I am a new RN in a trauma one MICU. I remember when I was in school, I couldn't wait to get out. No more clinicals, no more stupid papers, no more teachers that seemed to desire you to fail. It was amazing when I passed my NCLEX, got offered a fantastic job and received my RN badge at work. I thought to myself, "Finally I made it."
Did you ever hear the phrase, "Don't ask for something because you just might get it?" Well that is how I feel right now. I am going through a 12 week preception with an amazing preceptor. She is cool, laid back and really helps foster my learning. I went to show her a med the 2nd day and what I was giving and she told me, "It's your license, make sure you do your checks...you don't need to ask me." It was a slap in the face with reality. It took my safety net away from me and made me realize the scope the responsibility that is now mine as an RN. I am in a constant state of hands on learning. I came to the MICU as an extern from the ER in the same hospital. It is a totally different type of nursing and the organizational skills are something that is lacking in my performance so far. I am not stagnant or behind in my learning at all, but It is a constant state of not knowing what the heck I am doing and how to manage care.
I am here to tell all of you in nursing school, enjoy it. Once you are an RN, you are really learning nonstop. It is stressful, but rewarding, but still stressful. Hell, we have critical care classes every week for like 10 weeks too so on top of my learning on the job, I am having to take quiz and test after test of critical care. I had to take 3 quizzes on Wednesday...Drug calc, EKG interpretation and physical assessment. It is by no means easy, but again, still rewarding.
Don't hurry through school. Enjoy the safety and structure of learning with somebody that is watching over your every move and step. The real world is a lot different. Cool, but defiantly not the same.
mariposabella
356 Posts
Thanks for that advice.