What would you do?

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If you could start your nursing career over to your first place of practice, what would you do different? What do you wish you could have done then, from what you know now?

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Specializes in Neuro ICU and Med Surg.

I wish I didn't stay there as long as I did. I wish I would have realized earlier on I was in a toxic work environment and would have left sooner. I think I learned a lot there. It took a toll on my health both physical and mental. I developed anxiety, had more migraines than ever. I had a migraine that lasted for 1 month and I couldn't get rid of it. Since I left that position my headaches got better and anxiety lessened some. While at the new position I was put on anti anxiety meds and now I am doing much better.

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I wish I had started earlier. In fact, I should have enrolled in the practical nurse program at the vo-tech straight out of high school. Then, I would have worked in a nursing home, saved some money, bought a car and then start working on my RN license part-time or maybe even full-time if things were going well.

Woulda shoulda coulda seems to be my life story.

But wouldn't we all do things differently if we could go back?

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Specializes in PICU, surgical post-op.

Am I going to sound too starry-eyed if I say nothing?

I went straight from school into the PICU, and have never regretted it. I think I'm far enough past the newbie phase now (having even lived through a strike!) that I harbour no illusions about management or the like. But, despite the fact that politics get us down at times, I love my unit and the girls I work with. Case in point: yesterday was slow, so we sent the EMS tech out to the supermarket ... *ahem* ... out to "gas up the truck" and then our charge nurse cooked us all pancakes!

I wouldn't change a thing.

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

Started earlier. Then, after getting comfortable, change work environment. I finally stretched myself out of my comfort zone then learned a lot more about nursing and about myself.

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

I wish i would have started my education earlier.

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I wouldn't have waited as long to go back for my MSN.

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Specializes in LTC , SDC and MDS certified (3.0).

I would have gone to med school instead right out of high school. :uhoh21:

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Specializes in School Nursing.

I would have gotten my school nurse certification and left the hospital for good, sooner!!!

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I would have gone to med school instead right out of high school. :uhoh21:

I like nursing, but I think I would have really liked being a doctor if I had found that out earlier in life before I had so many commitments with family, etc. But I am happy to be a nurse. :innerconf

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Specializes in NICU, ER, OR.

I wish I would have realized that what I really wanted to do was to become a doctor. I thought being a nurse would be enough of "in the medical field"that I thought I wanted. I soon realized my thinking and interests were more in line with medicine and dx than nursing and teaching, support, etc.

But, I am where I am, and not going to medical school in this lifetime...so I am trying to be the best uninterested nurse I can be....

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