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Week 2 of orientation was first week training on the floor. I orient for three weeks on nights- and then I will switch to days for the rest of my orientation. I managed to get in a small nap the afternoon before my first day- which was good considering I would be at work until 7am the next morning. I pulled up to the hospital well before my shift was set to start. I hadn’t been able to eat anything because my stomach was in knots from anxiety. I did sip some coffee to try to rid myself of the post-nap groggy feeling. I’m not going to lie- it was hard to get myself to walk through the door. I was excited and eager to begin this journey- but also so nervous. I was going to be responsible for people’s lives. I was going to need to know what to do in codes, take care of sick hearts, and figure out those crazy lines on the monitors (plus so much more!) This is what I wanted- but it is a scary and heavy feeling. Luckily- there is a long orientation process to learn how to do these things- because let me tell you- nursing school just skimmed the surface of what nursing is.

Once I hit the floor I slowly began to feel a little more comfortable. My preceptor was very welcoming but moved quick- I was just following her the first day so I tried to listen and take in all I could. During report I didn’t know some of the terminology and things they were talking about- I found my heart racing and wondering “what exactly did I learn in nursing school!?” However, my preceptor assured me I would learn all that and more over the next two months. My preceptor is so wonderful- she is there when I need her, she welcomes (and encourages) questions, she explains everything in detail but manages to not totally overwhelm me. She is a super nurse in my eyes- knowledgeable, compassionate, a team player- the total package!

The first week I mostly focused on learning documentation and charting- and let me tell you- there is a ton of it! And when you are finally done- there is more. Luckily my preceptor provided me with a awesome check list of things that need to be charted and when- my kind of girl! The second and third day I began to do care and chart on 2 patients with my preceptors help and guidance. I gave heparin and insulin injections, IV push meds, hung fluids, gave PO (by mouth) meds, performed assessments, and was slowly introduced to some basic rhythms. We learned EKG interpretation in school- but it was only a day or two class and I have to say it is different on a monitor. I will take an arrhythmia class, have a competency test, and complete ACLS as additional training on my floor which I think will give me a good foundation- because right now I usually feel like I am not sure what I’m looking at. Luckily, my preceptor is at my side and checking everything I do.  I also observed my preceptor work with an Amiodarone drip and two other nurses administer blood. There is so so much to learn!

One of the newer nurses asked on my third night- “do you feel like you are trying to drink water out of an wide open fire hydrant? You’re just drowning and coughing and trying to keep up?” YES!! That accurately describes the feeling! But while it’s scary- it’s also so interesting! Overall, I would say I love my job so far. The nursing staff also has been so welcoming and kind. It was a great first week and I actually look forward to returning to work! I have a ton to learn but I am up for the challenge!

Have a great weekend, friends! 

Hello! Happy May! It’s hard to believe a new month is here already! I am loving the spring weather and all the beauty nature has to offer right now! May is an exciting month for me- it is my first month on the floor of the cardiac unit for orientation. I am so excited (but also nervous!) for this new challenge and adventure.

Two weeks ago I had classroom orientation M-F 8-4. The first day was general hospital orientation where they went over the “big picture” things that everyone at the hospital needed to know. It was a quick overview and everything moved fast. They discussed HIPPA, benefits, hospital mission and values, security, and infection control. I also received my badge which was a very exciting moment!

Tuesday was orientation for all clinical personnel- we had PCTs (patient care technicians), a surgical tech, and nurses in my orientation. Again, they went over a lot of big picture things. Hand hygiene, more HIPPA, basic policy and procedure, customer service skills. That afternoon the PCTs went for computer training and the nurses had guest speakers from wound care and the sepsis coordinator (both nurses). It’s amazing to me how many different roles nurses take in the hospital!

Wednesday and Thursday was nurse orientation. Again- lots of policy and procedures. We learned the basis of the computer system (there is so much to learn!). We also had to take a math test (yes- you read that right! Don’t lose your math skills after graduation!) and also did skill check offs on Foley catheters and central line dsg change/Med admin/ blood draw. Luckily, the environment for these check offs was much less stressful than nursing school.

Friday we were left to do healthstream- which is basically a ton of online training/inservice/certifications. The information was helpful and interesting- but staring at the computer for hours can be exhausting.

Overall- the week was fantastic! I was lucky enough to orient with one of my best friends from nursing school! It was truly divine intervention- we were hired and took NCLEX at different times- yet ended up in the same orientation! There was also only three nurses in orientation- which our educator said is very unusual! It was an amazing learning environment and helped calm two very anxious type A new grads. The educator and other RN in orientation were both 30 plus year nurses and so full of knowledge! My friend and I both feel so blessed to have spent the week with them learning some tips and tricks to being a newbie.

Last week was my first week on the floor. Sunday night was my first night of week 2 on the floor. It was a great first week and the staff was extremely friendly and welcoming. The blog post for my first week on the floor is in the works and will be up tomorrow! Stay tuned!