New Grad

Everything. It gets real when you begin your first shift off precepting that you are accountable for your own actions . What you see in school is only a scratch of the surface. You're gonna be learning a lot and seeing lots of new things. Tie that with learning to manage time, review drugs, systems... It'll be tough!

Totally aggreed. As above, you've spent three years at uni learning how to write essays and about how clinical governance has dick all to do with giving an enema. Now you'll learn how to be a nurse i.e:

- juggle a caseload of 8-16 patients

- drug rounds, discharges

- staffing

- a break (hahaha)

- complaints, observations

- hold a bleep

- respond to cardiac arrests and other clinical emergencies

- act as a fountain of all knowledge in your chosen speciality

- support healthcare support workers/care assistants

- ensure Doctors dont kill anyone

- attempt to empty your bladder

- watch the matron walk past the ward and not offer help

And still find the time to charm the lovely little 86 year old lady with dementia, and take her dog for a walk around the ward.

It'l be fine mate, keep doing what your doing and try to enjoy it!

Good Luck and Take Care,

CNDave

(England)

Nursing school only gives you the basics, the framework you need to perform the job. The workplace is where you learn to actually do it.