Ha! Students following me?!

Nurses New Nurse

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Specializes in Urgent Care.

I am in my 3rd week of orientation, and a student had one of my patients. Her instructor was busy ( this was my instructor last semester!), so she asked me to pass meds with her because she needed an RN with her. I felt like such a phony! Granted I felt cofortable giving those meds but still, I was in her shoes a few months ago. What a weird feeling!

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Cardiac, ICU.

I get what you mean. I took NCLEX today and it's like when I get the results Friday, suddenly I will be able to sign off meds and charts and take phone orders. The thing I don't get is WHY! How in two days am I suddenly competent to do those things?

I know I'll feel like a phony too when I get a student ( or two).

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Specializes in NICU.

Especially when it's a student just a semester behind you who started with you, but failed and had to retake a class.

I have to admit I feel a bit like the Wizard of Oz; everyone else thinks I'm legit, but I know I'm just a guy behind a curtain :rolleyes:.

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Specializes in PCU - Stepdown.

I know this is not quite the same.... but I remember following a nurse who had been working for only 6 months. I was in absolute awe of her! She was so fast and she knew so much, I could not believe she had only been working for 6 months. It gave me hope that I really could get there!

I know your situation is different, and that would be weird..... But, remember how far you've come in those short weeks and she was probably feeling as I was when I followed that nurse. I look forward to the day and dread the day students follow me..... I only hope I can inspire them the way that nurse inspired me, and as I'm sure you inspired her! :redbeathe

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Specializes in Adult Acute Care Medicine.

It must be a weird feeling but, hey, don't feel like a phony!

You completed all of your course requirements, graduated, received your degree, studied for, and then passed the NCLEX. Those are huge accomplishments! You now have a lisence and she does not (yet). It is now part of your practice to ensure pt safty and oversee any students. :nurse:

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I know you were very nervous, and since I'm in a teaching hospital I know I may find myself in your shoes in a few months (and I too will be very nervous!) - look at it this way.

My friends and I have made a big deal over every "little" thing that marks our passage from student to RN. We called each other when we got our REAL Duke badges that say "RN", we called each other the first time we got to write the words "staff nurse" in a block that says "current position" on HR paperwork, my friend called me when she was given her locator badge for the floor. I'm starting work on Tuesday and I'll make the phone call when I get MY locator too!

YAY! We're RNs - we've worked hard, we've given up a lot - we deserve to get giddy over the small stuff right now.

You must have really impressed your instructor when you were a student and she must know that you're competent enough to pass meds with a student. Hey, to an experienced nurse that will probably sound like nothing, but I personally think it's a big deal! Congratulate yourself on doing a great job in school - and since you remember how it feels to be that student, chances are you impressed that student as well. You're proof that the light she sees at the end of her tunnel really isn't an oncoming train!

That said, it's OK that you felt odd, too! But :yeah: for you!

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Specializes in Peds Trauma, Neurosurgery, Othopedics.

Oh man! I know how you feel. I just graduated in May and I had my first student with one of my patients back in November. I work at a Pediatric hospital so they don't pass meds, but she followed me in the room to deal with a pain issue when the pt couldn't have any pain meds. So my student observed while I helped this kiddo reposition, used some hot pack and just kind of talked them through it.

After we left the room this student actually told me "I hope I'm as good of nurse as you are after I graduate". I think they had to expand all the doorways so I could get my head through them after that! ha ha ha!

:D

I was a really good feeling! I actually felt like a semi-experience nurse for the first time!

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Specializes in Telemetry, CCU.

Lol, this reminds me of my very first clinical in a hospital. I remember the nurse's name was Beverly and instead of RN after her name it said IPN. I didn't even know what that meant!! But she explained to me why she was flushing the patient's central line, etc. etc. We thought she was the coolest!!! Now I know she hadn't even passed her boards yet, but good ole Bev taught us a few things :)

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ok I know this has nothing to do with anything you ppl are talking about but I need to know what do you think about the radiology field is that a good field to get into or not???:heartbeat

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Specializes in Telemetry, CCU.

Try starting a new thread in the general section to get more responses

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Specializes in behavioral health.

i havent had too many student experiences... but i liked it =) it makes me feel like a 'real' nurse as i just graduated.

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Specializes in Medical, Paeds, Ob gyn, NICU.

I only started as an RN 3 months ago :yeah:

We only get 1 week orientation before we are on our own :uhoh3:

I had a student assigned to me 3 weeks after I started!!

I was still having to remind myself constantly that I am an RN now, and that I was able to give meds without supervision LOL:rolleyes:

Man it was a totally weird feeling having a student with me and asking me questions ect :p

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