MonyRNcali

No one can prepare you for the reality and responsibility that come along with Nursing. It's overwhelming, scary, frustrating, and chaotic! Every nurse I know has said the first year is the toughest. But you made it through a program and that already says your a fighter! But why did you begin nursing in the first place? Do you like to help people? Do you enjoy interacting with others? Find what brought you to Nursing to start with and seek out jobs that mirror those passions. I had doubts my first year as well and now 9 years later I'm still discovering where I fit in best, but every experience has given me growth as a person. Find your hardiness and always always take care of your health first!

I also struggle with working nights and maintaining a relationship. The most recent ideas I have been trying and working out so far is to coordinate days off. It may not always work out but for the most part it allows me to have a day to myself to recover and then a day I can spend with my Boyfriend. It's about finding a balance and an agreement that works for both. Don't give up, just try and find a happy medium!

This week I learned 1. living by the ocean is amazing but having family and friends close by is heaven. 2. Being the "newbie" is torture 3. Nightshift cuts my tolerance for just about everything in HALF! 4. Designing a studio apartment is a skill that baby Jesus decided I did not need 5. I absolutely need more than a 30 minute break on a 12 hour shift!

Anyone taken the ECG test at this hospital? I've never worked on a Tele floor and have been studying but could use some tips of anyone has ever taken it.

I am currently on my first assignment, 2 weeks in and it is a little harder than I thought but not impossible! I have never lived alone and after living in the same city my whole life, working on the same unit for 6 years I decided to shake things up a little and begin travel nursing to relocate to Southern California. I have good days and I have lonely days. A travel buddy would be great but don't let it hold you back from the experience. And FYI research the area well. Some areas are crazy expensive to live!!

Trying to finally get my BSN degree. I have all this motivation and no school to apply it to! I would love to hear of anyones experiences at different schools, online programs. I am in California so if you are here also that would be awesome!

I am starting the search as well for a RN to BSN program in California. The budget cuts here have alot of the CSU schools in limbo about admitting for Spring 2013. I am really wanting to go to a class room based program to network and really expand my knowledge in my nursing career, but I am starting to consider online programs. I hear about how expensive the University of Phoenix is and National University and now I am just as confused as before. I would love to hear any experiences anyone has had with online programs and in class programs. I have the motivation to start working on my BSN but choosing a program is more difficult than I thought it would be!

Ive been on nights for 4 years now, and have discovered the only trick is a very dark room and to limit caffeine early in the morning. Noise is inevitable considering most of the world is awake lol, but turn the phones off. It took me at least a year to learn to sleep in the day..but now that I've gotten the hang of it..its lights out within 10-20minutes :zzzzz

So here I am single, divorced for a year, and trying to get back into this dating thing. Also nightshift which should explain the 2am posting I have dated a few guys that are not in the healthcare industry and I am thinking that is something I should try. The posts here of having someone to relate to on that level are definately making me realize that dating another nurse could actually be a great thing. Im hoping for the best. Now to find someone that understands the nightshift life is a whole different subject. lol