Feb 16, 2008, 01:59 pm
Last edited Feb 16, 2008, 01:59 pm
update #1
Hi Megan,
night duty on a surgical ward you can expect to be quite busy. It's been a while since I did such a shift, but I don't image its changed very much.
For the patients that are day one post-op you will have regular and frequent observations, wound checks, medications - particularly pain relief and antibiotics, drain checks, catheter checks, IV fluids etc. Make sure on the first round you check all the drains and catheters are unclipped if they are supposed to be - I was always amazed at how many I found clipped off that should be open on night duty.
For later post-ops you will much the same, but less frequency and probably some dressings that will need attending to.
Don't get too stressed about it, hopefully you will have a good RN that will give you the guidance and supervision you need as you get used to the ward routine. Make sure you ask questions when unsure and report everything out of the ordinary.
Have a good night - I used to really enjoy night duty.
Oops, I see that was posted yesterday - how did your first night go?
