Today May 16th, 2004 has been exactly one year since I walked across the stage. Time has defintely went by so fast. IT is soo hard to believe. I have been a R.N. for 7 months of the past year. It is incredible to see how much I have achieved and how far I have came.
I first took my boards July 21st but at 265 questions I did not pass. I knew why and knew what I had to do about the test anxiety. Three months later October 21st, 2003 I took the test over again. The screen shut off at 75 and I had to wait a couple days before I found out that while the second time felt like more of a challenging test I had indeed past. So to the new grads of course we all want to pass the first time but if you don't then don't give up. I have met some WONDERFUL nurses who had to take more than one or even two times before the finally passed.
When I first started I was scared of the doctors. I hated having to call them at 200 or 300 in the morning but then I realize that MOST doctors do not actually yell and scream at you and if they do there is 1 of 2 possibilities either they are tired and had a difficult day or they are just a general pain and you simply don't let them bring you down. Doctors do not intimidate me any more.
I was intimidated by the number of patients I had to be responsible for but All I can do is do the best I honestly can do and if I need help there are plenty of other resources out there.
The first code experience I had was not too long ago. It was not my patient but I went into the room when the other nurse was not available and she soon came in right after I did. The patient was crashing and we called a code. IT was frightening at first but when the room soon became extremely crowded with all kinds of people I soon realize that while it is frightening this is truly a team effort and I do not have to be so fearful.
Oh the skills I have learned putting down an NG on resisting patients, inserting foleys, starting IV's which is still a weakness for me but it takes practice to become proficient. The things I learned about patience dealing with difficult people, learning how to become organized and learning what to prioritize and what can wait even.
It has been a difficult 7 months working 12 hour shifts nights on a med-surg floor however it has defintely been exciting. There has been times I wanted to say that is it enough is enough but I know that this is one of the most difficult times of a nurses career. I can't give up now.
What keeps me in the game is focusing on my future plans, dreams, and desires. IF I give up now I will never reach any of that.
What keeps me in the game is reading my mission statement and my essay on the whole reason why I went into nurisng in the first place. That keeps me going. If you don't have a mission statement/essay on why you went into nursing in the first place. I urge you to write it out. You will need to refer to it especially when the going gets rough. Write it out along with your future plans, dreams and desires.
Develop a support system that is crucial to your success. If you do not have the book entitled Your first year in Nursing by Donna Cardillo. What are you waiting for. :chuckle Run out and by a copy. It is an invaluable book. Put it on your graduation list if someone is wanting to know what you would like. Even if you are not a new grad it is still a GOOD book!! I refer to it quite often.
I wish each and every one of you the best. Develop a plan of how to reduce stress. It is important and time for nurses to learn to take care of themselves. We take care of other but often neglect ourselves. Learn to take care of yourself.
