after shifts to try to cram the info in my head (I look up why the drugs would be taken and then look up the diseases and such that the meds are given for). Become very familar on how to access your facilities Policy and Procedures Manual and USE it. I get made fun of for doing this but I can be found looking up policy and procedure during down time, it's something I like to do and by reviewing procedures such as NG tube insertion, I'm a little more ready to prep and perform the procedure than if I never would have reviewed it. Check out the internet and your nursing textbooks to get reminders on what to look for in your head to toe assessments - think of different diagnoses and brainstorm what you should be paying extra close attention to during your assessments with these patients. Practice assessing your friends and family/ all you really need is a stethoscope. Finally, make sure to ask questions (especially during orientation). Take advantage of your orientation and make it clear to all that you work with that you want to be involved in (be it observing or performing) in procedures such as NG tubes insertion, trach care, tube feedings, applying traction, foley insertion, wound vacs. Good Luck - I've been doing this for 7 months and I'm just starting to feel a tiny bit comfortable with what I'm doing.

[racknroll]

I graduated a year ago, and completed my first week of hospital orientation yesterday. The past year has been an absolute nightmare for me especially emotionally and financially. I thought after graduation the world would be my oyster. Boy was I in for a rude awakening when nobody was hiring me, nobody wanted to give me a chance. But that's water under the bridge and now i get to move forward in my career. In two weeks i'll be on my unit and i'm really nervous. I haven't done an assessment in a year, don't really remember meds, and just don't know how i will handle myself with my coworkers, my patients or myself. I was told that there is team nursing on the floor, something i have never done during my clinicals. I'm trying to review everything i can and no matter how much information i try to store in my head it never seems to be enough and time is ticking away. As i'm going through classroom orientation the amount of things i am responsible for keeps piling up. I don't know if there is such a thing as "new grad jitters" but boy do i sure have them.

Congrats on the job! I can totally relate to your case in some ways. I graduated a year ago and I still haven't found a job yet. I thought there would be a lot available to me but mannnn was I wrong. Its frustrating because another day not working means rusting clinical skills. I think its ok for you to be nervous. I know I will be too after this hiatus. You should be fine. Just make great working relationships with the staff on your unit, look things up, and never be hesitant to say you don't know something. Good luck!

[TickyRN]

Congrats on the job, I believe you need an updated drug guide and a reference book. good luck

[AliColoradoRN]

Congrats on finding a job! I was in your position two months ago. I graduated in May of 2009 and did not start my first position until the beginning of April this year! It is frustrating and I know how you felt about being our of practice and losing your skills. I asked so many questions my first couple of weeks back. I watched what the experienced nurses did, and I was not afraid to speak up when I didn't understand something. I always have my drug guide handy. ALWAYS. Docs are always telling me meds to give that I do not remember, and I look it up right there. It will get better, but I am still nervous sometimes when I get to work. As far as I'm concerned though, the hardest part is over! Good luck!