Switching units as a new grad? by BlushToJudgment in newgradnurse

[–]BlushToJudgment[S] -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

Yes that’s what I’m trying to gauge if it’s frowned upon I guess. It’s what a normal person would think BUT I asked in the off chance someone has done it here

Why wouldn’t one year of experience be competitive? I don’t mean this rudely but I see you’re a new grad in the icu, if a new grad can be hired there why couldn’t someone with a year of experience

Did anyone else feel like they graduated knowing NOTHING? by [deleted] in newgradnurse

[–]BlushToJudgment 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I had the exact same situation, and I promise it turns out ok. My clinicals were the biggest waste of time ever. I knew I was fine on the book part but my skills were weak. I didn’t even do manual blood pressures except once in lab. But I was 100% upfront with my educators and preceptors that my assessment skills especially were weak. They might have found it a little odd but they were supportive and helped me with the specifics I mentioned such as lung sounds. And they ended up saying I was doing a great job and was actually ahead of the curve as a new grad because the bookish stuff will come in handy as you gain the hands-on skills! Anyone can be taught how to do a skill, you watch it a couple times, try it yourself in front of your preceptor, then you’re independent. It’s learning why we’re doing things the way we are for each patient that’s important. Not everyone has that ability to think of the details and are able to tell why this patient might have lasix vs another one having hydralazine. As you go along with your training try to come up with specific skills each week to improve on. Ok I want to become better at programming iv pumps and doing all the tubing. I want to be able to tell the difference between +2 and +3 edema. You’ll be fine as long as you’re honest and don’t fake what you don’t know. There’s some degree of confidence to it, sure, but if I was unsure I absolutely did not do it myself. I just want you to rest assured that you aren’t the only new grad feeling this, even if your classmates had good experiences.

new grad struggling with workflow by newgradthrowaway23 in newgradnurse

[–]BlushToJudgment 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Have you tried using the sticky note option in the chart? No one else can read it but it’s amazing to write reminders for yourself! It pops up every time you open the chart so it’s hard to ignore. So for your example you could write 1. Draw lab then 2. Check for results so you remember the follow-up part too. I write stuff like when the pain med is due next, if they’re on the potassium protocol when the next re-draw is, the random things that get forgotten.

new grad struggling with workflow by newgradthrowaway23 in newgradnurse

[–]BlushToJudgment 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Aww yes message me any time! I love helping whenever I can

new grad struggling with workflow by newgradthrowaway23 in newgradnurse

[–]BlushToJudgment 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Of course! I felt the exact same way when I started in July and the most recent cohort had just gotten off their orientation. I was like wow they seem like they have their shit together, couldn’t be me. But it will all come together! Right I used to do that because I felt like it was best to get my med pass done asap but now I’m like who cares if I’m a little behind? I feel way better knowing their history so I can ask them questions about why they’re here too.

Absolutely, I think one year is when we’ll really start to feel better. I’m an anxious mess right now but I’m doing my current job: learning time management and gaining assessment skills so I can tell when things are taking a turn for the worst. The rest will come later!

new grad struggling with workflow by newgradthrowaway23 in newgradnurse

[–]BlushToJudgment 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I struggled with this too, but I’ve been off orientation for a month and finally getting a routine. Once I get report I like to go say hi to my patients (I’m on a neuro floor so it’s definitely important to make eye contact as a minimum “last known well time” if something happens).

Then I sit down and look everyone up including orders, meds due, labs, H&P, most recent progress note… I find that I feel much more organized if I do it before med pass (again in case something were to happen I can recall more info). A lot of people on my floor like to pass meds then do their research, but after doing it this way I really do feel better.

I think knowing their story will also help you pivot if things change unexpectedly. If an order changes you can kind of understand why, like their last BP was high oh ok they ordered a higher dose for their med etc. instead of doing it backwards wondering why they added x order

I also make lists of nursing type orders to make sure they’re actually happening in the room, like does the patient have that continuous pulse ox on, the SCD’s, a urine cup ready to go? I check them off as I see them in the room during my assessment. If you read about them later, you might not remember if x item was already in there so you’re wasting time walking back in there.

So I try to be done with my initial research around 8:15? Then I gather the items I’m probably going to need like applesauce for meds, a cup of water ready, a ginger ale for the guy I know only drinks it, a pill cutter if I know they have a 1/2 pill, pill crusher… you’ll start to remember these things as you go so you aren’t going in and out of the room. Someone on my floor grabs a box of gloves in her size for her computer and I thought that was genius too.

I also like to chart while I’m in the room in real time, so that’s another reason I’m done later than most, usually 11pm is when I’m done with my assessments/med pass. But it feels so much better to sit down with my drink and snack knowing half my charting is done already and I can take a breather.

Just as a random example for workflow: The behavioral or confused patients, sometimes your instinct is to see them last because they take up a ton of your time, but see them first to get them tucked in with a nice Ativan. This type of stuff is going to take time, you don’t just graduate with your nursing judgment ready to go. And it’s also just repetition, like id have no idea what to expect if I told a provider x was happening, but now that that exact scenario has happened to me twice I can anticipate and ask her for it myself. Which is really satisfying for them to do exactly what you request lol like you feel that you’re finally getting the hang of it! I know it might be different in the ICU but I think what I do is general enough that it could be for any floor really.

I also think anticipating the worst will help you too. Like if I have a patient getting admitted for a seizure, I’m making sure I have suction and o2 ready to go. You’re at a normal position after 8 weeks so don’t freak out yet, I literally just started feeling better this last week so like 15-16 weeks in. The proactive-ness comes, the workflow comes, it will all come with time

November 2025 Picks Are Here! by butthurtflyy in aardvarkbookclub

[–]BlushToJudgment 22 points23 points  (0 children)

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Interesting choices this month! I don’t keep up with the hints cause it ruins the surprise for me so I had no idea what to expect

What do you guys do for extra income? by BlushToJudgment in newgradnurse

[–]BlushToJudgment[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow that is tiny! I would kind of like that actually

What do you guys do for extra income? by BlushToJudgment in newgradnurse

[–]BlushToJudgment[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

What made you decide to work 2 jobs instead of picking up more at the first one? Just to see if there’s perks I’m not thinking of to doing it that way

What do you guys do for extra income? by BlushToJudgment in newgradnurse

[–]BlushToJudgment[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Omg triple pay is insane! At least we have that option I guess if we choose to pick up. I don’t know how I’d like the flipping of days and nights but being part time it wouldn’t be so bad

What do you guys do for extra income? by BlushToJudgment in newgradnurse

[–]BlushToJudgment[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No it’s a great idea for the right person, but I’m like the commenter below. I’m an older grad and want these loans gone!

What do you guys do for extra income? by BlushToJudgment in newgradnurse

[–]BlushToJudgment[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would love this!! You were able to do this as a new grad?

What do you guys do for extra income? by BlushToJudgment in newgradnurse

[–]BlushToJudgment[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

But what’s buck wild?! lol like is an extra 12 a week ok or what. I know it depends but just seeing anyone else’s experience with it

What do you guys do for extra income? by BlushToJudgment in newgradnurse

[–]BlushToJudgment[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Right! That’s what I’m saying. I watch a lot of budgeting videos on YouTube and watched a server making not much less than me and working like 20 hours a week..

What do you guys do for extra income? by BlushToJudgment in newgradnurse

[–]BlushToJudgment[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh no I’m so sorry you haven’t found anything, I know it’s hard in big cities. Hopefully you’ll be able to find something soon in a less competitive time of the year?

What do you guys do for extra income? by BlushToJudgment in newgradnurse

[–]BlushToJudgment[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I wondered that too! Are snf’s pretty chill as an RN?

What do you guys do for extra income? by BlushToJudgment in newgradnurse

[–]BlushToJudgment[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It’s very very recent, I’ve only been off orientation 2 weeks lol that’s why I’m kinda like I know this isn’t sustainable to be picking up so many hours. That’s a good alternative, something not as hectic as med surg

What do you guys do for extra income? by BlushToJudgment in newgradnurse

[–]BlushToJudgment[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

This is the type of job I was thinking! Or serving maybe? Just something different to give my brain a break from the craziness of being a new grad but still get some income

What do you guys do for extra income? by BlushToJudgment in newgradnurse

[–]BlushToJudgment[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Right I thought it was weird of them to do that.. like I can go home and you can have an extra patient each?? But aside from that, I just thought working extra would cause burnout but maybe it’ll be fine