No matter whether you are a seasoned nurse or a new graduate, the one thing everyone will encounter is orientation. At a new hospital no mater the reason for the transition everyone will go through orientation. As a seasoned of five plus years orientation from three different hospital follow a similar pathway. A graduate nurse will have a longer orientation and as someone who have worked next to multiple new nurses. have issues in the same four areas of orientation.
#1 Documentation Software
The most common software I’ve seen is EPIC, although I’ve used Meditech as well. The software, how to use them, what needs to be chart and where to chart. The younger generations have an easier time learning than some of the older generations. Even moving from hospital to hospital that utilize EPIC, for the most part its the same but also so very different. Many new nurses have issue with the combinations of charting and software. A list of what needs to be charted each shift might be useful.
#2 IVs
IVs are on the nurse’s realm and a very common task that need to be performed. Some schools teach how to place IV and other like my school do not what’s so ever even touch the subject of IVs. I had to learn on the job. I’ve seen nurses so good as placing them they could not only tell you they could place it but also which gauge. If your school never taught how to place them watch others, ask questions, and try. Don’t be afraid, give them a poke.
#3 Time Management
This is across the board one thing every new nurse needs to over come and learn. Time management is important to the nurse. When you have six patents, medication for all, education, dressing changes, TPN, heparin drips, assessment and charting. Obtaining the proper information and moving is important. Clustering care, if you have medication scheduled an hour apart and a dressing change do it all together. This is one thing that some new nurses will pick up easier than others but only time will truly teach and show time management.
#4 All the worries
No new nurse, no matter age or grades in school comes out with all the answers. If you go to work and worry, good, you are suppose too. The medication given a chance in a patients demeanor or mental status. A new nurse doesn’t have the experience to know when things are going bad or are fine. I don’t worry about a new nurse that worries, what scares me are the ones that aren’t worried or vigilant. Those are the nurses that will bring significant harm to a patient. Ask questions. Ask for another nurse to put eyes on your patent. It better to be safe than sorry.
Orientation for a new nurse is a scary time. Nursing school fills you with so much information. Now its putting it into practices.