Brand New RN.... yippy!!!

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Specializes in Emergency.

Well... here I am, 3 weeks into my "new" career. I graduated in May and have taken a Med/Surg position, not my first choice, at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. WOW.. what a great BIG place to work. I absolutely LOVE IT. A world class teaching hospital with the most advanced technology in the WORLD, and all the greatest Dr's and RN's to teach me everything I could ever want to know. It is probably (not probably) IT IS the hardest, most challenging job I have ever experienced. I have read so many sad, terrible, unthinkable stories here about first year RN's and how terrible their experiences have been especially in Med/Surg, but mine has been very good for me.

I just wanted to start a thread about something positive in the "first year nursing". I feel very fortunate to have gotten the opportunity I have, to have the mentor I have, to be part of a fellowship that actually "teaches" best practices related to specific decease processes. I know there are alot of of problems with all institutions and my job has it's fair share of departmental communication breakdown, patients being lost, patients hanging on the call light, and a secretary dropping the ball on new STAT orders, but all in all it has been very positive. I had a meeting with an APN on my floor and we talked about the changing culture in nursing, and how this first year of nursing influences our careers long term. She talked in depth about making my experience positive and how that will follow me through not only my career at Barnes but everywhere I work. It will follow me when it is my turn to train a new RN, and teach.

I believe if I was not happy where I am I wouldn't stay. I know me, I can't tolerate inappropriate behavior or situations for very long. I believe we are given opportunities to "become the nurses we want to become" if we can only stay focused and not loose sight of why we were chosen for this profession. I hope everyone finds what they need and want in nursing. I believe I am on my way to where I want to be.

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Specializes in LTAC, Homehealth, Hospice Case Manager.

It's nice to see something positive...I'm happy for you! I'm 2 months away from completing my first year & I can't say it's been the best experience of my life. I made a poor choice for my first job, but what I've learned has been very valuable & I will take it with me. It has not dampened my spirits about being a nurse. I don't feel the discouragement that I read about in some posts. I'm still excited & look forward to learning every day. I'm looking forward to moving on & will be a little more picky with my next job. At least I know what I'm looking for this time! Good luck to you!

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Hey Steve - good luck...Barnes has an awesome reputation in the midwest. That's where we send all our patients needing multi-organ transplants. Good luck.

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Specializes in Telemetry/Med Surg.

I'm approaching my first year anniversary date as a new RN as well. I don't think I would change anything. There have been many, many of 'those kind of days' but I'm adaptable and still enjoying my job. I think I'll stay awhile. ;)

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Specializes in Geriatric, Rehab, and Pulmonary.

Hello,

I'm a new RN as well and just started my new job on a Skilled/Rehab unit this week. I have only worked 2 days and feel overwhelmed with all the extra paperwork involved on this particular unit but I enjoy it. God Bless!

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Specializes in orthopaedics.

this is so encouraging to read. as the days are getting closer for me to start my first job as an rn i am becoming more nervous. i am happy to read you are having a good experience. i hope things continue to go well for you.

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Specializes in Emergency.

Thanks everyone.

My intensions where to give hope when we all feel so different in our new positions. I really started feeling even more scared while reading what others where going through at their new jobs, I wanted to share something positive about mine. I was thinking I was doomed and would wind up with a nice shinney degree and working at the motorcycle shop, not that I don't love that, but I didn't live it and breath it and BE IT fro 4 long years.

Thanks again for reading.

Mom2bears.... I LOVE your icon!:lol2:

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Well, Steve, you sound ALOT like me when I first "got out" and landed a med-surg position! I have a feeling you'll do great. Remember, PLEASE, that when acuity of your patients goes up, patient load goes up, and you feel ready to bag it all, that you're doing a great thing where you are: too many give up too fast on med-surg, citing the heavy workloads, and miss the real reward: you're learning a HUGE amount of skills and gaining knowledge unlike anywhere else, period. The difference you'll make as an experienced, quality med-surg nurse is enormous! Trust me, I have been there: new, thinking I'd bail, not sure if this was worth it, not sure if I could cut it....and a year later I'm so glad to be where I am. I have learned more about such a variety of ills and ails than many of my classmates who chose to go to a more narrow field of nursing. This is NOT knocking any field of nursing, just stating that med-surg is a wonderful, WONDERFUL way to go for a new nurse. I wouldn't have it any other way, if I had to do it all over again. I had a choice, and I chose this, and although some days I feel like pulling my hair out, lol, and others I feel overwhelmed, in the END, I'm glad to have been there that shift. And that week. And so on.

Welcome to the crazy world of nursing! :)

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Specializes in Float.

So far no complaints from me either. I just got my license but Ive been working since right after I graduated (and actually before that as as intern) I feel like I have a lot of positive support at my job and I'm going through an extensive training. I won't be "on my own" until around Tgiving. I already feel like I've learned a TON of info and actually began to have experiences that tie together all I've learned in nursing school (ie heparin drip, coumadin toxicity, post surgical pts, etc)

I'm in cardiac but the floor gets a huge variety of chronic illnesses and there is every skill you can have - ng tubes, pegs, lots and lots of iv starts, foleys, etc. While sometimes I do feel a bit envious of my classmates who went to NICU or L&D or ER, etc I think I picked a good starting point to really get a wide range of adult health experience.

when a pt has a status change it definitely makes for more work but on the other hand it also is a good learning experience for on down the road when I have to deal with these things on my own.

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