01.03 Being Successful in Orientation

During orientation, make sure you are prepared by bringing all of your supplies including report sheets, pens, stethoscope, scissors, and your badge. Your preference for the type of report sheet you use may end up changing. Check out what your coworkers use. 

During orientation, engage in the experience. Show interest in what you’re learning. Seek out opportunities. If a nurse has a procedure to do, ask if you can join! This is the best time to jump in and see as much as you can before you are on your own. Offer to help others, maybe they need a hand with a wound dressing. Most important, ask questions!

While you are orienting, observe EVERYTHING! Check out the nurse workflow. How are they prioritizing? Is it effective? Are they getting to their patients on time? Check out how they delegate tasks to the assistants. Listen to their communication with each other, physicians, and patients. One of the scariest parts of being a new nurse is knowing what to say. Listen for ideas. 

Guys, make the best of the time that you have during orientation. Get to know your coworkers. Nursing is a team effort and you will want the support! Explore the layout of the unit. Learn the chain of command like who do you report to first. Learn where to find information like hospital policies. Take notes to look back on if you need to. Use this time to practice your time management. Learn how to prioritize and what to do if something happens that affects your plans. Flexibility is a necessary ability in nursing as things are always changing. Practice your charting. 

Guys, you will make mistakes. I did, everyone does. Learn from them, things will get easier!

The priority nursing concepts for being successful in orientation are communication, teamwork and collaboration, and professionalism.