lets hear from Nurses who started with No nursing experience at all!

Good Morning, Gil · Oct 12, 2011

I did! I had absolutely no healthcare experience before I went to nursing school, and like you, I wanted to be a CNA while in school, but actually, that particular hospital required 6 mo of CNA experience to be a CNA there, so I was like you, I just worked part-time in a restaurant.

Being a new nurse isn't easy, especially in LTC. I worked in a similar facility as a new nurse with short orientation and higher patient ratios, and I ended up doing very well there, BUT there was an adjustment period. It took a few months to get into a groove and get my time management down and gain confidence. Once I had all of that (took a few months like I said), then work was much more enjoyable. I went into work feeling capable that I could handle anything that arose rather than feeling like a sham of a nurse lol. I ended up being charge nurse at times with a full patient load, and handled that very well. You really can do it! I felt just like you when I first started.

Now, I am orienting in an ICU, which is pretty intense, obviously lol, it's intensive care, but I am so much more confident in myself and my abilities that I look forward to going to work even though I know I have so much to learn yet. I am confident in dealing with difficult families and being assertive w/my patient needs now, and that makes all the difference. You will see. IT DOES GET BETTER!! :). (and if it doesn't, then it may just be the facility and not you lol).

StrwbryblndRN · Oct 12, 2011

Same for me. I was a SAHM first before nursing school. I knew nothing but I was ok with it. I could not bring anyting to the table and my preceptor never had to worry about me saying "where I worked before we did .....".

Gently.me · Oct 12, 2011

I started nursing school fresh out of high school so I had no nursing experience, and not a lot of life experience as well.

The prerequisites were very ahrd for me, because I couldnt seem to understand how any of the stuff I was learning applied to life. Nursing school was very overwhelming, and I just studied to pass the test. i dont feel like a lot of stuff stuck with me.

I got lucky and nailed a few jobs where they taught me quite a bit, and I was able to practice. It's been almost 3 years now, and I still feel pretty lost. My aunt has been a nurse for over 20 years and seeing her talk with experienced nurses about medical related subject, I get soooo very lost.

I am an LPN right now though, and getting ready to go to RN school. I am excited about this because I feel like I have a second try, and I have a great foundation of WANTING to learn more rather than having to do it.

Good luck with everything guys. You all rock!

applewhitern, BSN, RN · Oct 12, 2011

I never worked in any type of medical environment before or during nursing school. The only time I set foot in a hospital was during clinicals. Five days after I graduated, I was hired as charge nurse for a 44 bed telemetry unit! With 5 days orientation. I learned "on the job" and real quick. That was back when hospitals were being pressured to hire more RN's. I was the only RN with 2 LPN's. I had to learn to read rhythms on my own, and of course, interventions. I did this for two years, then took a job in a pediatric ICU at a university hospital, where I had a good orientation of about 8 weeks. I learned a whole lot more at the second job. I spent my few few years out of school studying on my own a whole lot.

Forever Sunshine, ASN, RN · Oct 12, 2011

I am an LPN. I took the CNA test in nursing school after fundamentals and failed it. lol I tell my CNAs that and they giggle.

I learned on the job too. I had 10 days of orientation and walked into work one night expecting day 11..and nope. it was Day 1 on my own.. and its all about getting a routine down and sticking to that routine when things get in your way. (admissions, doctors, administration, residents off the wall, etc)

charlie8025 · Oct 12, 2011

I started nursing school at 52 years old as a second career. First one had absolutely nothing to do with the medical profession. I graduated and was lucky in landing a first position at a good hospital on the surgical floor. There was a good orientation, some issues but mostly 12 weeks. Went to nights and have been there since. I do pretty well generally, but am having trouble managing the stress from the heavy workload. Nursing is a good career, Im glad I got into it but gotta figure out how to make it work for me. Anyplace I go is gonna have stress so I gotta learn to manage some how

clarabow · Oct 12, 2011

I had no medical background whatsoever when I started my BSN program. Prior to nursing school I was a career waitress with a useless bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice. I was very naive- didn't even really know what a nurses job encompassed. Going for my BSN was one of the better decisions of my life. I swore in to the Air Force shortly after passing the NCLEX. I've been an OB nurse for 5 years now (still Active Duty). I've learned you will never know it all (and should never act like you do), and you must never stop or be afraid to ask questions. I still find myself researching things that I don't fully understand.

Palliative Care, DNP · Oct 12, 2011

Count me amongst the ranks! I went from SAHM of 4 kids to nursing school to working. Absolutely zero medical/hospital experience. I had no desire to be a CNA while I was in school. I have never understood how being a CNA prepares anyone for nursing. It is nothing close to what we do everyday except patient interaction. Unless you are just trying to get an edge somewhere to be hired then why even go there during school? :twocents:

tyvin, BSN, RN · Oct 12, 2011

I worked as a bartender in a very plush cabaret before entering nursing school. Live band until 04:00, long line at the door every night, etc... so stress and time management plus consolidating steps were second nature to me. I soaked the knowledge from nursing school like a sponge and went into nursing as if it was second nature. IMO you don't need "medical" experience to be a good student/grad.

ChuckeRN, BSN, RN · Oct 12, 2011

I had no healthcare experience.

Now I am working without a doctor (and one other nurse) in a State prison on weekends. Basically, I am a charge nurse and get to decide what happens to an inmate when they come into my ER. I do my assessment and decide whether to treat em, call the on-call doc or call for the EMT via 911.

I really love working weekends.

iteachob, MSN, RN · Oct 12, 2011

I was green as could be, but, that was 1984. There was a widespread (and fairly desperate) nursing shortage at that time. In fact, in 1986, I packed up and moved 2000 miles away, without a job at my destination. Went for an interview and got the job the same day....I never even doubted it would happen.