have a smooth transition into my new job as an RN

I had a nurse tell me at the end of a shift, that she thought I was doing well for having only worked at this facility for a couple of months. I told her that I have only been a nurse for a couple of months. She replied, “You’re kidding aren’t you? I thought you had been a nurse for years. You’re doing amazingly well for a new nurse.” My smile lasted the whole one-hour drive home!
I will retire this goal and move on to “Be a Better Nurse”.

have been very busy. My first three or four shifts by myself were horrific. The interesting thing, though, was that at the end of the shift I felt really good. I had met the challenge and survived, and so did my patients. Then I had a couple of shifts where I was not only able to care for my patients, but had enough time to help another nurse with her patients (she had one very acute patient that was taking most of her time). I even floated to ICU for one shift.
I’ve decided to request a transfer to another unit. My unit is mostly post-surgical (ORIF and related ortho). I really want to be on a medical unit. I spoke with the manager of the medical unit that is opening in December. She said to put in my transfer request and “we’ll talk”. I’m hoping that I can get a schedule that will allow me to continue my education. I really want my BS in nursing degree.
I’m realizing how much I need to learn. I feel that I don’t have the pharmacology knowledge that I need. I think I’ll pick a drug classification each week and study it. I remember seeing this as someone’s goal. It’s a good goal that I want to adopt. I need to start with the cardiac meds, then maybe respiratory.I also want to take my ACLS class as soon as possible, and PALS when I get a chance.So much to learn. I suppose that one of the reasons I was drawn to nursing- I love learning!

Now I’m officially on my own. My first solo shift is Sunday night.Last night I walked into a train wreck of a shift. Many patients needing pain meds, IV bags needing to be hung, and doctor’s orders to verify. That first few hours were horrendous. It calmed down around ten thirty. I tried to make sure I left the shift with new bags hanging, everyone medicated properly and all orders verified.

because my computer is down, and I was waiting on a new hard rive. In the meantime I’m using my old computer, which isn’t running as well as it should (and extremely slow compared to my other computer). Orientation has been going very well. I’m up to six patients with a CNA. Friday was my last day shift on orientation. Wednesday I go to nights with an amazing, and fun nurse. We will have three shifts together. Then I have three shifts on the total joint replacement unit, so I can float there as needed (hope that I’m not, though). I’m getting more familiar with the doctors that are this hospital. The hospitalists are great. I’m trying to sleep in later during my four days off, to slowly get used to a late night lifestyle. Wish me luck. I’ve always been a morning person.

Today I took a class in order communications. The program is in MS-DOS and the computers were having “technical difficulty”.The instructor raced through everything with no real perception of what the attendees were experiencing. It was very frustrating and I feel that I learned nothing. Strangly enough, it was the only class I’ve taken at this facility where I didn’t have to do an evaluation at the end. I really wanted to tell them what I thought of the class but had no opportunity.

Three 12 hour shifts on the floor, and a four hour class on the computerized medication administration system. My preceptor is wonderful. She’s been working as a nurse for twenty years, and at this facility for six years. We have a check list of items that I need to learn about (where the crash cart is, where the MSDS manual is, etc) and competencies that I need to demonstrate (IV start, chest tube maintenance, etc).I have three more weeks on day shift before I move to nights. One week on nights will be on the ortho unit (mostly joint replacements) to become familiar with their clinical pathway, use of the nerve blocks, cell savers, etc.I feel a bit over-whelmed at times, but I believe that that is due to not being on the floor for two months. I’m sure I’ll get the flow back and do fine.

It was very interesting and fun, although far too much like sitting in class. The first day I only attended for one hour, since I’m already an employee. The one hour I attended was the explanation of the benefits. Since my prior position was an on-call postion, without benefits, this was new information for me. The rest of the week included instruction of policy and procedures related to codes, rapid response team, wound care, diabetes instruction and insulin flow sheets, etc We played a game about teamwork. I’m off tomorrow. Sunday I start my first day on the floor. Today I bought a new pair of Dansko clogs. I’m very excited about starting on the floor.

Starting on August 1st I will have be in orientation classes Tuesday through Friday. Saturday I will have off. Sunday and Monday I will orient on the floor. I had planned to go to a concert on Sunday (birthday) but this is more important. I will celebrate on Saturday instead (but not too much, since I have to be on the floor at 0630). Wish me luck!

I start my new job on August 1st! Since I’m already an employee of Asante Health System, I won’t need to attend the first day of orientation. The rest of the first week will be classes. They are sending me a schedule in the mail. My excitment level is going up!