1st year of my nursing career as an RN!! need advice.

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Specializes in Developmental Disability.

Good day everyone!!! I just graduate last march 2007 then passed the licensure after that, right now as a volunteer nurse in a hospital (post graduate nurse training) but I had previously worked in a district hospital then transferred in this bigger hospital to enhance my skills and to get inside the OR where I felt I would be more effecient. I was assigned in a general ward where I felt I am not functioning as a nurse because the regular staff won't let us do procedures such as starting and inserting IVF's although i have a license to do so. I was hoping that they will be moving to the operating room but instead they moving me to another general ward.

Honestly, I am not happy being just a ward nurse. :crying2:

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thats part of nurse life , if thats what your superior assigned you then take it.

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You do not always get to select the area that you want to work in, especially over there. Having certification to do something is what you have with the IV training, there is no license for doing that. And having the training does not mean that one has the skills to do it.

There is much more to being a nurse than doing procedures such as starting IVs. But you need to ask why are they not letting you do these things? And are you also in a teaching hospital that has residents and medical students? They get first priority over there with any treatments and procedures.

And did you actually apply for the position in the OR? One must never assume that just because they want a certain area that the management is automatically going to place them there. They may feel that you need more time on the floors. They are the ones that make the decisions, not you. Even though you may think otherwise. And working as a volunteer nurse does not count as experience anywhere, unless you remain in that facility.

You need to stand out among the others, for being an excellent nurse, for them to want to move you to another area of your choosing. Are you doing that or are you complaining because they are not permitting you to do things? And are you a volunteer nurse there as well?

You may wish to look at going overseas and getting a job that will give you the experience that you may need.

Best of luck to you.

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Specializes in Neuro-Surgery, Med-Surg, Home Health.

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Nurses, like fine wines, need a lot of time to become one. You are young and very inexperienced, but I think that you are ready to 'conquer the world'. Hold your horses, young man. Remember, you will be taking care of human beings. You need time and experience, and working in the wards and taking care of patients on a daily basis will give you the critical experience that you need. You will see how patients respond to the medical and nursing interventions being given to them, whether in a positive or negative way. Nursing is not just about starting IV's. As a nurse you are a leader, a problem solver, a patient advocate, and most of...all a healer. All of these qualities need a lot of time to learn, and then be very good at doing these.

Be patient, have the will to learn new things, be open to suggestions and learn to listen to your patients and as well as experienced nurses. This will make you a much better and safer nurse in the future.

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Please listen to what the aove poster is telling you.

And I just realized, you are at the new facility as a volunteer nurse as well, this means training again for you. And since you are there essentially as a guest, then you need to accept what they are giving to you, if that is where you wish to be right now. You are going to need to prove yourself as someone valuable to them, not because you think that you are ready; they have to be the ones to decide that.

Best of luck to you.

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Specializes in Developmental Disability.

Thank you guys for your advice! I think you help me get back to the reality of being a nurse. maybe i just get frustrated for not being able to do my best and getting bored I just needed a boost or someone to push me to continue with my volunteer work.

I am just also being desperate to get a paying job because my parents are counting on me to help them send my siblings to college and my aunt and grand mother always discouraged me to do this since it is a non-paying job. At least someone can understand and gave me a real advice not to discouraged me. Again thank you guys!!!

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Specializes in Critical Care.

let see...your still a volunteer nurse, right? You know, there are alot to learn in a surgical ward. Some are just basics but mind you, some nurses dont know how to do it... Based from my own experienced..I dont know some of the basic procedures....

Its not that I dont like OR or something, actually I'm planning to ask my supervisor to trasfer me there maybe after few more months. Correct me if I'm wrong. There are alot of procedures in the ward that are not done in the OR. I can still remember what our supervisor told us. That she used to be an OR nurse from the beginning and that after few years, she was transfered to a standard unit and yet she forgotten to do some of the basic procedures done in the floors.

For me, its better that you practice in a standard unit first before on the special area. we can't always get what we want... There's a time for everything... If your really meant to be in the OR, then it will happen. And remember, your still a volunteer. In the the hospital where your working, do they assign volunteers to special areas? because I really dont think they would allow that... Dont rush things....

Regarding your aunt and grandmother, dont listen to all their discouragement... Ok maybe try to listen to some.. and use this as an inspiration.... When people talks negative things about me, I really love proving them wrong... Show your aunt and grandmother that they're wrong! ANd tell them that your already doing your best! And come on! Tell them the reality of nursing life! That its hard to look for a job in hospitals and that your already blessed with the opportunity that other new RN doesn't have... Its better than staying at home! Because if you do quit being a volunteer and just stay at home, you'll hear more of those negative comments.... You know what I mean...

They're not gaining from what your doing, you are...

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wow..a lot of great advisers we have here. I am also a new RN. I have the same plan with male_nurse22 and by reading this thread...this made me realized that having my license is still not enough. Every journey starts with a single step..and I am glad that I already made my first step. EXPERIENCE...EXPERIENCE...AND EXPERIENCE is still the key to success.

male_nurse22, I guess we should not rush things up...soon and I'm sure its pretty too soon that it will be our turn to be in the theater room. Am i right or am i right?! hehehe

to all who advised? i salute you!:bow::clphnds:

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