Looking forward to being a nurse, not looking forward to that first year

I think about that also. And I also wonder if you're more-than-likely to get the evening or night shift as a new grad, rather than the coveted day shift? I realize some people like the night shift, but personally I'd rather work days while my kids are in school.

Rene: I'm 99% sure that I'm going straight to graveyard when I graduate. (I have a work agreement with a hospital that's paying my tuition). One of the reasons I took my pre-reqs slowly was to give my daughter a chance to grow up a little because I knew my shifts would be unconventional (both during nursing school and once I was done). My husband is a police officer who rarely works day shift as well and we have no family in town... She's now a freshman in high school and will be coming out of her sophomore year when I finish so I'm not concerned about it nearly as much as if she were younger. AND nurses have told me that working graves as a new grad is actually preferable because you have more time to focus on what you're doing and why, do extra research, take things at a slower pace, etc.. something that's very beneficial for a new grad. In any case, I know other students who have similar concerns as yours Rene and have been told that they won't see day shift until they've gotten some seniority. I'm sure that varies tho, and in Portland your opportunities for getting what you want are most likely better than in other towns around the state (I'm on the coast).

And to the OP, I know what you mean! I've been in school for soooooo long and under stress for soooooooo long that I'm looking foward to just getting my life back at some point.. remember the days, when you went to work and came home and the rest of your time was yours? I barely remember it.. So vent away, you're not alone here.

yeah, the first year can be hard. I can't stress enough to all of you that you need to make sure that you get a great orientation with a great nurse. always ask that when they interview you...how long is it, can it be longer if you need it to be, how is it stuctured, any classes you need/can take to help...get with the education dept to see if they can help. When I interviewed I told them that i was going to be taking additional college classes at the same time and they both said that there was no way i was going to be able to deal with it. they were right...btwn working and trying to learn all the extra stuff it was overwhelming.

as to working nights, it is what i have mostly done-not originally by choice but now it is. i didn't want my kids in daycare and tried to structure my shifts around that-once they are all in school then i will be able to work less weekends and sleep while they are there and be home when they get home. i also prefer nights b/c there are less people running around in the hosp, esp administration! ha ha. when i worked on the floor it was also nice to work nights so i didn't have to worry about baths, meals and most visitors/docs getting in my way. or rt, pt, etc. the down side is that your pt load increases at night and you don't have as many bodies around to help if something goes wrong.

anyway, you'll get through it...esp as you are expecting it already. good luck to all!:)

How about that first year out of school? I am excited about becoming an RN, but I know that the stress isn't over when I graduate. I figure I've got at least a year or so of intense learning in my new position, added to the responsibility of being an actual RN. Sometimes I think I just can't handle any more time spent feeling unsure, nervous, anxious, etc. I'm so tired in general and tired of being stressed out over school and clinicals. I want to enjoy being a nurse and I want to feel comfortable in the role sooner rather than later. Well, just venting here. Thanks for reading.

I definitely hear ya ... I'll graduate in June.

I'm so excited about the prospect of being able to rightfully identify myself as a nurse, and work as a nurse instead of a student wannabe ... :chuckle But I know I'm in for at least a year of stomach-gnawing uncertainty, and probably a longer period of time before I'm really comfortable.

All of a sudden several people (not from school) have recently asked me, "so where do you want to work?" I can put that off for a few more months, but by March I definitely need to be in job search mode. Good luck to all. :)