Well, I had my 7th 12 hour shift and finally started my first IV
I finally can say with pride I can start an IV! When I saw the blood return, I knew I had it. I gingerly advanced the cathiter and the pt even told me that it was probably one of the smoothest in recent weeks he had. Yeah!!
I am working on a tough unit, a renal/med surg unit, but I am very comfortable with it. I am clicking with my co-workers and my preceptor. I am working on 4 patients with some minor hiccups. But for a brand new RN (I still have that new RN shine!!) that is to be expected. To borrow from my old profession, Nursing school was doing all of the coding of Nurse 1.0. Now we have launched the program, we are discovering all of the bugs and fixing them on the fly!! And being realistic, I don't have any experience beyond my diploma program, and my per diem position as a NA. By the end of the week, I am hoping to have 5 patients. By the end of this month, seven.
I am looking foward to the challenge. A full load on my unit is eight patients. And I am looking forward to it. It doesn't scare me at all. Because I know that I can do it. Yes, I do have a preceptor checking me, but the object of orientation is to transition me from a student nurse to an RN.
Do I expect to be frustrated in the future, you bet. Do I expect things to be hard. Yes. And do I expect that there will be shifts that I wish I didn't show up, NO.
This being my second career since college (former prgrammer), I know to be realistic. And I know that there are things that I am not going to be able to catch until I have somemore experience. I have no regrets in becoming a nurse. And look forward to each day on the unit!!!
Adam, RN
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Started my first IV today and more...
Congrats!
and excited about my journey ahead. There have been so many angry posts. I'm so excited about school and the prospects of becoming a nurse and like you experience has taught me that life will throw me alot of curve balls. I'm great under pressure, but I am not looking forward to the egotistical or whiney folks I'm sure to encounter (every profession has them). I take pride in my work and if I can't I do what I can to make it right without pulling everyone else down with me.
CONGRATULATIONS, ADAM!!!! 
