New Nurse

I think it is quite natural to be a bit nervous about start a new career as challenging as nursing. You have been out of school well over a year, so you may feel a bit rusty as well.

If you have not been involved in nursing for that long, you may want to subscribe to several nursing journals if you have not already. Nursing 2007 is a good one that has brief but informative articles on a wide variety of topics. Read as much as you can to get up to speed and regain some enthusiam.

If you do not have current drug books, Merck Manual and Taber's, I would get one of each. Yes, you can look things up online, but being able to go to the book always helped me.

It probably would not hurt to have a good PDA as well with some quality medical programs including med programs, drug calcs, conversions factors, etc to boost your confidence and have ready reference.

Be aware that it will take a while to gain your confidence, but having been an EMT will certainly help.

Good luck on your journey. It is not always easy....in fact it is not easy at all, but hang in there and you will do just fine.

Hi there...Getting out into your nursing career will be the hardest part...but hang in there and go in with both eyes open! Once you have a job lined up I suggest re-reading over some of your basic nursing skills and definately utilize your training time in your new job to the fullest to get your skills brushed up and ask lots of questions!! Practice up on your basic assessment skills on your family members to build your confidence.

I just passed my boards also and am starting a new job monday as a dialysis nurse....and let me tell you I am having palpitations!! But i am so excited and cant wait!!!! Start reading articles to help you get brushed up.
Good Luck with your new career!!

-Kelley

I think it's perfectly normal to have this kind of anxiety. I had a plenty of anxiety and stress when I was first starting. From what I've seen, it's common.

Hi! I was extremely nervous when I switched from adults to peds, plus it was a different hospital. I think most people are nervous and I worry about those who aren't a little nervous! Your EMS experience should also be a benefit.
I wish you the best!

Congratulations on passing the NCLEX, now you can start to really learn. Its incredible the amount of information you can take in when you are actually experiencing it. For me (and most I would guess) it is intimidating and stressful when you first graduate but you have to remember that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Soon you will be the person your coworkers go to when there is a dificult patient. When I first started working I thought that day would never come. One suggestion I would make is to consider what the hospitals in your area are paying and how much it costs to live there. There are many places where nurses are paid exceptionally well, and unfortunately many more where RN's are not paid so well. Do your homework, the hospitals definitly need you.

There is a need for nurses everywhere. You don't have to limit yourself to a hospital. It looks like you have some experience behind you as an EMT, which can only enhance your career as a nurse.
I am also just starting out as a nurse and yes it is nerve wracking. It feels great though, knowing you are the nurse.

I am brand new to this forum and want to become a nurse. I do have two years of college course but no degree. What do I need to do first? Become VN then RN. Can I just go directly to RN schools? What are the best schools? Are online courses okay? As you can see I have no knowledge of the requirements but I am very motivated. I am single mother of 3 and they are all in school and I want to do something I feel passionate about. I believe being a Labor and Delivery nurse would be the greatest! Can anyone help this rookie?
Lisa