Orientation

So I survived. My orientation and first shifts on my own were surprisingly fluid. Is it because I'm finally experienced enough to go with the flow and ask questions without worrying that someone will think I'm stupid? Is it because the hospital I work at is amazingly forward when it comes to orienting travel nurses? A bit of both, I suspect. I've heard horror stories of being thrown into the pit with next to no training and expected to turn out excellent patient care. And people think travel nurses suck. I would ask you to go about your daily nursing life with no training on the charting or equipment you're using and not knowing where any supplies are and see how you do. Just two short days of good solid orienting is all an experienced nurse needs. I got three at this place and I already feel like I work there as a staff and not a traveler. My prior experience in every hospital has helped me get to this point. I used the computer system in Minnesota and the vents and IV pumps in Florida. And, as always, I am learning everyday at this new place.

An aside: I was involved in a code on my second night. Thankfully not my patient, but I jumped in as we tend to do. Seeing that the big parts were taken care of, bagging, IV starting, meds and of course CPR..I did the documentation part. It was awesome to watch these nurses run this code. Since I had to document, I had an eagle eye on every aspect. This was one of the smoothest codes I have ever witnessed.