Checking In With Nurse Brennan: “How To Successfully Transition To A New Nursing Position”

Starting a new position as a Registered Nurse is an exciting opportunity to work with a new organization, team, and patient population. I have held a number of different nursing positions in two different countries ranging from in-patient to community settings, caring for newborns to geriatric patients. With every new position, it is understood that there will be an adjustment period as you transition into your new role. Here are a few tips that I have found success with as I have starting new nursing positions, that I hope will help you as you begin your new role as Medliant USRN!

1. Locate and know where supplies are on your unit:

   1. Take a moment to locate commonly used supplies, explore storage rooms, learn where items are located in the medication cart(s), and know where you can find emergency supplies (e.g. code cart, CPR board, etc.) so that if and when you need something, you will be able to find it in a timely manner. Much of your time management will improve in your new role simply from knowing where items are located.

2. Familiarize yourself with policies and procedures specific to your organization:

   1. It is important to understand that just because a procedure or skill was performed one way at your previous hospital, it may not be how it is performed at your new one. Every hospital will have different policies and procedures, especially in different countries. This can also be true for medication administration. For example, in Alberta, Canada IV Lasix could not be given direct IV in under 10 minutes. However, in the USA at my current hospital, IV Lasix can be given direct IV in 2-5 minutes.

3. Make an effort to get to know the staff you will be working with:

   1. Establishing strong professional work relationships with your colleagues will build trust among team members and allow you to better understand who you can rely on when you need to delegate tasks or need support. You will learn what each provider would like to be notified about regarding changes in your patient’s status and the flow of the unit in regards to how the team communicates and works together.

4. Ask for help whenever you need it:

   1. It is never acceptable to perform a task or skill without knowing what you are doing or why you are doing it. If you do not know something or haven’t done a particular task or skill before, ask for help. This is a learning opportunity for you to grow in your career and to become a stronger nurse in your new role.

5. Make a good impression early:

   1. Making a good impression is important can help to establish trust and build a strong team mentality. If you have free time, ask your peers if they need a helping hand with anything. Answer call lights when you can to help support your fellow nurses and your unit clerk. You can also restock supply carts, change out linen bags, etc. By offering to help others, you can make a good impression early, which will likely result in your colleagues being willing to do the same for you.