Orientation

By next Tuesday my classroom orientation will be over, and I’ll start orienting to my floor. Hopefully then I’ll have a lot of material for blogging. (I’m excited to be able to focus more on nursing topics.) This past week has been good, if a little boring giving the fairly dry material we cover – hospital policies and procedures. Now we’re going over the newly upgraded computer system and learning how to document, place orders, and administer medications. The last day will cover some skills check-offs as well as include CPR certifications.

My hospital assigns colors to various departments and positions. Though not technically sanctioned by the administration, I can wear different colored and patterned tops underneath. The particular assigned color lends itself well to pairings with a variety of colors, so I’m happy. I like simplicity with a little personality.

I’m looking for a quality cardiac stethoscope by doing a little on-line research on stethoscopes as my current one is of the “bought cheap for nursing school” variety. It was once a pretty, clear glacier blue (inspired by a lovely, clear lilac one used by E.R.’s Carol Hathaway), but I failed to anticipate the cruddy, clear yellow-green it would become. I don’t really know if a particular brand is better than another, so feel free to pass along your experience and advice.

The same goes for these z-coil shoes. Does anyone wear them? I’ve only known one nurse who did (and she swore by them), but she was also a little kooky. I wear diabetic socks now (have since my first clinicals) with running shoes, and I just want to know if those coils are worth the price (and funny looks from everyone else). I’m determined to start off my nursing career on the right feet.