Orienting

Can you tell? It's been a LONG time since my last post, mainly because I've been super busy with this orientation to nursing life. I LOVE the ED! Completely hit the mark on my choice of unit, hands down. I don't totally love the organization... but I've heard my experiences are not exactly unique.
Things were dandy during the first 3 weeks of general nursing orientation. Learned how to do a fingerstick (actually got certified on it!), learned how to perform venipuncture on a cool dummy arm that bled and all, and got lectured on how to CYA when it comes to documentation. All good stuff to learn. Then, BOOM- I'm on the unit. I'm on the freaking unit, taking care of patients who are there because they feel the ED is the place to go! Anyone see anything wrong with this picture?
A few weeks and quite a few more panic attacks later, I finally speak to my supervisors about my feeling lost and unable to cope. They seem to value my input, thankfully, and since then I've felt taken care of and protected. A sharp turn from feeling thrown to the wolves the first 2 weeks of being in there.
I'm nowhere near being a good ED nurse and I don't expect to be for at least another 8 months, but at least I'm not drowning in fear. I know where the supplies are, for the most part, I can navigate the computer system more and more each day, I can identify who the good MD's are now, and for the most part I'm taking care of my patients the way I want to.
There's no time to talk to patients in the ED, it's just too busy but I'm trying to at least take 3 minutes to listen to my patient's concerns while I do a physical assessment. It seems like only the people on orientation are taking the time to listen to lungs and bowel sounds. We only have 2 to 4 patients and the full on RN has anywhere from 4 to 9, so I can see how that time needs to be cut down.

Ok. I have to confess. I've made a couple of mistakes. Moto - Remove the tourniquette as soon as your tubes are filled!