What is your first day like as a "real" nurse?

[brokenroads27]

once you graduate and get a job....i understand that no one will hold your hand and guide you like they did in nursing school but will someone be there to help you? or are you completely on your own?

[guest64485]

You'll have an initial orientation with a preceptor which should be individually tailored to your needs. Then once orientation is done, you always have your coworkers to ask questions of, and the charge nurse especially is there for you. Nursing is always a team effort, even for the highly experienced crew. Everyone needs help, even if it is just lift help. If things are going bad with a patient, most hospitals also have rapid response teams to ensure your patient is stabilized, or, if needed, to transfer them to a higher level of care. You'll have resources all around you, including pharmacists that you can call any time for questions on administration of drugs, IV compatibility, etc, unit clerks, techs, respiratory therapists, and you can even call other floors to ask nurses questions related to their specialty. You are never really alone.

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

once you graduate and get a job....i understand that no one will hold your hand and guide you like they did in nursing school

not so. in the real world of nursing you may find more experienced nurses willing to hold your hand at any time. the safest thing you can do as a new nurse is to ask for help and have someone with more experience guide you or watch you do something for the first time.