Transitioning roles

I did not have a transition course from going to LPN to RN; maybe if I did, maybe the transition would've been smoother-maybe not.

For me, it was a steep learning curve, partly because my first job was in Critical Care in a PICU, where this was position where I knew would be more appropriate for me 5 years down the road vs as a beginner acute care RN-I worked outside the hospital setting most of my years and it had been 7 years since I worked in an acute care setting, so it was a major adjustment for me and in the end, I ended up leaving the position and seeking out opportunities to slowly build on my LPN practice and transition to my RN practice. I worked in LTC, then moved to a post-acute facility, then got another shot in acute care in a Level I Trauma Pedi ED, where I am thriving. I used every position to help build on my previous experience while learning the leadership aspects of the role of the RN-in LTC I was a nursing supervisor, where my role was continual assessment, updating care plans, and I also did the cart; I honed my assessment skills without technology-something I already knew how to do, but regained that confidence, as well as learned how to manage personalities that I had to lead; I took those qualities to a new Pedi Post Acute facility; where the acuity was higher and experienced emergencies that allowed me to think out the box and prepare me to be in a higher acuity setting; due to my experience as a supervisor, I would be a floor supervisor and help out the high percentage of new grads and was a preceptor.

At my current position, I am learning a new specialty, however I use my experience from my 7 years of being a LPN that have augmented my almost 4 years of being an RN everyday while learning and adapting to my new role; I also have slowly been giving opportunities to be more of a leader at the bedside and have signed up for opportunities to learn the ropes for those positions; I have thrived in my current specialty and plan to work on becoming knowledgable-I continue to self study and remain committed to learning.

I think the most advice I can give you is not to be afraid to take a position that will help you learn and transition into the role using baby steps until you find that niche.

Best wishes.