Seasoned nurses - a brief survey...

[Rocketskates]

It's 3am, I'm studying for my NCLEX is next week but right at this moment, I'm giving into procrastination for a few minutes...

1a. How far into your profession before you felt confident that you could handle whatever the average day threw at you? (weeks, months, years? I realize every day varies greatly, it's hard to define average, so just an approximation in weeks/months/years before you could hold your own in your position at the time).

1b. What nursing field were you working in at the time you reached that point?

1c. What relevant qualifications did you hold at that time?

2. Which did you find more challenging: nursing school or your transition to practice as a nurse?

3a. As a seasoned nurse, which would you say is more challenging: nursing school or your current nursing role?

3b. What nursing field are you currently in?

3c. What relevant qualifications do you hold now?

The reason I'm asking is because I often wonder how I'll do in my first few years as a nurse. I told myself at the start of school that I want this to be the hardest thing I'll ever put myself through, that way I know I can handle whatever life tosses me later. I fared really well in my pre-req classes and about average in nursing school, but I understand poor students can make really great nurses and vice versa.

TIA

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

It's 3am, I'm studying for my NCLEX is next week but right at this moment, I'm giving into procrastination for a few minutes...

1a. How far into your profession before you felt confident that you could handle whatever the average day threw at you? (weeks, months, years? I realize every day varies greatly, it's hard to define average, so just an approximation in weeks/months/years before you could hold your own in your position at the time).

1b. What nursing field were you working in at the time you reached that point?

1c. What relevant qualifications did you hold at that time?

2. Which did you find more challenging: nursing school or your transition to practice as a nurse?

3a. As a seasoned nurse, which would you say is more challenging: nursing school or your current nursing role?

3b. What nursing field are you currently in?

3c. What relevant qualifications do you hold now?

The reason I'm asking is because I often wonder how I'll do in my first few years as a nurse. I told myself at the start of school that I want this to be the hardest thing I'll ever put myself through, that way I know I can handle whatever life tosses me later. I fared really well in my pre-req classes and about average in nursing school, but I understand poor students can make really great nurses and vice versa.

TIA

Most folks start to feel confident at about the one year mark -- they realize that they can handle most of what gets thrown at them and that they know how to find answers for the rest. I was a bit slower than that -- 1.5 to 2 years. At about the two year mark, most are actually competent for the average day. Learning never stops, however. If you aren't learning something new every day, you aren't doing it right.

My first job was in Telemetry/Med/Surg. My qualification was my BSN and my license. Most of the certifications that are all the rage now weren't around then.

My transition from student to nurse was far more challenging than nursing school. Nursing is far more challenging in general than nursing school. Once you're through school and off orientation, the "training wheels are off".