transition to an RN

[hil78]

I am a nursing student about to graduate in may. i have to post a question for one of my classes. We have discussed role transition at great length. I am curious if anyone transitioned from a CNA or Unit clerk postion and how did that role transition process go for you?

[eccentricRN]

I think my transition went a little smoother because I worked as an extern during my last year. I also went to a different facility & was then hired back to the hospital where I had originally worked as an aide. The hardest part for me is the thought of ... oh, I'll get the nurse when asked something I'm unsure of... but now, I'm the nurse!

It still is hard to not feel a little guilty when I am too busy to help my aide.. I feel that I should & try to whenever I can, but alot of the time I just can't. I'm lucky in that so far the aides I worked with in the past have been very helpful & encouraging.. sometimes not the case if you remain where you worked as aide.

[helper T cell]

Hi i178,

Yes i am making the transition as we speak. Just graduated in Dec., passed boards and am precepting on the Med Surg unit where I was a CNA. It is hard for me to delegate to the CNAs but I am getting better. I feel it really is a bonus for my nursing career that I have CNA experience but I have to know when to delegate as there is much work to be done as RN. I believe in total team work and love to do total patient care but am finding that I really do need to delegate or I will fall behind in my work.

Another thing about the transition is as a CNA I was more task driven and now have to make alot of decisions about the care of my patients of course with the help of the team but still it is different. Like the above post said I used to be able to go ask the nurse and always defer to the nurse and now I am the nurse. Luckily for me I have alot of really supportive RNs on my unit that are really helping me. Good luck in school, it is hard but worth it! :wink2: