Holy Cow... I'm really going to be a nurse!

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I just had 3 days of clinicals, I'm in my last semester, and it's really ALL coming together now. I kind of feel like I had a breakthrough with my feelings of abject inadequacy (I know those will come back when I'm a real nurse with a real license, but I am feeling empowered right now!)

I was able to help teach one of my patients about her new diagnosis, explain to her the procedures they will be doing and when one of the test came back unfavorably, was able to explain the surgery she'll have. It was amazing that all this info I learned about her particular system back in the beginning stuck with me.

I was able to figure out my other patient's blood gases and how it related to what he was experiencing, holy cow was that kind of cool! All those tables and youtube videos that made no sense, made absolute sense seeing it in action in a real patient

I was able to answer my co-sign nurses questions about the patients without hesitation.

I was able to teach my patients about their meds, how they are affecting the body, why they're taking them and some common side effects without looking at my med sheet

I know I'm going to have highs and lows when I'm out there untethered, but these past 3 days really brought me full circle in knowing that I have the info, now I just need to apply it :)

Anyone else have some "AHA! I'm gonna be a nurse" moments?

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

That is the Ahh Haa moment I talk about....good for you!!!!!

Congratulations!

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Welcome to the cool club :)

You are very very cool!

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Welcome to the cool club :)

You are very very cool!

and you are very very funny ;-)

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I have to say that is awesome! Congratulations on getting so far, and I wish you the best in your upcoming endeavors. It's good to know that feeling comes eventually! I'm in my second year and I have that feeling of inadequacy every clinlical (although our instructor promises us we are where we should be in our knowledge). Best of luck :)

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
and you are very very funny ;-)

I hope funny in a good way, not in a "let me avoid that weirdo" way. :/

Nevertheless, nurses are very very cool!

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I hope funny in a good way, not in a "let me avoid that weirdo" way. :/

Nevertheless, nurses are very very cool!

HA! yes, funny in a good way :)

I need a sarcasm button sometimes

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This "aha moment" is a great feeling, congrats and keep up the great work!

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I bet that is a great feeling. I still have a few months to go. Congrats.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Don't you just love it when a plan comes together??

I hope some of our students are reading this post. There are sooooo many posts complaining about 'unnecessary' or 'busy work' requirements & how patho-physiology classes are their downfall. OP's wonderful post is an acknowledgement of the effectiveness of the curriculum. The process works!

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I was able to help teach one of my patients about her new diagnosis, explain to her the procedures they will be doing and when one of the test came back unfavorably, was able to explain the surgery she'll have. It was amazing that all this info I learned about her particular system back in the beginning stuck with me.

because noone else would understand how cool this was to me...

I had this patient for 3 days last week. The day she was admitted through the testing to show she needed surgery and then last night, the day before she was being discharged. It was the first time I was able to see (from the nurses perspective) a patient from admission to discharge (who had a very invasive surgery). It was such a cool and unique experience. I got to teach her her discharge information, answer any questions, work through any worries and see what a difference the surgery had in her life.

Her grandkids were there last night and they were worried about her (old enough to know, but not old enough to fully understand) so I took them to see her tele monitor and show them her heartbeat and also let them listen to her heart beating through my stethescope. They thought that was the coolest thing to hear how strong her heart was now...

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