This is pretty much how my first year in nursing went. Hopefully it will help those that are dreading the first 365 day journey:
Graduated on 12/16/06 in California. Was hired to ICU two days later. Took a good week off to basically drink coffee, play World of Warcraft, stare at the wall, and pack all my school stuff away (yay!).
Beginning of January I started studying for the NCLEX with a good friend from my graduating class. We lived and breathed the Saunders NCLEX review book (awesome study CD included). I practiced about 300 - 400 questions per day and wrote down all the questions and answers I got wrong. The hospital that hired me put on a free, week-long NCLEX review course with a MD; was an awesome refresher.
Took the NCLEX down in LA on February 24th. Computer shut off at 75 questions in 35 minutes. Found out I passed by checking online two days later.
Worked in ICU from January to May. I won't lie, the "real world" nursing is soooo much different than school. YOU are now the nurse and have to act accordingly. Took my ACLS, went to multiple codes, had very complex patients, and was loving it. However, I was on night shift (7pm to 7am) and was only making $24.75/ hour. Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. I was getting burned out by realizing that the hospital I worked at didn't pay very well at all and was frustrated that I wasn't making enough money (for a house, car, etc). I loved the patho and science of where I worked, but I was monitarily depressed.
I was hired by CDCR in May and have never looked back.
Last year at this time I was working as Loss Prevention in a local Target. For the year of 2006 I made just over $7,000...total. As this year comes to a close, I have made almost $109,000 (go-go overtime). It's crazy to think how much can change in one year.
So, to all of the new grads and those that are trekking through your first year: there is light at the end of the tunnel. You will arise from a timid and insecure new employee to a confident and experienced nurse. I can't count how many times I wanted to quit, find a new job, etc. I was frustrated, wondering "why didn't school teach me this?," and wanted to call in sick numerous times. However, looking back, I can say that I have definately gotten my "land legs."
Don't ever give up. The longer you're in nursing, the more you realize just how many different kinds of jobs are available to a licensed RN. If you truely aren't happy with where you are at: MOVE. I love nursing; more than I ever thought I would. If you were smart enough to get through school and the NCLEX, you're definately smart enough to be a competant RN. Never doubt yourself, use every experience as a learning tool, ask thousands of questions, and do your thing.
All of the best to those of you who have stuck it out and I salute all of you who are getting ready to start your own 365 day journey. You'll all do wonderful.
Oh, and remember to unclamp haning IV bags before you turn the pump on. Not that I have done that or anything...
Great post! I've been a licensed RN for 1.5 years now..and just passed my 1 year mark at the hospital I currently work at (started in November '06). A lot does happen in that first year, but you learn so much! I wish all the new nurses on their first year lots of luck and success!
Love your story. I can share a similar story as well....
I graduated December 14th, 2006. I had accepted a job on a medical surgical floor at a hospital which I did my internship at. I was very excited and scared. Many had expectations that since I was an intern, it would be easier for me.
I took the NCLEX on January 18th and also had 75 questions. It took me about 45 minutes.
I started my new job on January 8th. Six weeks of orientation and then 2 weeks of "resourcing" where I was on my own but had a resource nurse to turn to. I ended up doing 4 weeks of resourcing which was fine by me. Those were 4 very rough weeks of me doubting myself.
As I now approach my year mark, I look back at how much I have learned and how much I have yet to learn. I love my job, I love going to work. I had a student with me for 108 hours for her preceptorship before she graduates! She, too, was an intern and said she can't believe how much I have changed. That made me feel good!
Life certainly has changed in the past year. The road may seem long, but once you get through it you think, where has the time gone? I still ask questions and still have much to learn. But most importantly, I've finally figured out what I want to be when I grow up!
This is pretty much how my first year in nursing went. Hopefully it will help those that are dreading the first 365 day journey:
I was hired by CDCR in May and have never looked back.
Last year at this time I was working as Loss Prevention in a local Target. For the year of 2006 I made just over $7,000...total. As this year comes to a close, I have made almost $109,000 (go-go overtime). It's crazy to think how much can change in one year.
Oh, and remember to unclamp haning IV bags before you turn the pump on. Not that I have done that or anything...
how did you make $109,000 your first year out?? Please do tell! I work in Vancouver, BC, where cost of living is terribly high...like California...and I have started my first year @ $27.17/hour. I am a community health nurse so I don't get any shift or weekend differential. Any ideas for making extra cash? I think I will make around $50K this year.
to add to the "thank yous" in these replys I also want to thank you for writing about your first year. i will take some of your words with me as I go through my classes and with me when I work as an RN. thank you!!!!
Im not quite there yet but that time is coming. I will be starting my last semester in nursing school this Feb and cant wait to work as a new grad. That was great advice and encouragement. All nurses have been in your shoes at one point and there's more like us students that have something to look forward to. Thanks a bunch for the encouragment. :thankya:
Congrats! I am just a few months out from graduation (June 07) and yes, the real world of nursing is so very different from school. Same with the NCLEX, once that is over and done with, you certainly won't think like that test.
I have to say tho, where I live, $24.75 would be GREAT pay for someone right out of school. The veteran nurses that have 20 or more years of experience make around $27/hr. It's all relative I suppose.
The OP said she had to put in a lot of overtime. But must importantly remember the OP lives in CA were the cost of living is very high. Here $24/hr is below the average pay. Anyway, the CDCR does pay above the average. I knew a student nurse that wanted to work there because she claimed they paid about 7-8k a month.
Thanks to the OP for sharing her experiences and good luck to the others working on their first year. Happy holidays to all!
Thank you for this story. I'm at the 1.5 month mark at my first nursing job. I'm enjoying my experience so far. I'm glad that I have a 16 week orientation to get myself ready to work on my own. Even then, I'm not really on my own because everyone is very helpful and encouraging.
Thanks so much for your cheerleading! I myself am 3 months into Peds... which is ironic, I hated Peds in school and swore I would never do it... and here I am fresh off orientation (christmas eve what my first night "flying solo") and absolutely in love! Yes, some days are hard, and yes I have cried a few times (mostly caused by emotional exhaustion) I have come home from work, exhausted, hungry, feeling like my bladder may have exploded and collapsed on my couch, I have thought many many many times.. "oh god, I don't think I learned anything in nursing school!" but there hasn't once been a time where I've regretted this profession! I am actually willing to admit I'm genuinely proud of myself, and I'm not afraid of that sounding too concieted!
I think, as new nurses... that last part is very important to remember! If you take pride in the work you do, it really helps getting through the hard times!
:thankya:
DolphinRN84, MSN, RN, APRN, NP
1,326 Posts
Great post! I've been a licensed RN for 1.5 years now..and just passed my 1 year mark at the hospital I currently work at (started in November '06). A lot does happen in that first year, but you learn so much! I wish all the new nurses on their first year lots of luck and success!