Crazy and Rewarding Roller Coaster Ride: AKA Nursing

[BritBSNRN]

Hi all!

Here is a little bit about myself. I graduated nursing school with my BSN on May 9, 2015. I took NCLEX-RN on June 17, 2015, long and behold, I PASSED!!! I started applying for RN positions in late June and received a phone call from HR early July. I interviewed and job shadowed on a med/surg/onc unit. I absolutely love the unit and the teamwork I witnessed was phenomenal.

Recently, I accepted the job offer for a night shift RN position on the med/surg/onc unit. The nurse to pt ratio is 1:5-6. I start in September as new graduates are expected to participate in a nurse residency program which has extensive classroom learning and 12-18 weeks of precepting experience. I am so grateful for this wonderful opportunity.

I want to start this opportunity with my best foot forward and would like to know your experience (both new graduates and experienced nurses). Here are just a few questions I have and feel free to add more to this list:

• How do I make the transition from "student nurse" to "RN" easier?
  
• How should I prepare for orientation?
  
• Is this a typical nurse to pt ratio (1:5-6) for a med/surg unit?
  
• What are the pros and cons of night shift?
  
• What are some of the biggest mistakes new grads make?
  
• How do you handle being the "new kid on the block"?
  

I am so excited to start this crazy and rewarding roller-coaster ride we know as nursing.

[JaxJax5423]

One more thing.....always do your five rights of medication administration.....avoid errors!!

[BritBSNRN]

Wish you the best. Breathe, and you'll do great. Your first year will be tough, but it's about not giving up but giving yourself the time needed to have things "click."

Thank you for the advice and wishes. I have read and heard numerous horror stories on how tough the first year can be. However, with responses like yours, I hope this transition goes more smoothly. :)

[BritBSNRN]

Thank you JaxJax5423 for your advice!

[BritBSNRN]

@Chipee How's everything been going?

[chipee]

It's going well! It's def a learning curve from school and a bit overwhelming right now. But I think we're making progress. (At least hope) although I'm really not impressed with the classes were attending twice a week. Most of us feel it would be more beneficial to be on the floor since the classes cover basic things we learned in school but I think their going to revamp it for sept!

[BritBSNRN]

I'm happy to hear things are going well! :) I am also, nervous about the learning curve. I think almost everyone feels overwhelmed at first. & I hope the classes become more beneficial for you! Though, I also felt like I learned more on the floor than in the classroom. I can not wait to start in Sept.