Any new 2nd degree nurses?

Bijou-Spice · Oct 28, 2005

My advice is to ask and seek out every "basic" skill level you can tube feeding, foleys, IVs, PCA pump...make a list of every thing you should have from your NS books. Take the list to you clinical instructors and tell them to find where these procedures are happening in the hospital! I am speaking from experience....started working without a lot of these skills! I had my preceptor ask me "What did you learn in school!" I ask myself that every day, you will get a lot of theory which is very important, but when you start work if you have done these skills at LEAST once you will feel a little better at work.

Good luck!

Miss Mab · Oct 29, 2005

I absolutely agree with Bijou---

I just finished an accelerated program and feel woefully unprepared. The funny, or sad, thing is that even while in school I knew I wasn't getting the clinical practice that I needed but I was so overwhelmed at the time I just kept getting my good grades and graduated. That part was my fault. I don't think ALL accelerated programs are not good---I just think mine was high priced and factory like in existence to fill the demand.

My advice---take control of your education. Do what was suggested. Make your clinical instructor assign you to patients who need these basic skills done or at least see them done once! Believe it or not, many I didn't. Actually, I never put in a Foley, dealt with an NG tube or anything else for the first 2 of 3 semesters. Thank goodness I had a great preceptor at the end who I just flat out told that I didn't feel I knew much--this was in the ED--and she was awesome about having me do everything.

So, here I am on day one of my unit orientation. I'm already prepared for the rolled eyes when I mention the accelerated program and how ridiculous it is that i've never even successfully started an IV---okay that's not exactly true but in my school--I swear to God---we never even learned how to do it. We were told that every hospital or floor now has an IV team so you will never need to start one. I'm talking not even practicing on dummy arms or blown up gloves or anything! Anyway....my own little rant.

Good luck. This year will go by quickly believe it or not. Take ownership of your education and you will fly:)

Mab

hotcoffee · Oct 29, 2005

Hey, I got a first degree in business, second degree bsn. Just started working this june in a large hospital stepdown unit, and it is an eye-opener. I went to a two year program, so I can't say anything about accelerated programs.

But I feel that I was poorly prepared by my program for the practical/day-to-day tasks of nursing. We spent a good deal of time on theory, research class, care plans, etc. which was a complete waste of time. It makes me a little frustrated, as I feel that I have so much to learn now about how to actually deal with real situations.

I think that some schools (ADN's?) may have better programs, but I would say the best thing for you to do would be to work as a CNA/extern if possible. This is huge. I never did this and I really wish I had. I wouldn't worry to much if you are good at starting IV's or whatever, more important just to get exposure to as many different aspects as possible and learn from different nurses. Also, working as a cna will let you really see what nurses do before you commit to a degree.

Bambury · Oct 30, 2005

I graduated from a 2nd degree accelerated program this past summer. My first major was also in the humanities. I feel I learned quite a lot!!! You get out as much as you put in to it. In clinical situations, you do have to tell your clinical instructor that you want to learn a ton of procedural things. I made contact with all the floor nurses and CNAs and asked them to call me when they were to do anything at all. So by the time I had to do my last clinical preceptorship, I felt pretty much set to take on any assignment. I was overseeing the care of 6 patientss on a daily basis by that time, with my preceptor watching my back. Again, be proactive, and study like a smart weasel (that means, figuring out essential from nonsessential information, and thinking critically), and you will do fine. No matter how overwhelmed you may feel, at any one time, trudge on and all will pass. Before you know it, you'll be an RN.

Godspeed to you!

cjog · Oct 30, 2005

Thanks to all who have replied here so far.

Just reading some of the posts made by the first year RN's has got me a little nervous - so I didn't know what I should expect becoming an RN after an even shorter period of schooling!

