RNOkie

Run..run hard, run fast, run like the wind and get the heck out Dodge. The fact that you came back after the first day speaks volumes about your character; either that or you are really glutton for punishment. (just teasing). Some facilities are a cess-pool and it sounds like you fell right into it. Just know that is NOT a normal practice; don't only resign, but tell admin to stick it you know where and never look back. Please don't allow this horrible first job ruin your view of nursing as a whole. It can be a very rewarding career, but it's not all wine and roses. Be ready for short-staffing, disgruntled patients, families and doctors, long shifts and lots of back biting. Sounds like you've got big shoulders and can handle yourself well, however. Also, one tid-bit of advice for future employment...if they pay better than most surrounding facilities, there is usually a reason why. Good Luck

Hang in there. I'm about to graduate RN in May and am scared witless. One of our clinical instructors recommeded the NCLEX 4000 CD. Don't know if that will make a diffference or not; it's just more questions. If your nursing school does the HESI thing, maybe you could ask to pay for a few more HESI exams. Our instructor has recommened taking them as many times as possible to get comfortable sitting for boards. Either that, or as the previous post mentioned, do the Kaplan or Pearson or whatever review. Also, remember that tests are so subjective; I hate them. They are no measure of your intelligence or your ability to be a good nurse; just whether you can read the questions correctly. Some people just suck at test taking, me being one of them. Sounds like you need a hug..believe me, no one will kick you harder than you are kicking yourself right now. Good Luck

I totally agree; plus you will get all the geriatric care you want in a hospital. If you are happy where you are, then stay. But it sounds like you are missing "getting your hands dirty". Look at doing Med-Surg at least for a year. You can lose so much knowledge and skills by not doing so directly out of school.

The Lord's Prayer for Nursing Students Our Father Who Art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name You see, I've got this test tomorrow.. And I need You to keep me sane. The hypo's and the hyper's Have got me running scared, And trying to keep all this stuff straight, Has left my memory so impaired. So, please, Dear Lord, forgive me, For it's not a lack of Faith; It's just that all this cramming, Has really strained my brain. I know You'll see me through this Lord, In this, I have no doubt. And when this last semester’s over, You'll watch me twist and shout. So, please, God in the morning, Open up my mind; Guide the pen that's in my hand, And leave no one behind. For Thine is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory, Forever and ever, Amen. Written by Jesus and SoonerLPN, SN March 3, 2010

Don't roll your eyes when I ask questions. It's nice to know someone gets it, but some of don't and need help.

Med-Surg is very overwhelming especially if you are a brand new RN without any prior nursing experience (you didn't mention whether or not you had been an LPN or CNA; just assuming:) However, a good solid year of M/S will give you the foundation you need for most any other advancements or specialty areas you might be interested in down the road. It is difficult and sometimes seems likd Helter-Skelter on steroids. I'm not sure where you are from, but i'm from SW rural Oklahoma and worked for a long time in a 30 bed hospital. We didn't have specialty units; just got what walked through the door. Also, we still did team nursing, which helped alot. However, if you decide not to stick it out, I tend to agree with the above posts; psych nursing may be your best option. Just know that what you are feeling is completely normal..I know that probably doesn't help, right now. I feel as if that is why there is such a nursing shortage is that you get thrown to the wolves and yes, sad but true, we do eat our young..which isn't right at all. Lots of potentially GREAT nurses leave the profession due to the situation you are in right now. In the past, I have been guilty of not sticking around in one place very long; but because of the nursing shortage, I've found that, although it's not a good habit to get into, most employers are willing to overlook it just to fill a schedule. The advantage to this is you will never have any difficulty securing a position in another facility before the ink gets dry on your resignation letter. Like the others have mentioned, try to extend your probation period or switching shifts. If that doesn't help, maybe a smaller faciltiy would be a good starting place for you. But, I do feel M/S is a crucial foundation for a good, and eventually satisfying career. Good luck and best wishes.

A little anxiety is good; that means you're taking your job seriously and yes what you are feeling is totally normal. If you were'nt scared about it, then that would be a problem. I got my LPN in "99. It scared me so bad, i went to work in a donut shop. I'm not kidding..then took a job in hospice b/c just as the previous post said, i thought at least I can't hurt them.. but I will say this: I lost so much in those first two years by not going directly to med-surg that I feel it really hindered my growth as a nurse..you can onlly retain so much info that is crammed into your head during school, most of which you will never, ever use. I am now about to graduate RN school in May. I feel more confused now than when I started. I used to be pretty good at Care Plans, but after having to re-submit so many of them, i'm questioning myself on that also. And yes, that old familiar feeling of being aboutsolutely PETRIFIED is once again rearing it's ugly head. I'm scared to death b/c now it's my responsiblity, and I don't have the cusion of the RN, and I'm thinking "no way are they turning me loose with these pt's." But, in retrospect, I haven't killed anybody, there will always be someone there for support and I don't want to make the same mistake as I did before by not jumping in with both feet. It's good to be a little scared, but don't let it hinder you. Glad I saw this post, now I don't feel so alone.

oh my!!!, ruby vee, you truly are my hero!!! i wonder if we are long lost cousins or something because you took the words right out of my mouth.:yeah::redbeathe:redbeathe

I would like to loose the totally useless care plans. I have never understood their value in the first place. (except for taking up valuable time that would be better spent in other areas, like, oh i don't know, SAVING A LIFE")

I also spent a LOT of time in college; actually got my PA ( party animal) degree. I figured as long as I was in school, I didn't have to get a job.:) However, I would agree with the previous posts; nursing is a very forgiving, for lack of a better term, profession when it comes to one's past/background and often directors take much of that into consideration. I would strongly encourage you to pursue this career choice. With a double degree, especially with one in business management, you would be invaluable and highly marketable in health care administration, if you chose to pursue that field. God knows we need all the administrators we can get that have a good nursing backgroud and have actually walked the halls, not just looked at numbers. Good Luck.

You know, I had never really thought about it that way..looking back, I swore once I get my LPN license, that was as far as I wanted to go with it, but am now an RN to be. I tend to get a little defensive whenever I hear the word "mandatory". ( although I grew out of most of it, I am still a little rebellious;)

thanks guys for putting my mind at ease; alot of my fellow students have already checked into it and if those are their aspirations, great, i wish them all the luck in the world. It just doesn't sound like it is something i would be interested in pursuring. Glad to hear it's not a new rumor...

Thanks guys, it really set my mind to ease to know this is not a new proprosal. Makes me wondering if it's a marketing strategy for additional funding??

I'm thinking the EXTREMELY high profiled health care reform situation has got everybody a bit apprehensive about taking on new employees. I know I'm a bit freaked out about it, especially since I will graduate RN school in May. who knows what the heck's going to happen??? Having a hard time adjusting to not being able to just walk in and being hired on the spot. Miss the good old days.

That's more or less how I felt about it.. if they think there is a shortage now, wait until this goes thru. I just hope I graduate soon enough to be grandfathered in..otherwise a rural mailman sounds like a cush job:) Thanks for the heads up on the Atkins thing..will certainly research it.