How was your first days as a working nurse?

[angelae250]

This is my second week working as a CNA II in a private doctor's office. I feel like I am being made fun of by the doctor's nurse. I only get 17 hours a week and floating between working at the front desk doing clerical work and assisting with vitals on patients. The clerical part is all new to me and they said I could learn but really didn't get much training. It's like try your best and ask questions if needed. I have made a few mistakes and the nurse laughs at me. This is my first CNA job and getting ready to apply to nursing school. I was curious how you dealt with being the newbie.

[roser13, ASN, RN]

Well, posting as a "working nurse" while working as a CNA will not gain you many sympathizers.

Best to keep in mind that a nursing assistant is most definitely NOT a nurse. It will be helpful to you in the long run to know the difference between the two.

[ixchel]

I'll gently second the previous post. The title "nurse" comes with years of education and a license that your patients will assume you have should you misrepresent yourself. Additionally, some states actually have laws stating someone who is not a licensed nurse cannot identify themselves as one.

That aside, I'm sorry for the crummy job environment. You'll find some people are more miserable than others and they like to spread that misery into the world. Just do the best job you can each work day, and then you'll know it's not YOU who is the problem. If it gets too bad, move on. Life is too short to intentionally make yourself miserable, too.

Hang in there, love!

[angelae250]

Of course I know the difference between nurse and CNA, I was asking if any of you as nurses experienced something similar as a new grad. (nurse) I never said I was a nurse.

[roser13, ASN, RN]

Of course I know the difference between nurse and CNA, I was asking if any of you as nurses experienced something similar as a new grad. (nurse) I never said I was a nurse.

I'm glad you changed your forum name.

[ixchel]

Of course I know the difference between nurse and CNA, I was asking if any of you as nurses experienced something similar as a new grad. (nurse) I never said I was a nurse.

Thank you for clarifying that. It didn't translate that way reading your post.

When you get your first job as a nurse in a hospital setting, you will usually be assigned preceptors who will work with you literally for months. You will not be able to work independently until it is clear you have mastered basics. You won't feel completely competent by any means. That comes with time - so, so much time. But you'll have a foundation you can build on, and hopefully other nurses around you that you can trust to help when you're stuck.

The first year as a nurse will feel very different to you than your first year as a CNA. In many ways, it will be the hardest thing you've ever done in your life. I say this as a woman with children and a whole other career before nursing, so I don't say it lightly. With those lowest of lows, however, will come highest of highs as you feel your abilities strengthen and your successes become more frequent. It will just be different. I don't think I know how to be more specific than that.