New RN

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I graduated 12/10 and have been on the floor of my first RN position for two weeks now. I wasn't too fond of bed side nursing during nursing school and even doubted my happiness as an RN, but surprisingly I really love my new position. I don't know if it's because of my new excitement about everything or if it's something I'm really enjoying. I currently work on a nephrology/hemodialysis unit. It's a pretty busy floor, but what unit isn't? I'm learning so much and appreciative of everything! I didn't realize how many other factors would be indicative of you liking a job or not. For instance, my coworkers are all so helpful, honest and welcoming thus far, the techs are SO helpful and pretty much do everything they need to and people are actually "happy" for the most part. And the hospital is CLEAN. The majority of the RNs are fairly young so it's great that I can relate to people of my own age. I worked as a student nurse at a previous hospital and hated it so much I decided to leave. It wasn't clean, the people were unhappy about EVERYTHING, I was the youngest on the unit... Pretty much I'm glad I chose to leave! I've heard such horror stories from some new RNs and I feel thankful to have such a great start and a very good pay:) Happy and eager to keep learning!

:)

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Specializes in LTC, Cardiac Step-Down.

I'm glad you're having a good experience!

I'm also a new grad and am loving my unit, but being a new RN is just tough sometimes. I find the First Year in Nursing forum helpful for those moments, just in case you didn't know about it :)

Happy Nursing!

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

Congrats! I like to hear positive comments. Keep the spirit moving

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Thanks guys! I do plan to keep the spirit going! Yes it is very challenging, but I'm sure we'll survive:) Heck, we survived nursing school!

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I graduated two years ago, and spent my first year on a cardiac rehabilitation and stroke floor. I had a mixture of some really nice coworkers, and some really nasty ones!! I really enjoyed the nights when I got to provide excellent care for my patients, and learn new things. I never worked a midnight shift before, so I found it very hard on my body after a few months. I found a day shift opening in an specialty outpatient department at my hospital, and transferred when I could no longer handle being on midnights. Sometimes I miss being on the floor, but I enjoy having my evenings and weekends to myself again. :yeah:

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OP, i have the exact fears and experienced a similar situation. i worked in a not-so-ideal environment as a tech and never really enjoyed clinicals as a student nurse to have a specific field of interest. i'd always find myself saying "well, i didnt really love anything, but i didnt hate anything either". hopefully i will have similar experience as you are having and will find my groove and appreciation for nursing once i start my first job. afterall, i'm going to at least give it a go considering i spent four years earning this degree. congrats and good luck with your job!!!

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