I did it!! I have finished and survived my first week here in Reno.
Today, I was able to become more comfortable and more independent with the Epic charting and even started to pick up a few “assist nurse” rolls.
So, here is the difference with this department. There are usually 2 nurses in the room for each procedure. One does the charting and the other is the “assist nurse” which does the hands on stuff, like collect specimens, label jars, hold the patients arms, transport patient to and from Preop/PACU… My focus these last 2 days has been to learn the charting. Next week, I will need to learn to be the “assist nurse” and then I will need to learn how to manage both roles in the event that there is a day that there is only 1. I will also need to learn to manage the schedule while also working because this department lacks a charge nurse!
Overall, I feel good about where I am at and I do feel confident that by the end of next week, I will be ready to shadow call!
My first week impressions of this hospital is that their Virtual orientation process is something to be desired! I am not sure if this is just a “Covid” thing or if there were issues prior, but either way, I am not a fan. My first impression of the floor, though, is awesome. The people here are great and very approachable with questions and also very reassuring with concerns. There are zero expectations of me to be able to work independently by a certain day. They want me to learn as much as I can everyday, but they also want me to learn it correctly and are allowing me the time to become fully competent and comfortable! Figuring it out as I go along isn’t a thing on this contract like it has been on so many of the others.
Week 1 is complete and this weekend we are going to get out and see a glimpse of what Reno has to offer. Keep following along as my blog returns to normal with a new post every Sunday featuring my favorite photos and adventures from week to week!
