New Grads of 2008 Please share your experiences as a new nurse and what to expect!

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Specializes in ICU Tech for 1 year.

I graduate this May and will be taking my boards the first week of June.:yeah: I start working June 16th at a Medical/Neuro ICU, I'm really excited but really nervous as well. Is it really true that alot of new nurses stress out hard core before going to work, I have even heard of alot of nurses feeling nauseas or even throwing up. I know its going to be stressful, but getting sick?:uhoh3: I hear the first 6 months are crazy so what is some advice you can suggest for this new grad to be able to handle the stress, and make a smooth transition from student nurse to RN

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This is my 3rd week on my own on a Med Surg/Telemetry floor.........I can't say I get sick before work, definitely butterflies in my stomach, but haven't thrown up yet. What has helped me is asking a lot of questions, volunteering to do as many IV's, folies, NG tube placements as possible while a student/while in training as new nurse. I also have a little notebook I take notes in, have a system in how I document patient info, use a clip board to store all patient info while working, I study at home still even as a new nurse. I also work the same 3 days in a row every week, so that I often times will get the same patients every day which provides continuity of care for myself and patient.:nurse:

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Specializes in PACU.

i started my new position in Feb 08 and occasionally still get a little nauseous on my way to work. its notthing extreme, just nerves. i tend to calm down if i ask questions and speak up if i am uncomfertable doing something.

its very exciting, but stressful at the same time. if you ask questions and have confidence in yourself and what you have learned you will make it:)

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Specializes in Telemetry.

I am going to be off orientation in 2 weeks. I have been at the hospital since January. My orientation wasnt that long, but at any rate I still get very nervous and I starting to stress about moving to nights. I have been orienting on days (630am -730pm) for the last 2 months and this week I am finishing my orientation on nights (630pm-730am) due to my position in fact will be nights. I will let you know how it goes whether i puke or not lol. I dont think I will but I am def going to be nervous! Any advice out there about working nights???

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Specializes in ICU Tech for 1 year.

Thanx guys for the advice. I guess the thing Im afraid of the most is being so consumed with fear before going into work, I want to enjoy my work and learn alot, and try to not be sooo stressed. Hopefully all will work out and it will be a great experience!!! Best of luck to all the new grads of 2008!!! :yeah::nurse:

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Specializes in ICU Tech for 1 year.

I am thinking of working nights too. Shift diff is $5.00 an hour extra and that would put me at $27.50 vs. $22.50 thats almost a $10,000 difference!! One thing I can advice about working nights is make sure you are a night person. If you are naturally a morning person it is going to be a hard transition. Also try and work ur 3 shifts consecutivley this will help you stay on a routine with your sleep. Also nights are great, the hospital is quieter and you don't have as many family members interfering with your work. You also don't have as many doctors changing orders and demanding an update on their patients. These are all great for a new grad b/c it gives you a chance to learn at your own pace, just be sure that you do not slack off. Take every opportunity you can to learn and focus on your patients and you will be fine!! Good luck!!

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congrats on getting done with school. YIPEE!!!

I have been in orientation since Jan. and have 4 weeks left. All I can say is I have my good days and my great days and I have my not so great days and not to many horrible ones. I only just about gave up once but thanks to my preceptor and her kindness, patience and wise advise (plus my husband wouldn't let me quit) I am hanging in there.

You will love it once you start your job and start to evolve into a nurse. I can honestly tell you it is unbelievalble the changes you will go through and you'll think go wow I get that now. It is such an evoulution and I am not at the point where it is getting easiier but I am learning how to prioritize, delegate, call md's without stuttering and hyperventilating; assess and make nursing judgments. Still can't get done on time and sometimes I get anxiety when to much is going on at once. I think the advice about carrying around a small notebook is good and also get yourself a good brain that works for you. I use a clip board too but i have to admit i am such a slob when it comes to writing stuff done. I keep hoping sometime soon this will all come togetherfor me.

So you see for us new grads there is so much new and so much to do. Just do your best ask questions always and remember pt safety is first of couse after the ABC's. I have found 99.9% of the nurses are helpful to me and will give me advice or show me . Be humble, willing to learn and honest!! Sorry this is so long. Just got off work of a not so great day & writing this and reading posts helps to stay grounded. Good luck to you

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Specializes in Telemetry, Observation, Rehab, Med-Surg.

thanks everyone for sharing. its interesting to read stories about how everyone is transitioning from nursing student to nurse.

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Specializes in ICU Tech for 1 year.
congrats on getting done with school. YIPEE!!!

I have been in orientation since Jan. and have 4 weeks left. All I can say is I have my good days and my great days and I have my not so great days and not to many horrible ones. I only just about gave up once but thanks to my preceptor and her kindness, patience and wise advise (plus my husband wouldn't let me quit) I am hanging in there.

You will love it once you start your job and start to evolve into a nurse. I can honestly tell you it is unbelievalble the changes you will go through and you'll think go wow I get that now. It is such an evoulution and I am not at the point where it is getting easiier but I am learning how to prioritize, delegate, call md's without stuttering and hyperventilating; assess and make nursing judgments. Still can't get done on time and sometimes I get anxiety when to much is going on at once. I think the advice about carrying around a small notebook is good and also get yourself a good brain that works for you. I use a clip board too but i have to admit i am such a slob when it comes to writing stuff done. I keep hoping sometime soon this will all come togetherfor me.

So you see for us new grads there is so much new and so much to do. Just do your best ask questions always and remember pt safety is first of couse after the ABC's. I have found 99.9% of the nurses are helpful to me and will give me advice or show me . Be humble, willing to learn and honest!! Sorry this is so long. Just got off work of a not so great day & writing this and reading posts helps to stay grounded. Good luck to you

Thank you soo much for the advice! I never thought of how I will be transforming to a nurse and each day I'll do something that I maybe wasnt able or comfortable to do. Now I don't feel soo nervous about starting work. I just pray I have an amazing preceptor! Thanks for all the helpful tips!

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Specializes in ICU Tech for 1 year.
congrats on getting done with school. YIPEE!!!

I have been in orientation since Jan. and have 4 weeks left. All I can say is I have my good days and my great days and I have my not so great days and not to many horrible ones. I only just about gave up once but thanks to my preceptor and her kindness, patience and wise advise (plus my husband wouldn't let me quit) I am hanging in there.

You will love it once you start your job and start to evolve into a nurse. I can honestly tell you it is unbelievalble the changes you will go through and you'll think go wow I get that now. It is such an evoulution and I am not at the point where it is getting easiier but I am learning how to prioritize, delegate, call md's without stuttering and hyperventilating; assess and make nursing judgments. Still can't get done on time and sometimes I get anxiety when to much is going on at once. I think the advice about carrying around a small notebook is good and also get yourself a good brain that works for you. I use a clip board too but i have to admit i am such a slob when it comes to writing stuff done. I keep hoping sometime soon this will all come togetherfor me.

So you see for us new grads there is so much new and so much to do. Just do your best ask questions always and remember pt safety is first of couse after the ABC's. I have found 99.9% of the nurses are helpful to me and will give me advice or show me . Be humble, willing to learn and honest!! Sorry this is so long. Just got off work of a not so great day & writing this and reading posts helps to stay grounded. Good luck to you

Thank you for the advice, I never thought of how I will be tansforming into a nurse and each day I will be able to do things I maybe wasnt comfortable doing before. I just pray I have a good preceptor. Thanks for the tips!!

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