I got in.. now I'm nervous.

HARRN2b · Mar 28, 2006

I am starting nursing school as well. My concern is the toxic environment that I keep reading about in medical settings. No, I do not expect everyone to get along, but I do expect a workplace that is not toxic, as I do not find that healthy.

mandana · Mar 28, 2006

I'm getting ready to start my last semester of nursing school. I really love it. It's hard work, there is no way around it. But, I can assure you that if you apply yourself and work hard, you will be given the tools you need to become a good nurse. To become a great nurse, you need experience and that just takes time and a willingness to learn.

In my clinical experience, I've only seen one needlestick and that was an experienced nurse - in her own words, she wasn't paying attention when it happened. I've never heard of a needlestick leading to death, personally.

As for the toxic environment, it makes me nervous too - because I've read so much negativity. In my personal experience, I've found most hospital environments to be great - in general, all the professionals I've come into contact with have been just wonderful.

Amanda

danigirl58 · Mar 28, 2006

i guess what i really need is some reassurance and some thoughts on how those that are already nurses on the board manage their personal safety in the health care environment especially with needles and bodily fluids.
also how many of the new grads went directly into patient care (hospital environment)?

i have just finished my education (which consisted of 450 hrs of senior nursing student practicum) ... wow its weird to say that ...... and i have just been hired at a major hospital in my city. i have learned a lot in school, but no matter how much you learn through books i can tell you that you learn tons more once you are in the real world taking care of a full patient load. i thankfully have not come across a toxic work environment yet as a gn. nearly all of the nurses that i have worked with are awesome and very supportive to new nurses (and senior nursing students).

as far as work place accidents my one thought on that is to pay attention to what you are doing. i thankfully have only poked myself with clean needles trying to take normal saline out of these stupid air vac ampules that my hospital has switched to.:uhoh21:

all i can say is welcome to nursing school . be prepared to work your butt off and experience the worse and hopefully some of the best times of your life.

dani

jillyk*rn · Mar 28, 2006

hi,

it's normal to be nervous;) . don't worry, you wil be taught how to be safe. you just have to be sure to use these practices (not usually a problem in school-nurses just get complacent after a while).

the "toxic environment" and hospital politics won't concern you. you will be so involved in your nursing school world, that you will have no part of that:lol2:.

nursing school is hard, but i think it is worth it!!

:balloons: good luck!!!

ImaERtraumaRN · Mar 28, 2006

Congrats on getting into Nursing school. It is quite the roller coaster ride but you sound dedicated and that is really what it takes.

Safety is incorporated into your schooling and it becomes part of your practice as a student nurse, and should be part of your practice as a nurse as well. Needlesticks are not as common esp. with all the needleless devices out there becoming the norm. I work in the ED and have only seen a couple - one was on a needle a trauma pt. had in his pocket and the nurse was helping him undress. It was a learning experience for all of us, and luckily all her tests came back fine.

So, if this is really what you want to do then relax and just go for it! Dont let others steer you off of your path. You will be so surprised at how fast the time goes.

lberghood · Mar 28, 2006

You have chosen to go into a profession that is difficult with a lot of responsibility. It is perfectly normal to be nervous and if you weren't i would be mor concerned. THE MOST DANGEROUS PERSON IS THE ON WHO DOESN'T KNOW THAT THE DON'T KNOW It would be ridiculous to expect you to know everything as a beginner so please don't be afraid to ask questions. Also do your part, study hard and take it easy on yourself. If you don't take care of yourself you wont be much good at taking care of others.

As for the toxic environments, I have been a vicitm of that myself, but I have to assure you that ALL NURSES DO NOT EAT THEIR YOUNG I remember what it was like to be a student and a new nurse and i always try to be sensitive and helpful to students and new nurses.

Seek out those who are supportive and try not to let the others keep you down Best of luck you can do it

It's up to you, the new young nurses to not tolerate the toxic environment and help to change the culture of nurses, anything that i can do to help let me know. AFTER ALL YOU WILL BE THE NURSES TAKING CARE OF ME WHEN I AM OLD AND NEED YOUR CARE

NaomieRN · Mar 28, 2006

I am getting ready to start nursing school in the fall. I have nothing to fear because I know the Lord will be with me. He has promised, to never leave me nor forsake me. I know God has called me to be a nurse; therefore, I will not be afraid of the unknown.

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." (2 Tim. 1:7)

Psalm 46: 1 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; 3 Though its waters roar {and} foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Mar 28, 2006

Congrats and good luck to you!

There is nothing to fear but fear itself. Don't let it get the best of you. Stay on your toes, never let your guard down, but relax. Yes, you can do it.

Nurse AllBetta · Mar 28, 2006

Thanks to all of you. The whole needle story and the fact that there is a website dedicated to needlesticks scared me. I'm pretty sure no one took on the rigors of nursing to die by pathogens. But I do feel a little better now.