RN2Bonthemove · Oct 30, 2005

I am not a new nurse yet, I graduate Dec 5 2005, but I just wanted to say that even in my 2-year ADN program, there are many skills that I have not had the opportunity to practice in clinical. Such as NG tube, IV starts (we did get to stick a dummy arm in lab), enteral feeding... the list could go on and on. I did get to place a male cath in my 4th qt and I finally placed a few female caths this final qt.

I feel very incompetent in a lot of skills. That is my main reason for applying to hospitals that have good transitional new grad internship programs.

My point is that, I don't think it really matters whether it is a short or long program, you can never experience all the skills that are needed, just try to get as many as you can. The real education begins when you start working as a nurse.

Danae

grentea · Oct 31, 2005

I went to a really good second degree accelerated program. It has a reputation in my area for graduating students who are well-educated and know what they are doing. The hospitals in the area really like students from my program a whole lot and the past grads from my program have done well on their units. I just started working so recently that I haven't even really started on my unit yet, but I'm pretty confident that things will go well for me. If you think about it, most 4 year nursing students probably spend a total of four semesters on just nursing coursework, the rest are required courses like English, History, etc. So accelerated courses are giving you just what you need. And I do agree with Danae, while I got a lot of good experience, I obviously didn't expereince every possible thing I'd need to know as a nurse. I expect I'll learn even more on my unit.

GrnHonu99, RN · Nov 4, 2005

Hi all~
I'll be starting an accelerated second degree program soon to earn my BSN/RN. (My first degree was in English) Anyway, I was just hoping to hear from some second degree students who are in their first year of nursing and what your experiences have been thus far. My main concern is the fast pace of the these progrmas - I mean, if nurses in 'normal' programs are going through stress and struggles and not feeling as if nursing shcool prepared them as much, I'm wondering how those who who earned the degree in 12 months feel? I'd love to hear from you, or any stories from anyone you know who may have done this. Thanks all! Have a great day

I am! My BA is in psych/soc and my nursing degree will be an MN,RN:) I love it so far and yes it is fast but the key is staying ahead and beign organized.

leenie71 · Nov 9, 2005

Hi there,

I recently graduated from an accelerated BSN program and started orientation at my hospital a couple of weeks ago. There are quite a few things that I did not have the opportunity to do on my clinical rotations, such as insert Foleys or even give an IM injection (did it on newborns, but not adults!) But I think that the skills that I missed in school on actual patients will come with time and experience. It was stressed to me many times by my clinical instructors that it is most important that you know WHY you are performing certain skills and when not to do them or contraindications, etc. The skills are a mostly a dexterity thing (so I'm told) and we'll get them.

Don't get me wrong...I'm nervous and anxious everyday, but I try not to stress about things I haven't done yet. My preceptor is great and no new nurse is expected to know everything or to have done everything. My preceptor told me that her biggest expectation of me is that I ask questions! And believe me, I do! As you know, clinicals are nothing like the actual working environment as a new RN. As Danae mentioned, the real learning is on the job.

Doing the accelerated program was one of the best things I've ever done and one of the hardest things. But, I finished in less than a year and passed the boards no problem. You'll make it through....hang in there and best of luck to you!

jen42 · Nov 9, 2005

I felt unprepared when I started, but I think everybody does. I avoided the general med-surg clinicals like the plague when I could... instead did cancer, GI, cardiology. Never inserted a Foley on a guy. Probably not the best idea... until I got into psych and school nursing, anyway. Now it's fine. :)

Any good hospital will give you an orientation that will fill in the gaps in your education. Everybody misses something and feels uncertain. For some people it's post-surgery stuff, for some it's Foleys, for some it's tele patients, for some it's dealing with the families of the dying. No program can cover everything without taking as long as medical school! Make sure you leave your orientation feeling ready- if not, ask for more...

nsgstudentjen · Nov 12, 2005

Thanks for this post! I am graduating from an Accelerated BSN program in 5 weeks, my first degree is in psychology.

I often feel clueless and feel that I missed out since my program was so fast.

thanks everyone for these tips!