cupcakeluver

I'm a new ortho nurse...with about 4 months experience. I've been off orientation for a little over 2 months. I work the weekend night shift rotation and there's usually just me and one other nurse. Sometimes this works out great if there's not many patients...other times it's crazy hectic and I have 9 patients. We have no cna's on weekend/nightshift. I agree with previous posters about clustering things together. I start the shift by trying to organize tasks and plan accordingly. It doesn't always work out that way but it does help. And it really is true....you get better with time. I'm still slow but I'm much better than when I first came off orientation! Bathroom trips are the most time-consuming for me. I've learned to help someone get situated and make sure they can reach the call light. Then I have them call me when they're ready. That freed up a lot of extra time. Good luck. Most days, I really like my job. Wishing you the best.

I was hired prior to taking boards on a floor that I precepted on. I worked as a nurse intern and that title was updated (along with my pay) when I passed boards. Most of my classmates had jobs prior to taking NCLEX or started working immediately after. I agree that a lot of it depends on the state. Once you pass those boards and a license number is posted on your BON website....you're good to go as a registered nurse.

I'm not an educator. Just a new nurse with less than 6 months experience. I just wanted to comment that I was NOT taught percussion in my ADN program. It was explained to us but in very general terms. I was taught that it was a skill performed by advanced practice nurses. Apparently this is not true. I have never seen percussion used during clinicals or where I work now. I'm pretty new to the game so maybe I will see it eventually. Just wanted to let you know my experience.

I don't know if it's an actual "rule". My school had this policy also. We could not work 24 hours before a clinical day. We were told specifically not to work prior to clinical. Now you could work a shift after clinical...but not before. So go figure. The instructors never elaborated on whether or not it was a BON thing or just school policy so I'm not sure. I think it was a school policy though. So yes, I have heard of it and it was enforced at my school. If you were caught working before clinicals, you were sent home. It didn't happen often. My advice? Don't tell anyone you work that Friday! Just leave it out. Good luck. I know how hard things are financially during school. Hope it works out for you.

I'm a new grad in TN and I make $19 an hour. That's what most all of my classmates got also. This is hospital pay too. Hope that helps.

Nursing is HARD work. I'm a new grad with about 1 month experience on my own. I work my butt off every single shift. It's difficult physically and mentally. I always heard nurses say that it was hard and that you didn't really know until you were actually in it. Well that is so true. Clinicals are nothing compared to an actual shift with 6 patients. I work hard and I earn every dime of my paycheck. Money isn't everything. It is necessary though. If those nurses are making extra money for working in undesirable areas....then they are definitely earning it...one way or another.

I'm a new grad set to be on my own July 11. I've had multiple preceptors during this past month. I've had a pretty good experience so far. I think previous posters have given great advice. The only thing I would like to add is let your grad do stuff! If it's something you've been over and the grad is competent and knowledgeable then let them have a chance to try it out. I also prefer my preceptor to let me think a minute if I don't get something right away. I'm usually going through the steps or trying to recall something. I have a preceptor that always wants to tell me the answer. Sometimes I just need a minute to think about it and sometimes I really have forgotten/don't know. It helps me way more to actually do the skill/charting myself and think through the process. Obviously this is after my preceptor and I have went over the particular topic/skill. Also, I agree about lack of clinical skills. I did some things frequently in school and other things I rarely even saw. You want to let your new grad know that it's okay. It makes it so much easier to come to you and tell you that I need some practice with this skill or with this issue. It just really eases a lot of the stress that you're feeling as a new grad and it helps me learn so much more because I'm not worrying that my preceptor is thinking I'm stupid or a terrible nurse. I think it's awesome that you care enough to even ask for advice. I'm sure you're a great preceptor!!! Thanks so much for helping us goofy newbies during this difficult time!!

I just received my license this week so I know where you are coming from OP. To be honest....it's still hard. There's preparing for nclex and now I'm studying/learning a new job. I've yet to receive my first check with my RN pay rate. I get it tomorrow so we'll see how it goes. If it's what you love and what you want to do.....then it will be worth it. You're already a nurse so you know more than someone like me who is going into the field essentially blind. We learn a lot in school but you don't know what you don't know. I agree with the previous poster...you're too close to give up now. You've made it this far. Having nursing experience will make the transition to working at least some easier. I will say it's an incredible sense of accomplishment once you are licensed. I'm glad to know from other posters that it's worth it. Looking forward to that first check!! And that can soon be the case for you OP, if you get over this last hurdle. At least give it your all....you might be left wondering about the "what ifs".

Today was the day. I have completed nursing school and obtained a college degree. After 2 long years.....I'm so glad it's over. This website has been an invaluable resource for me during my time in the nursing program. I stumbled across it shortly after applying to the program, and I have used it frequently since then. I've learned so many tips and tricks through this site, including what to expect for clinicals and certain classes. As I begin my new career as a nurse, I will continue to use this website in the hopes that it will be just as helpful during my transition from student to actual nurse. I'm definitely sure I can find some good information about the NCLEX and the PVT trick..lol! Thanks everyone for reading. I'm just so excited to have accomplished this huge goal. I never really believed I could do it. I started off slowly taking classes. I set small goals...if I could pass anatomy then maybe I could pass anatomy 2. Before I knew it, I was in the program. With lots of hard work and dedication, I made it through. So thanks for being there allnurses. Whether you realized it or not...you helped this person to succeed. I did it!!!!!!

