How was your first year?

Racer15, BSN, RN · Oct 23, 2015

Rough. I was a brand spankin new nurse in the ER. My preceptor was not very patient (he now jokes that if he could make me a decent ER nurse, he can do it with anyone), but it was HARD. I had no experience whatsoever, not even working as a tech or CNA previously. Regularly went into work expecting to be fired. Now I'm just about to hit the three year mark. It gets better!

Libby1987 · Oct 23, 2015

I remember it like yesterday when my immediate supervisor told me I should consider another field. I went home bawling and devastated. Thankfully it got much better but for awhile there I felt like total crud.

Not_A_Hat_Person, RN · Oct 23, 2015

Once I found a job (which took 10 months and a 200-mile move), it was rough. I worked in assisted living, passing lots of pills and acting as charge. I had no idea how to be a charge nurse, and I got very little direction. I stayed a year and started job hunting again. I found a job in what turned out to be Nursing Home Hell. I lasted 6 weeks. If I hadn't found a private duty job I would've walked away from nursing altogether.

jamsandwich2015 · Oct 23, 2015

Still in my first year and it is hard! When I was a student was relying on the lack of experience I was getting then being made up for in my preceptorship - doesn't happen!

quiltynurse56, LPN, LVN · Oct 23, 2015

Still in my first year and is improving. I have gone from not doing my charting until I reported off to the night nurse to having it done or almost all done by that time. I am in LTC and that means lots of meds, treatments and such.

lavenderskies, BSN · Oct 23, 2015

At the time I'm not sure what I would have said. I was young naive and spoiled. I was so intent on getting to my ultimate desired clinical area that I didn't appreciate what I had going on. I did enjoy most of the patients. It was a teaching hospital and I did like that aspect. It was high acuity not that I knew any different. I fell asleep on my living room floor regularly so it's safe to say I was exhausted. I have fond memories of my preceptor. She was patient as a saint with me.

Jules A, MSN · Oct 26, 2015

I guess my experience might be the exception but my first year was good. It was exciting and frightening at times but I felt proud of my accomplishments and loved my job.

O9eleven · Oct 26, 2015

I'm in my first year is nursing and have been very fortunate to work with great staff. It's tough at times because I expect myself to be as knowledgeable as my co-workers. I have to remind me that they have years of experience and I'm just starting.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Oct 26, 2015

My first year was good professionally,but rough aside from work. I moved to a small town from a large city which was a huge adjustment.

I worked ALOT, slept, and saved my money. I also enrolled in a course to pass the time. Looking back, I'm amazed that I survived. You can do anything with determination.

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Oct 26, 2015

Had the potential to be good, if I wasn't getting slammed with 7:1 and 8:1 ratios every night. It made me quit that hospital and break my contract with them. Best decision i ever made though.

JaxJax5423 · Oct 26, 2015

HELL....IT WAS HELL. After about year 2.5 I was finally confident and comfortable and did not have the dread and sickness feeling when I went to work.