RestoringHope

As a new nurse, five months into my first RN position, I am beginning to think through continuing education, but there are so many factors I feel weigh into the search. What I am looking for is a program that will fill in the blanks. I want it to be something truly enriching, not just another motion to go through to further my career. I'd really like to learn more about the healthcare system and how it affects patients/ hospitals, legal implications in nursing, community outreach, caring for the marginalized, etc. Here are several questions I have currently: Is it too soon to consider enrolling in an RN- BSN program? Would I benefit from having a year or two under my belt? (At our hospital we must obtain our BSN within five years of hire) Would online or a mix of online/ classroom education be more beneficial? What are factors you all considered when searching for an RN- BSN program? What did you look for in a curriculum? Some programs offer a clinical course-- if you were a part of a program with a clinical component, did you find it helpful to your current practice as a nurse? If you chose a program without a clinical component, why (I know, it's probably because we have such busy and demanding lives juggling work, school, and family), and do you feel a clinical component is needed when you are already a practicing nurse? Did anyone go through a program that really emphasized community involvement? A program that opened opportunities for it, not just theory? Would you recommend part time or full time for someone that is a new nurse working full time currently? (My thinking is that I'd need to go part- time to make sure I don't overwhelm myself, but how demanding is a full- time online program?) I look forward to your responses! Thanks and have a great weekend:]

Thanks for the encouragement everyone:) Ultimately I know I can't worry about what hasn't even happened yet and that I'll need to roll with the punches and adjust accordingly. I definitely hope to do the small things for him to let him know he's loved in my absence.

As my first job as a Registered Nurse, I am thrilled to be working on a Kidney Transplant unit! Though we are a kidney transplant unit, we also care for those with a variety of patients with renal diagnoses and med- surg diagnoses outside of the renal system. I have completed my first several weeks of orientation and have a few more weeks to go til I will be working independently. Though my time management isn't perfect, I do feel that I have progressed significantly and fielding phone- calls/communicating with the rest of the health care team has become easier with time. I have two questions, really. First, to all renal nurses out there, what can I do to maximize the rest of my orientation? I have been studying renal/ transplant medications,diagnoses, dialysis, and transplants but what other concepts do you feel are significant for me to grasp? Also, my second question has to do with providing compassionate care. In the midst of learning/perfecting new skills, and juggling caring for multiple patients, as I knew might be the case, I am finding it hard to make time to be emotionally in tune and helpful to my patients in the rush of tasks to complete each day. I always vowed to myself that I would care for patients holistically, tending to souls and hearts, but I am finding it hard to make time as I am still learning the art of time management and focusing on perfecting skills. Any insights on how to be present in the moment for my patients while there is a milieu of tasks awaiting to be completed would be greatly appreciated!

Hello all! I am currently in orientation to my first position as an RN and will be working 12- hour night shifts (7p-7a). I am so thankful to belong to such a great team and am so excited to embark on this new journey, though I am still a bit nervous about transitioning into nights and making time for my husband and staying close. I will be working three nights a week and he works days (8-5) and I wanted to know how other newer or seasoned nurses who work opposite schedules of their spouses still keep their marriage healthy. Any positive insights would be greatly appreciated!