I've been working as a graduate nurse on a med-surg unit for five or six weeks now. Soon, I will be coming off orientation, which means I'll be on my own with my own patients and no preceptor for guidance. Well I am sooo nervous! I have no problem with assessments and medications, but its the paperwork, checking for lab/test results, and communications with physicians/allied health that have me feeling inadequate. Any tips on how to organize my day and how to deal with coming off of orientation? Thanks!!
Brittany
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August 1st, 2009 at 4:34 pm
I came off orientation in October. I remember thinking, how come my preceptor always has time to sit and look up labs? I am running around all the time! Then I realized that he was grouping interventions together and focusing more on patient care than on “tasks.” New grads are often very task oriented.
Maybe make a list when getting report about what is due. Usually meds are in the morning. Give your 8am and 10am meds both at 9am. Save things like dressings in the afternoon. Try to incorporate patient teaching into everything you do. It will save you time in the long run.
August 3rd, 2009 at 1:33 pm
Get a good brains sheet and write down everything that you need to do. Need to check labs at 11, then write it on your brains and check it off when it is done. Need to check orders, then write it on your brains and check it off when it is done. Also, group as many things that you can. As the other poster stated, giving your 8 and 10 am meds at 9 am. I wish you well coming off of orientation.
August 6th, 2009 at 9:26 am
I work in the ED so its a little different for me, but I know brains were critical when I did work on a regular floor, it let me know when everything needed to be done. And I agree with Lindsey, grouping tasks really really save time.
Don’t worry about getting off orientation, I’ve learned that you always have other people around you and if you don’t know how to do something or need help they’ll usually jump in if you need it.
August 6th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
Thanks for the advice guys. This might be a stupid question, but what is a brains sheet? Are they some kind of organizer? Thanks again!
August 6th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
A brain is any sheet of patient information that you use to organize your information. I worked with several until I found one that fit me perfectly. Now I know where to put my abnormal assessment data, my labs, my radiology results, etc. As long as you can group data so you are concentrating on seeing the whole picture, it doesn’t matter if you are scribbling on post-it notes. Try googling “nurse brains” seriously, there are some really good ones out there. As for orientation: just because you don’t have a preceptor anymore doesn’t mean you can’t ask for help. If you are struggling, ASK FOR HELP! Most nurses would be willing to lend a hand or help you think through something because you are a new grad. Not all nurses eat their young.
September 5th, 2009 at 2:58 am
I am right there with you on this one. My orientation ends in about 2 weeks, and I am terrified. I’m feeling ok about my skills right now since I have my preceptor to fall back on and remind me, “Hey, don’t forget to do this or chart that.” But I’m so afraid that when I’m on my own, I’m not going to be able to handle it all. Just thinking about it now has my stomach all tied up in knots because I’m so worried about coming off of orientation. I haven’t had 1 set preceptor for my entire orientation, so there are several nurses that have worked with me and know my strengths and weaknesses, but I won’t always be working with those ladies, and from what I’ve been told, some of the others are not helpful at all. I have really been struggling with all of this, even wondering if I’m actually cut out to be a nurse. I’ve been afraid to talk to my family and close friends because they all know how much I’ve wanted to be a nurse and are so proud of me for accomplishing this big goal in my life. I guess I’m afraid that if I admit these fears to them, I’ll be letting them down. Anyway, thanks for posting this and for letting me vent a little.
October 15th, 2009 at 11:00 pm
I totally agree! I have 4 weeks left of my preceptorship and am up to 5 patients on a VERY busy Surgery floor. I too have a hard time finding time to check charts for new orders or review orders in our charting system, much less call docs when things start to look hinky. Half the time – no, I lie, most of the time, i am staying late to chart half of my day. I am petrified that I will be set free and have all the important things fall off the edge of my plate, so to speak b/c I can’t get things done fast enough!!!