Orientation, Skills and IVs

I am a week and a half into my job.  All last week was 8am-4:30pm of lectures, speakers, hospital orientation, reading skills on the computer...aka I WAS SITTING ALL WEEK!  I know all too soon I am going to be complaining about all the standing I am doing.  In any event, I have had an okay week and a half.  I am of course overwhelmed and feel like I retained zip from school.  Everyone says that's to be expected and normal.  Well, it makes me feel useless and leaves me in a panic!

I made a friend.  She is also on nights on my unit.  I have the comfort in knowing that I am not alone, which is wonderful.  We have similar stories as she also did an accelerated program.

Today, we did nursing skill competencies and learned more about hospital policy on tracheostomies and chest tubes.  Those both scare me like crazy.  The only other thing that really scares me that bad wold be anything cardiac related.  Hearts and lungs, two vital organs/functions, make me crazy nervous.  I have also learned who to call if I ever need help.  We are a little less staffed (read: very less staffed) with managers and such on night shift.  It was nice to know that I will never be all alone.  I know this, but to be reminded is always welcomed.  After skills, we got a crash course on IV insertion.  I even got to practice on a fake arm.  Basically, I am no better off than I was this morning!  What they tell us is we will be proficient if we practice.  We are told to let the nurses on our unit know what we haven't done, so we can do everything!  I sure hope I can handle all this.  I am already feeling the knots in my stomach.

I have tomorrow off!  Christmas shopping needs to happen!  I have nothing done!  I did stop twice after work for some new scrubs.  Merry Christmas to me! haha  We get to wear any style of scrubs, just in blue or white.  Did I mention that I love wearing scrubs.  It's basically like wearing my pajamas everyday!

Job Accepted

I am an employed nurse!  I still can't believe it!  I am so unbelievably nervous, overwhelmed and really feel like I don't remember anything from school.  Sigh.

The shadow on Friday went well.  I was paired with a seasoned nurse who was very much into teaching and showing me around.  She included me in everything.  That part was fun.  It was also great to have zero responsibility, at least for a few hours.  I got a feel for the unit, and even more support about starting my nursing career on a med/surg unit.  The nurse was telling me just how much I will be exposed to and how much I will learn.  I wore scrubs, not professional attire, and sneakers.  I know I will be walking miles per shift, so I am going to have to get super comfy shoes.  I am not sure what yet; sneakers or Danskos.  I finally had my toe looked at and was diagnosed with arthritis.  I have two inserts to wear, so sneakers might be the way to go.

I started this post a week ago!  It is now the night before my first day at the hospital.  I am nervous, and thinking I won't sleep all that well tonight.  It's reminding me of the night before my first day of nursing school.  Although, I am pretty sure I was more nervous for school.  I know a little bit of what to expect this time AND I get paid!  Woo hoo!!

I am going to wrap this up.  I hope I sleep and continue to fight this stupid head cold.  I have spent that last few years of my life preparing for this job/career.  Now is the time to actually do it!  It's very overwhelming.  I don't think it has all sunk in yet.  Here goes nothing!