alluvme

Thank you soooooooooooooooo much everyone. You are all amazing and I appreciate all your responses. I do think I need to get "thicker skin", not internalize everything and take it too personally. I dont think I am coming off as cocky but I need to maybe allow some of the others see me as needing a bit of their help also. I let my preceptor know how vulnerable I feel at times. It's just that I know how fast paced and intense L & D can be, and I want them ( and to reassure myself ) to feel that I do belong there. I also think that sinces the other nurse I was with didnt know where I was in my orientation or what I had done yet, she didnt know what to expect from me. So when she told me to do things I hadnt done I felt overwhelmed. I did tell her later on that if I didnt know how to do something that I would tell her and if did know how but never actually did it myself, that I would try. There is another orientee on the unit thats been there 3 weeks longer than me. Everyone is really nice there and receptive to new grads, for the most part. I really am happy to be part of their team and ecstatic to start my career in L & D. Thank you all, I feel so much better after reading your responses and having a good cry last night. I will try not to be so hard on myself. alluvme

I am a new grad hired on L & D and absolutely loving it..... except for today. The staff is wonderful , the unit is great and my preceptor is awesome. But today I felt a bit overwhelmed. Today was my 7th day on the unit, and we do 12 hour shifts. There were deliveries going on back to back and everyone was basically running. We had inductions, c- sections and several just walking in the door ready to deliver. My preceptor and I started out w/ an induction on pit, but I went in to help another nurse with a laboring pt and stayed with her until after she delivered about 1 1/2 later. My preceptor then sent me into another room to help the nurse with her delivery. That went well also. I continued monitoring my original pt and charting under my preceptors supervision. She has told me that I am a quick study and am doing very well. All the nurses ask me where I have worked before and are surprised when I tell them I am a new nurse. I try to carry myself with confidence and will do what I am asked if I know how. Inside I am scared and worried but constantly remind myself that I am an RN and I can get through this. My preceptor left early today and I was with another nurse who asked me to do many things that I have not gone through yet, just things that were discussed, such as testing for ROM and d/c from triage among others. she kept saying "oh , so you dont know how to do that". I also noticed some of the girls who were more talkative in the beginning with me seem very quiet now. Maybe Im paranoid or just trying too hard but can carrying myself with confidence be rubbing people the wrong way. I just want to fit in and learn everything I can. Thanx for your help, alluvme:nurse:

I was an EMT with the FDNY and was home asleep at the time since I worked 4-12's. My daughter woke me up and as soon as I saw the 2nd plane hit I knew it was an attack Called my supervisor who told me not to come in yet and not to go downtown. We were going to have some very very long days ahead of us and they needed me to come in later to relieve others. As I drove in from NJ the view to Manhattan was heartbreaking. I was the only car on the George Washington bridge as they were only allowing essential personnel in. I spent the day scheduling shifts, calling hospitals because we hadnt heard from several of our emt/medics, and hugging those that came in filthy and with the look of grief and horror in their eyes. I will never ever forget that day. It was in the weeks to follow that I decided that life was too short to wait for the right time... to go to nursing school and to generally stop being afraid to live my life.

I found the hardest part was getting all the required reading in. Never procrastinate. You usually wont have the time you thought you would to do it later on. And get used to missing your favorite shows on t.v.. Pharmacology ... go over, and over and over it. Good luck.

Thank you all for your words of support and encouragement, they really mean a lot. Today I turned in my equipment and badge and have been feeling down all evening. I guess it's because a chapter in my life is over. But I read your replies and I'm feeling better. I love allnurses!

there's no turning back! Today was my last day at the job I thought I was going to retire from. I worked there for 8 years and learned so much, but now I begin my career as a nurse. I graduated from nursing school in may and passed my boards july 12th. I start my orientation on sept. 5th in l & d. I am so excited about this amazing opportunity and am a bit scared as well. I cant believe it has all come together. when i applied to nursing school i didnt know how I was going to juggle a full time job at night and school in the day while raising 4 kids and married a non-supportive man. Somedays I didnt know how i was going to get through the day , but you just do. I knew I wanted to go into labor and delivery but along the way I saw myself doing so many different things. I'm an EMT and everyone thought that I would naturally want to work in an ER. I feel such a pull to L & D and feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to begin my career where I think I can be my best and happiest. I just spent the day giving hugs and saying my goodbyes to an amazing group of people that I worked day in and out with and now there's no turning back. I start a new career , meet new people and learn many more things about nursing , myself and life. I cant even put into words what I am feeling because there are so many emotions. I cant wait to see what the future holds. Thank you for giving me this forum to share these feelings.

Hi everyone, I'm hoping for a little guidance. I graduated in May and took the NCLEX today. I haven't applied for a job anywhere yet but would really like to specialize in labor and delivery (the reason I went to nursing school). My problem is that I'm a little unsure if thats what I should be pursuing initially. I'm an EMT in NYC and I've been told by several instructors that I would do well in the ED and that is where I should begin my career. I do enjoy the trauma, but it's the everday sore throat, back ache, intox and abdominal pain that I'm sort of tired of. I really enjoyed my OR observation as well as my short time spent in the ICU. Not moved by pediatrics, orthopedics or psych. Med/Surg was ok but not crazy about it. I'll just get to the point. I want to make the most of my new grad orientation and get the experience that will help me the most. Sorry about the length of this post. Any input would be greatly much appreciated. Thnx.

I have 4 daughters and they all ,thankfully, like their names. Elysa Ann (pronounced like Melissa without the M), Erica Janine, Cassandra and Deanna (pronounced Dee- anna).

Hi, I recieved my ATT through e-mail on the day of my graduation. Freaked me out because I thought it would take about 4 weeks. Scheduled my NCLEX for July 11. I'm in Middlesex County. Congratulations on graduating and good luck!

Congratulations Everyone! Pinning Monday, Graduation Thursday... Not taking an NCLEX review except for the mandatory 4 day, in class ERI course, but have Kaplan and Saunders review books.