Having those "two letters" after your name

[rue2235]

So yesterday as many may know was Nurses' Day. I had my on unit orientation to my new hospital job as well. As I drove to my place of employment I was listening to the radio, a local station was having nurses call in to talk about their work and experiences and in exchange, they had a chance to win prizes. I grew emotional, more than having that swirl of nerves from anticipation, from the weight of seeing "RN" hang from my ID badge with my name on it as I looked down. I cant believe its there on my badge. How many times did I wear my less than crisp full white scrubs with my name badge with "SN" carved out after, still proud of it, yet feeling like it mentally held me back somewhere subconsciously? Now that "RN", I hold it with respect, with honor for all those who work hard to make it a profession. I want to continue this in my attitude, my ethics, my ability. Maybe I sound like a doe-eyed new nurse, but I want to be my best.

[studentnurse47]

Congrats! I cant wait to have those two letters behind my name.

[bas22]

It's a powerful moment when you see those two letters for the first time- they hold a deep sense of accomplishment. Just wait until you get to legally write it for the first time!

Your words struck me as very poignant and reflective- for that reason I want you to keep your original post nearby and refer to it often over the next 12 months.

As you have probably heard, it is after graduation and licensure that the real learning begins. The first year of nursing can be quite a ride- and the growing pains can, at times, can be a little uncomfortable. But know through it all, these initial pains are what is shaping you into a safe, well rounded and compassionate nurse- also know these such pains will diminish over time.

As a new grad, you will quickly learn that school teaches you next to nothing and because of that, you will learn more in the first six months than you did in all of NS school. You will also, for the first time, experience the full weight and responsibility your credentials carry. You will have moments where you will feel utterly defeated, insecure, inadequate, doubtful and exhausted. You will question your competence, your judgment, your skills, and your endurance. You will encounter moments when your heart swells with compassion and empathy; and moments it shatters with sadness and tragedy. You will be reminded that we are all human and we all make mistakes; this includes physicians. Each passing day you will realize how much you don't know, yet gain the understanding that you will never know it all- you have entered a profession in which you are now a lifetime learner. You will discover that you're not just caring for a patient, but you are also caring for the family as well- and by virtue of this, you will gain understanding into the art of nursing.

Above all know that the first year is far from a cakewalk and if/when things become a little uncomfortable, refer back to you post. Use it to remind yourself why you are here, why you chose this profession. Appreciate the unique role we play in the life of another- be it good or bad, we are afforded the opportunity to become a part of their story- and that in itself is a privilege. Don't ever let that pride, humility and passion diminish!

Good luck and welcome to the RN family!

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

You're one of us all right :). We're the ones that say "nursing is not what we DO, it's what we ARE". There are lots of good nurses who don't feel the same way; for them, nursing is only a job.

If you poke around here on AN, you'll see that this is a perpetual discussion that crops up on a regular basis.... each side trying to vigorously convince the other that it's right. It's like politics or religion - arguments don't really have an effect because each person's position is based on deep-seated beliefs that cannot be swayed with even the most logical and fervent discourse.

Just wanted you to know that you're heard - and understood. Welcome aboard.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

Happy Nurses Day/Week to all, student or licensed. May we all strive to be the best nurses that we can be.

Let's also not forget that some nurses have three letters after their name instead of two It's their week too!

[scaredsilly, BSN, RN]

You earned it, RN! It is an amazing feeling.

I went out to lunch with one of my classmates (we graduated a year ago), she told me that she actually signed her marriage license with RN after her name because she got so used to signing everything that way after she passed NCLEX! LOL She said that the RN after her name was just as important as the MRS before her name! I eel the same way. It becomes not what you do, but who you are!!

[Everline]

I can so relate. I recently got my hospital badge and it was an incredible feeling to see that "RN". Congrats on your achievement. May you have a very successful first year as a nurse!