Role change - EN to New Grad RN

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Specializes in acute medical.

I'm sure there are many of us around. As an RN I am really enjoying the new role, new skills and practice. I am finding the transition from EN to RN quite difficult, though I couldn't have a better ward to work on and my preceptor is great! I find:

  • it is hard not to say anything when you have knowledge that you have gained as an EN.
  • I am constantly told to "delegate". This is really hard when I still have the mindset of an EN...ie, I was the one to whom tasks were delegated. Also the last thing I want to do is alienate ENs; that is where I come from, and where I have learned so much.
  • I have come from a position where I have been confident, to being in a situation where I am not. I imagine all new grads are in this position, but how do you cope with it?

There are other things which don't come to mind right now, but I'd really like to hear other's thoughts.

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I'm sure you'll be fine.

If you've been an EN for 17 years you know what's bad in an RN and what's good cos you've experienced it for yourself. I've found in my experience that ex EN's make very good RN's.

And In a few years I might be join you.

The more they increase the Div 2(EN) scope, the more I feel like a RN on EN salary. ;)

Regards,

Levin

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Specializes in acute medical.
I'm sure you'll be fine.

If you've been an EN for 17 years you know what's bad in an RN and what's good cos you've experienced it for yourself. I've found in my experience that ex EN's make very good RN's.

And In a few years I might be join you.

The more they increase the Div 2(EN) scope, the more I feel like a RN on EN salary. ;)

Regards,

Levin

Its good that they are increasing EN/Div 2 scope. That is actually one of the reasons I did my RN. In the hospital where I work, medication endorsed ENs are not recognised. I find this very sad, as the hospital are doing themselves out of a very valuable resource, plus a medication endorsed EN may find it hard to accept that suddenly their knowledge is not recognised. Thirdly, it does not encourage ENs to further their training. Many of the RNs come from other hospitals, and they, in the main, can't understand the hospital's way of thinking either. The RNs are very supportive here.

How do you feel about being like an "RN on ENs salary"

Funny, isn't it. After 17 yrs I still identify with ENs, even if I have become an RN. Hated handing in that qualification...

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Specializes in Ortho/Neuro/Trauma.

just curious, i'm assuming "EN" is a similar term to our "CNA" which stands for a Certified Nursing Assistant. What does the E-N stand for? :)

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Specializes in acute medical.

An EN is an Enrolled Nurse. They have their own patients, and if they are medication endorsed, then they give their own medications as well. A typical uni/college course can be found at http://eagle.ntu.edu.au/NTU/Apps/coursere.nsf/P_Course_Select/99610E1D8443F75169256DE60005EB78?OpenDocument

ENs have their own patients, admit them, create care plans for them, use assessment and evaluation skills, much like an RN, and discharge them. They liase directly with allied health professionals such as doctors, physios, community nurses etc etc. They can give meds as per above. However, they do work under the indirect supervision of a registered nurse, who depending on the ward could be the senior, so they are relatively independent, within those guidelines. They are part of the nursing team... And there are now Advanced ENs, whose role I'm not quite sure of. ENs can also obtain specialty certificates, eg in psych.

In Victoria, ENs are called RN level 2.

Hope this helps...

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Specializes in Ortho/Neuro/Trauma.

oooh, that's really interesting. Thanks for the info :)

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How do you feel about being like an "RN on ENs salary"

I don't mind it so much because I'm back working agency and the gap's pretty small especially when you can do meds. And the fact that if a patient takes an ugly turn, we can call in the Div 1. It's nice having that backup.

Levin.

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Specializes in acute medical.

That helps. Where I am they are really supportive, so I'm probably in a similar situation.

You mentioned joining me as an RN. When are you planning to do it? You should find it helpful to have that medication background...

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Not sure yet, but probably within the medium term i.e

There's still lots I can learn about nursing as A Div 2. :D

Levin

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an EN is probaly like an lpn/lvn

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