I have always wanted to be a nurse. After working as a CNA for two years, I finally graduated RN school in December. I work on a busy Med/Surg floor in a small, community hospital. I was very excited to start working as a nurse, and I thought I knew what I was getting myself into... I am working on the same floor I worked on as a CNA, so I'm in familiar territory, however the role is much different. I have no time to have a real conversation with any of my patients, no one is available to help me with taking them to the bathroom, changing diapers, etc. Our medications administration times were just changed from 1h before, after to 30 min before, after.. so all of my medications are always late now. I always have 5 patients, and most of them are from nursing homes and require total care. I have seen quite a few dangerous things going on around me, and yet no one is being punished for their actions. I feel like I am in a dangerous position and am fearful of my license. I LOVE being a nurse, but the facility I work in makes me HATE it more every day. I need 8 more months of experience to have a full year. I'm scared to move somewhere else because I'm a new nurse. Any advice??
