First time, signed "name, RN"

[JBMmom, MSN, NP]

Last night was my first night of on-the-floor orientation for my first RN job, obviously a long term care facility since I'm posting here. I'm thankful to have had this board to scour before starting, so I had some idea of what I'll be facing. I'm fortunate that my facility appears to be wonderful by comparison with so many. The turnover among nurses appears to be very low, and many were CNAs before becoming nurses. I'll have four WEEKs of orientation before I'm on my own. After nursing school clinicals, it was weird to just pull and give meds on my own. (Not on my own in a scary way, my preceptor had watched me pull them and was around if I needed anything- just felt very independent) I was reminded that I still stink at lung sounds, and I know I've got a big learning curve ahead of me, but I think this will work out. When it was time to chart, I had to look at it again after I signed my name and then, RN.

So thanks for all the advice and support, even if you didn't know you provided it, and I wish you all the very best.

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

Yay for you! Wait until you start signing EVERYTHING with RN...checks, cards.......:)

[cienurse]

Congratulations! Feels good, doesn't it-seeing all your hard work pay off! I'm glad you landed in a LTC facility that recognizes that new grads need more than just a few days' orientation and that they've given you a good preceptor to help you thru the bumpy road of your first weeks! You're on your way to a bright career and they are lucky to have you!

[T-Bird78]

Yay, congrats, and good luck. And just wait--you'll be signing everything with name, RN. I don't know how many checks and credit card receipts have ,LPN on the end of them. :)

[chrisrn24]

A facility that gives you four weeks is great! I think it'll be a great place to work!

[BostonTerrierLover, BSN, RN]

Congratulations!!!!:);

I was worried the New Grads wouldn't get to as much with all the new computer charting!! Glad you got to, funny how the little things are the most rewarding! Wear the credential PROUDLY! Welcome to the Profession, it's just the "Greatest" One!!!

Boston

[SoundRN7]

Congrats! I understand where you are coming from. I have been working as an RN for only 2 months and it still seems a little odd at times that I do not have a clinical instructor watching my every move. Signing "RN" after my name on all documentation seems odd still too.

[Nurse2b7337]

Yay!! Kudos to you;LTC is the best. The CNA's are the heart of the facility. I cant wait to sign my name, RN!!

[proud nurse, BSN, RN]

I was an LPN for many years before I went back to school for RN. I was so confused. At school I was ADN SN but every once in a while wrote LPN which of course was a huge no-no. At work I was LPN, then when I graduated I was GN, passed the nclex then became RN, but couldn't stop writing LPN. I was excited to be an RN, but couldn't get used to writing RN. LOL!

Congrats! You'll get so much practice in LTC listening to lung sounds you'll become a pro at it. 4 weeks orientation is great. I hope you get all 4 of it. I was promised 2 weeks back when I was an LPN, but got about 5 days. YIKES!

Enjoy the LTC experience. It has it's moments. Sometimes I really miss it, sometimes I don't...lol.

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

I've been an RN for 30 years and can still remember the day I was first able to sign a medical record with RN after my name. Yeah for you!! Good luck with your career.

[OnlybyHisgraceRN, ASN, RN]

Congrats! It feels so good doesn't it. I still get a tingling feeling when signing my name. Proud RN!!!

[OnlybyHisgraceRN, ASN, RN]

As matter of fact. When I was in nursing school, I would take a blank piece of paper and practice signing my name LPN and RN. It was my motivation.