How was your first year in nursing?

labdad1234RN · Mar 22, 2009

it's similiar exerience to what the girls went through but i think the difference in my situation has a lot to do with more of personality type than gender. my first year is about to end as we speak and I have went through what i would term as "transitional" periods. The first transition is realizing that you are a licensed "RN" and with it comes responsibilities. The second was the orientation era when I was learning so many new things not taught in nursing school. I felt the rush of information in my head and hopeully remember everything. Third was my first major nursing procedure performed -with a doctor's order of course. it was tough because i was in an emergent and fluid environment and performed the tasks as if I was doing them for years, though it was my first attempt since nursing school. Fourth would be the "oh my G__, I'm a charge nurse?" new responsibilities and twice the feeling of dread. Yes all the emotions were there in all the transitions I went through such as feelings of being the dumbest nurse around, fear, anxiety, name it. But as I mentioned in another posting, that sense of fear will help make you a safe and excellent nurse. I never want to be complacent or miss anything critical that may harm the people in my charge.

Going back to the personality type, I think that in my case, I am one of those people who just cannot "give up" that easily without a fight. I am very determined especially if I get into situations that seemingly are at odds with what I am trying to accomplish. I view the difficulties experienced as challenges that will be eventually be met and overcome.

Once you begin working as a nurse, you will know best how to deal with the strsses that will come with it. We all experience things differently through the filters of our own perceptions, values, and backgrounds.