[sharonm]

I am in my last semester of ADN school. I will be graduating in May. I am insterested in working on med/surg floor. I am concerned about how to handle increased patient loads. I have taken care of four patients during clinical with little or no difficulties. Do you have any advice about the transition from student to floor nursing. Is it difficult to handle increased patient loads knowing that your instructor isn't there to help?

[pehughes]

It will definitely be a change going from student to nurse. Make sure the hospital gives you a good orientation and does not let you loose until you are ready. ask questions if you dont know, and be confident in the knowledge you have. You'll be surprised how much you already know.

[sharonm]

Thank you for the reply. I feel like I am well prepared overall. I know that everything will take practice. Thank you for your advice. The hospital I work at as a CNA has a great program for graduate nurses. I hope to get a job there.

[nursinghumor]

Sharon,

I wouldn't worry too much about adapting to a heavier workload. Even experienced nurses need to "prioritize" and decide what is most important to get done by the end of the shift.

My rule of thumb is organize as best you can, make sure you do what absolutely needs to be, and what is left over you do as much as you can.

Working as a CNA gives you a strong advantage over students, nurses that have not. It requires you to learn to organize your time, "touch patients," and handle a workload. That has probably carried over into your clinicals.

An important idea to remember, is know when you need help. If you can recognize when you're falling behind and legitimately drowning, you'll earn a lot more respect asking for help, than if you let yourself get overwhelmed.

Experienced nurses would rather have you ask for help when needed. Too often a new nurse will be in trouble, not recognize a situation and then have a crashing patient to deal with.

If you're not sure, ask. . . it isn't that painful and there are usually at least a few nurses that will lend a hand.

Andrew Lopez, RN
http://www.4nursing.com