While I disagree with parts of your post, I can empathize with you about the subjective elements associated with nursing school. There is a LOT that rests on an instructor's opinion or subjective assessment. It's extremely upsetting to know that you are at the mercy of someone's opinion. It was one of the most difficult aspects of nursing school for me. Now, in a perfect world, those opinions are based on years of knowledge and experience in the nursing profession. The instructor is compassionate and capable of setting aside personal feelings and judgements. Does this always happen? Nope. Does it happen often? Not in my opinion. If you find yourself in one of these unfortunate situations, you better make damn sure that your objective skills are up to par. It's not always fair but it's life. And not just in the nursing world. As I'm learning now, job interviews are all about your ability to meet that manager's expectations and opinions.

Thanks for the story!! It does help us new nurses starting out. I'm not there yet....but will be soon. 1 week until I graduate and then the NCLEX. It sounds like you did an awesome job....for any nurse!! That patient was lucky to have you.

In my program...we got one day in the OR. This was during 2nd semester and med surg 2. I got to see a foot amputation. It was very bloody. I had a nice doctor who I believe was trying to scare me. He kept asking me if I got sick easily. Lol. He let me get up close and personal. I survived it though!!! Also, the nurses were rough in OR. I've heard it takes a certain personality to really excel in that area and that these nurses can sometimes be territorial. Anyways, I definitely had to have some tough skin to make it through that day. I'm sure that's not true of all OR nurses.......just my experience at that particular hospital.

To anyone.... So does it usually work? Is the person typically receptive and willing to discuss the issue? Or do they just ignore you or worse, behave in an even worse manner? I'm genuinely curious. I'm graduating in 55 days and I'm trying to gather all the information I can about being a successful new hire. Of course I was taught in school to speak with the person directly first. I just wonder how that goes over. My main question is....do you think most people are willing to work things out on their own terms? Does it just make the situation that much worse to tell that person you have a problem? I'm guessing it depends on the individual. Perhaps one should wait and scope out the individual before deciding to discuss the issue?

In my program, you only do stuff with your instructor during clinicals. You are assigned a patient and I may watch the nurse do her assessment while we're both in the room but that's about the extent of my interactions with the nurse during clinicals. If a skill comes up that the nurses are willing to share, they ask the instructor if we can take care of it. The instructor either says yes or no, depending on what all is going on that day, and then selects the student who will perform the skill. That student then goes with the instructor to complete the skill. I have never had a nurse show me anything during clinicals. They are busy with their own work. During preceptorship, which is during our final 2 clinical rotations in our final semester, we are assigned to a nurse to get a more in depth view of the nurses day. We are expected to set up our own times and provide our preceptor with a list of objectives regarding skills we may need to accomplish. These skills must also include things other than tasks, such as time management or organizational methods. The assigned preceptor takes a class to become a preceptor and receives additional incentive to precept (although it's not very much). In reading how all these other schools are set up, I'm so glad my school does things this way. Although it is a bummer to only have 60 hours of hands-on time with a working nurse, that nurse does have the choice to work with a student. It must be terrible to just be shoved in someone's lap for the day....for all involved. This sounds like an issue with the schools. The arrangement is not fair for either the student or the nurse. My advice is to make the best of it. Be kind and willing. If your assigned nurse still hates you, keep your head down and move on. Maybe the next one will be different. There are many situations in nursing school, and in life, that require you to just put your head down and move forward. If nothing else, it's teaching you how to cope in difficult situations which I'm sure will prove useful when you begin working as a nurse. Difficult people are present in many situations. Sometimes you just have to make the best of it. Good luck to you OP.

Great thread Jordym919! I'm graduating in May too, and I often worry about the "real world" of nursing. Looking forward to reading all the great tips. :)

Well, I feel overwhelmed frequently too. I'm in my last semester also. I start my preceptorship in 2 weeks. Our instructors have expected us to "be the nurse" since day one this semester. The issue is that half the things they're expecting us to do have never been covered in clinicals before. We have done a lot of different skills and assessments, but usually with prompting and an instructor along with us. It's a difficult transition for sure. My first piece of advice is to stop beating yourself up. You need to have some confidence. You have to know something. You made it to your last semester. The knowledge is in there. You just need to put it all together and use it. I understand this takes time and experience. You can't get down on yourself. If you don't know something then just say it. Then make a point to find out. You have to stay positive and not get freaked out. It almost happened to me. I was questioning whether or not I should even be a nurse. I finally managed to calm myself down. No way am I giving up after I've made it this far. I will be a nurse if it kills me. Lol! If you want to be a nurse then do what you need to in order to make it happen! My point is, you can be your own worst enemy. Don't let it happen. Also, be as prepared as possible. Go in early. Get your information. Look up what you don't know or understand clearly. You don't have to know every single thing but a basic understanding is good. Try to review those drips and vents that you don't understand at home. Look it up online and review your textbooks. I did all of this when I had a super tough instructor on my last rotation. I still didn't know everything and I still did dumb stuff. I was able to show her that I had made an effort and had a thorough understanding of medications and disease process. This helped me feel more confident and less nervous. What does your preceptor say? Are you getting feedback from her? If so, use it. If not, then talk to her. You can't give up now. You're so close to finishing. You have made it so far. Just take some slow deep breaths and try to be confident. You know stuff!!! It's in there. I hope things start getting better for you soon.

