Hi

christvs, DNP, RN, NP · Feb 28, 2006

I've been an RN for 7 months now & I think my biggest issue when I started was that when I was a student I only had 1 or 2 patients to take care of & could therefore spend all day with & reading their charts & really getting to know them, etc, but as a new nurse it was culture shock to be taking care of 6 patients on telemetry & trying to get everything done that had to get done like meds, treatments,, etc which rarely leaves time left for other aspects of nursing that we had more time for as students. Hope that helps you somehow. :)

perfectbluebuildings, BSN, RN · Mar 1, 2006

I'd agree with Chris, and add, well I guess they kind of go with it, but time management and priority setting were major major things I had to learn. Also keeping cool when 4 people (doc, pharmacy, a pt, a relative of a pt) all have something for you to do RIGHT NOW!!!! and not stress out. Also relating to patients as their nurse instead of the nursing student- there is a lot more authority that comes with that, and a lot of patients and their families put a whole lot of trust and faith in whatever you say- that is a BIG responsibility and I'm still getting used to that and wasn't really expecting it. Also- not being afraid to say "I don't know but I can find out!!!" or "that is something to discuss more with your MD than with me" when there is something you're being asked- don't just answer to give them something to hold onto. Those are all things I have had to learn and really am still learning!!! I hope some of that mishmash will help out. Take care.

ladydame · Mar 3, 2006

The fact that you as a nurse are now responsible and don't necessarily fall back on your instructor/preceptor as being the soul responsible one. That's a hard thing I've figured out.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Mar 4, 2006

I'm a brand new LVN with only a few weeks worth of experience and am responsible for medicating and treating 33 elderly residents of a nursing home. I am an LVN 'charge nurse', though I think that only the experienced nurses should assume the role of 'charge nurse'.