[sabrn2006]

I am a new nurse (graduated in May 06) and have been asked to talk to a group of nursing students in their last semester. My question for current students: What sort of advice would you want to hear from a new nurse?

[erickajones24]

Couls someone help me! I am new and I do not know how to post.
I will like to know, once you enter nursing school how long are the clinicals and nursing classes?

[adnstudent2007]

Originally Posted by StudentNurseInWNY

I am a new nurse (graduated in May 06) and have been asked to talk to a group of nursing students in their last semester. My question for current students: What sort of advice would you want to hear from a new nurse?

I am a student getting ready to begin my last semester. If I were to hear a talk from a new nurse, I would want to hear about the ins-and-outs of the student to nurse transition i.e. what orientation is like, the differences between student and nurse that they don't tell you about at school, what its like studying for the NCLEX as you also start a new job, the level of stress to be prepared for. That's all I can think of right now. I may add more later!

I think its really neat that your school has this. I hope my school has a new nurse talk to us as well.

[S.T.A.C.E.Y]

Originally Posted by adnstudent2007

If I were to hear a talk from a new nurse, I would want to hear about the ins-and-outs of the student to nurse transition i.e. what orientation is like, the differences between student and nurse that they don't tell you about at school, what its like studying for the NCLEX as you also start a new job, the level of stress to be prepared for.

Ditto for the above. Plus, the interview process, when most people got their jobs, how orientation worked, local places that were hiring--especially new grad specialty programs in your area, when most people started applying, the transition from student to nurse, reasons why new nurses leave/switch jobs so quickly/early, strategies you had to implement for success, what type of pay to expect, what things to look for in a 'good' job for new grads, new grads going on to masters programs, etc.

I can't think of anything else right now. We had a new grad come to talk to our class about her experience. She hadn't planned anything to say, and totally relied on us to shoot her questions...which of course she wasn't prepared to answer. It turned out to be a complete waste of time. Maybe ask the prof/director to get their students to come up with a list of questions to email to you the week before. That way you can answer what they specifically want to know, and you'll have a chance to ask any of your fellow new nurses about their experiences before you go to see the class.

[Megsd]

Things you wish you would have done/practiced/asked more (clinical skills, etc.) during nursing school (in this case, in your last semester) that would have helped you as a new grad.

[Kiringat]

I'd like to hear lots of funny clinical stories.

[sabrn2006]

Good feedback so far. I am planning to incorporate many of your suggestions.

I am going to talk about the NCLEX, how to make the most of the last semester, the difference between school and the "real world", what I have observed in other new nurses that helped or hindered them, mistakes I have made and learned from, how to cope with the stress. I also plan to give them a few funny anecdotes.

Thanks so much!

[sandybakes]

Hi, I'm an AO 16 month program, I would like to know how did you manage your time to study. I seem to be studying Patho all day and still get a 76%.

Originally Posted by StudentNurseInWNY

I am a new nurse (graduated in May 06) and have been asked to talk to a group of nursing students in their last semester. My question for current students: What sort of advice would you want to hear from a new nurse?

[zena231]

I would like to know what to expect as far as what happens when you apply for a position, how much training do you get after you start (orientation and such), how long does it take you to start feeling like you are the Nurse, not just a nursing student, how do people treat you as a new nurse, what about nursing internships??..that is just some of the things going through my head

[sabrn2006]

Originally Posted by zena231

I would like to know what to expect as far as what happens when you apply for a position, how much training do you get after you start (orientation and such), how long does it take you to start feeling like you are the Nurse, not just a nursing student, how do people treat you as a new nurse, what about nursing internships??..that is just some of the things going through my head

Toward the end of my orientation, I started to feel like a nurse. But........the first few times on my own were very surreal. I couldn't believe that I had to make all these decisions, that I was being entrusted to do so! And I am quite an independent person.

Other nurses generally treated me like the brand new nurse that I was (still am really). But the patients never knew that I had just graduated. That's the amazing thing. If someone came right out and asked I was truthful but I certainly did not offer this information!! Now, with only 8 months experience I am treated as just one of the other nurses. Of course, at times my inexperience does come into play. Really, though, nurses ask each other questions EVERY day about how to do something, about a med or whatever.

My program had optional nursing internships offered during school (after our 3rd semester of 4) and a required preceptorship at the end right before graduation. It was a great time to try on the nurse role and see more realistically what I would be doing as a "real nurse." I imagine each nursing program handles that a bit differently, though.