Yes, this is typical of my program too. It also drives me insane. I understand the tests have to be reviewed and it takes time to grade. It still makes me crazy. I absolutely hate waiting on my grade. I'm a nervous wreck until they're posted. I would willingly forfeit any points awarded after the review if I could have access to my grade immediately. It doesn't work that way though. It's just something you have to deal with.

Hoping for the best for you. Let us know how it turns out. :)

Sorry your placement didn't work out better for you. I can understand how it could be upsetting. It's your last semester. Just make it through. I didn't get the placement I was hoping for either. I am staying positive though. I'm just glad to have the opportunity and I'm gonna learn as much as I can on that ortho unit. Good luck with your capstone.

I agree with some of the other posters. If you make it top priority and truly apply yourself, you'll make it. Nursing school is no joke and you don't get it until you're in the middle of it. It does take time, attention, and discipline. You have to put in the time and effort. You can't always go out and party every weekend. You miss some of your kid's class stuff. It's late nights sometimes. If you can do that, you're okay. If you make other things more important, then it can become an issue. My class started with 47. We are down to 22 in my final semester and about 6 of those are repeats. Most of the people that failed just didn't put in the time. They started the semester with a borderline passing grade. By the time the final rolled around, they were having to make a 96 on the final to pull off the 80 final grade needed to pass the class. Don't do this!! Start off strong. Build up some cushion. Put in the study time. You do not want to go into a final with a failing grade. I'm not saying a person can't pass. It's just so much harder and not a good situation to be in. You sound like you're motivated and in an optimal position to be successful. Hang in there and push yourself. You can do it if you make the effort.

RnTweety.....Just curious...did you do any content review or questions only?

I think a big issue is that a lot of people don't realize that an ER is for an "emergency". I never realized it myself until I got into nursing school and was exposed to the other side of the health care equation. Am I stupid? Probably. I always just assumed if you were in terrible pain or feeling really sick, then the ER was an option. Especially if it's the weekend and no other offices are open. I live in a poor, rural community and most people don't understand a thing about the healthcare system. At all. It's shocking how much people don't know about healthcare and the issues included. I never really thought about taking space from someone else. I always thought that was what triage was for. The sickest person is seen first. I'm not trying to make excuses. I'm just trying to point out that some people truly do not understand that the ER is for potential life-and-death situations only. I think a lot of it comes down to misinformation and a lack of education. I know I've learned a lot from this thread.

Love this post OP. I'm graduating in May and I'm leaning towards working in LTC. I know things change so I'm open to other opportunities. I've always wanted to do LTC though. I like the idea of getting to know my patients. I like the idea of being a positive influence in their lives. I like the patient population. I've read a lot of horror stories about LTC so it's definitely nice to hear about the opposite side. It's good to know that there are nurses who love their jobs in the less coveted specialties. I hope to join your ranks soon!!

Hey SarahJane. I am starting my last semester in 2 weeks and I feel almost the same as you. My issue started with an instructor. She really hammered me and it got to me. I got super nervous and freaked out. And then I choked and made a simple mistake. The whole experience has left me questioning my abilities and if I'm competent enough to be a nurse. For me though, I've come too far. I've put so much time and work into getting to this point. I've always made good grades and I've always had excellent clinical reviews. This one rotation will not define me. I have to get through. There will be no other option. I know you've worked hard too. And the beautiful thing about nursing is that there are so many different opportunities. Yes, some may require experience. You can do anything for a year though, right? My first semester instructor has been a nurse for 30 years. She told us that she has never done an IV. She said she didn't like to do them and so she didn't. I'm not sure it will work that same way for you. However, I'm sure you can find some line of work where IVs are few and far in between. And maybe you'll have a great coworker who loves to do them and will help you if you help her. I'm just saying that when you finish in 6 months, you will have options. It's a lot of work to just start over. In the end, you have to do what's right for you.

The math in nursing school is pretty much the same. It's a few formulas, but once you know how to do those then you've got it. It can get complicated when the question has a bunch of distractors and you have to recognize what is necessary. Once you learn what the problem is asking, then it's the same type of math all throughout the program. You will use those same formulas, just with different numbers. I am not great at math. I'm starting my last semester in 2 weeks. I've made it this far. It can be done. You just have to apply yourself and keep doing it until you're good at it.