Before you had ANY type of nursing training/education, did you know anything?

joanna73, BSN, RN · May 2, 2011

I'm sure most of us knew very little starting out, although some of the basic nursing skills are common sense (ie: bathing, bedmaking). You learn as you go, and no matter how experienced, the learning is ongoing. You will be fine.

roser13, ASN, RN · May 2, 2011

As a CNA, you do not need to have any prior knowledge. You will be taught all skills that you need to know.

Chin up · May 2, 2011

I was a CNA in HS and nursing school was Greek to me. I also had obtained a baccalaureate in Biology, no less. So don't feel badly. It will come. Peace!

Edit: was a NA, not CNA. They did not certify in the 70's.

Nascar nurse, ASN, RN · May 2, 2011

I worked in as a pharmacy tech in high school (long before there was any official certification for this)..also took vocation health in high school and thru that, that facility trained me to be an aide when I graduated HS. Like chin up, I was an NA as there was no certification in the mid 80's either.

JSlovex2 · May 2, 2011

i started out as a CNA so that i could learn some things before becoming a nurse. as a new CNA i knew NOTHING! i don't think i was expected to know anything either - how could i? i had an education and a career prior to becoming a CNA, but it wasn't in the medical field whatsoever. don't be afraid to ask questions.

mustlovepoodles, RN · May 2, 2011

I didn't know much prior to starting school other than some stuff my mother shared with me. She was an LPN and she would come home and tell me about things she did or saw. Still, it was a whole new world. I remember being stumped over learning to take a blood pressure. And there was one tmie when i needed to give someone a bed pan and i had NO IDEA how to get it under them or where to even put it. And bed-making? Seriously? No fitted sheets? ARRGGGH. Let's just say it was a very steep learning curve for me. And yet, here i am, 34 years later, still working in peds. :nurse:

wishfulthinking21059 · May 2, 2011

thanks... that's so reassuring :)on a different note...i didnt want to start a new thread...

would it be hard for me to switch from day to second shift? I mean, skills-wise. I'm being trained for a month on day shift with a peceptor. Because i have an evening class that prevents me from doing second shift (training is full time but i will then be working part time) ....and then ill have day classes, so thats why i have to "officially" on my own work 3-11.

will i be clueless going into this shift, since ill be learning day shift starting out?

sorry to be redundant..

wishfulthinking21059 · May 2, 2011

**preceptor....I can spell, but I sent this from a phone...

ImThatGuy, BSN, RN · May 3, 2011

I've always had an affinity to biology so anatomy and physiology was always my bag along with the other life (and earth) sciences. In addition to that I've always had an interest in diesease; more what they do (cellulary) to you than how to treat it. On top of that I've always had an interest in survival/what-if/DIY/worst case scenario stuff so with I'd done some reading about dealing with common "sickness" and injuries. Then in college I took EMT, a year later I went through paramedic school, then a decade later I signed up for nursing school. Did other careers in between, lol.

However, the nursing mentality, theory, etc...I knew nothing about. Wish I still didn't. LOL

canesdukegirl, BSN, RN · May 3, 2011

I think that by doing your training during the day shift, you will be much more exposed to a variety of situations that will leave you well prepared for evening shift. I will point out a caveat however: if you want to go to evening shift, you must display a strong knowledge base on the things that you are learning on day shift and show that you are strong enough to work independently within your scope. This means that you should show every aspect of dependability which includes completing tasks on time, completing them efficiently and effectively, coming to work on time and with few call outs, implementing a team work attitude, and recognizing when you should ask for help. If you show this kind of work ethic while you are in training, your NM will be more confident about moving you to evening shift when you request it.

Good luck to you...you WILL "get it", honey. It just takes some time and experience to get comfortable in your new role. Remember that everyone started off feeling overwhelmed and underprepared...you are not alone in this aspect. Be patient with yourself and don't forget to ask questions, no matter how silly they may seem to you. Your primary focus is on safety, so if you keep this focus in the forefront of your mind at all times, you will be golden.

JDZ344 · May 3, 2011

We don't even have NA classes here. Everything I learnt, I learnt as I went and thank goodness for patient, kind people who taught me .