Ok I have been on and off her for a couple of years, and I have read the vents from the New nurses. So my question is "What did you think Nursing was about? And what have you learned since then?
Maybe this will help some of the Nursing Students out there or the ones that are thinking about going into nursing.
I remember that I thought I was going to be able to take care of all of my patients needs and make them feel better. We were pretty sheltered in nursing school only having one patient at a time.
Then once I got on the floor. REALITY CHECK. Had so many patients I didn't know if I was coming or going. Some days going home feeling I hadn't accomplished anything, but some days going home feeling like I had made a difference.
I honestly don't remember what I expected....and its only been two years since I started my career! :)
BUT I know that what I have found has not surprised me except in positive ways, so there must have been some hidden expectations there.
I found that I can make a difference, that I can provide that extra touch to help a person in need. Yes I auscultate, palpate, stick needles into people and tubes in various orifices, pass pills, turn and position etc...those are all the bedside things we all do.
But I was pleasantly surprised to find that just one person can make a difference, and that I can be that person. I find a great sense of fulfillment in caring for people and I am glad to be a nurse and glad for the opportunity.
Yes I am new enough that some may say I still have my rose-colored glasses on...but I have a lot of life experience behind me too. (no spring chicken here!)
Nursing is a chance to make a difference AND be a professional AND use critical thinking AND do those tasks that we all expect nurses to do.
I guess that was the greatest surprise to me...how awesome it really is.
Specializes in Education, Acute, Med/Surg, Tele, etc.
This is an excellent question, and one I wished I had asked myself or had someone ask me when I signed onto being a nurse.
I got a grant to become a nurse after having my child. The midwives and nurses adored me and said I had a natural nack for it, and provided me with a grant...hmmm free career, work with people, help out...sign me up!
Other than that, and knowing full well that I would be dealing with body fluids and very sick people...I knew nothing!
To be perfectly honest...if I had shadowed a nurse before making that choice...I would not have become a nurse! Don't get me wrong...I like my job enough, pays well, I have fun at it, work with awesome folks (now) and really have a command on my own career...which with nursing can be very flexible if you know how...but I just never realized how labor intensive it is, stressful, and of course that wonderful nasty side to human nature that we all complain about often (abuse towards nurses from staff and patient's and patient's families).
Yeah, I guess when I thought of a career, I thought of something you work really hard at at first, then get some sort of break from the labor intensive stuff after 10 years or so...not the case (I don't want to be in managment or administration at my facility...and I like my facility).
Oh well...nothing I can't overcome, nothing I haven't overcome! :)
Sadly I am looking forward (hopefully) to an early retirement! LOL! But knowing me, I will still do nursing part time or something...it has become my thing...
didn't know that I was responsible for EVERYTHING that happened to my patient, including deciding if the doctor needed to have his or her attention drawn to the patient and what the patient needed. Thought they would just do that on their own.
Heck, i DO expect them to pay attention to THEIR patients on their own.
One doctor who liked to play with us explained it to me this way: "You are chasing me down to try to get me to look at a leg that you think might have a DVT. If you catch me, I have to look and then it's my problem. If I get away, then it's your problem because you didn't do your job and alert me." Oh, yes, fun and games.
I can't remember wanting to be anything but at nurse..now a decade and a half later I want to kick myself in the behind..problem is im just too darned tired to do it....i digress......
Specializes in telemetry, med-surg, home health, psych.
I started out with my eyes wide open and in wonderment..I was in awe of the nurses that I had when I delivered my son, they were great and I knew that is what I wanted to do....I just wish I had talked to some of them about what really goes on....
Some of the Dr's. are so degrading the way they have talked to me, other nurses are "out to get other nurses", I do not see team players the way they should be,,,,it is very depressing to say the least....
I still do not talk down to anyone but I see it done every day...I chose to leave med-surg and went into psych and it was the best decision I have made since becoming a nurse 22 yrs. ago. The stress level is not as high and I like working with the psychiatrists....I still see that nurses are not working together as they should be, but you can't have everything the way you expect, I guess...At least in nursing there are so many different areas you can try, to find you niche, that I still believe it to be a wonderful, honorable profession. I am very proud to be a nurse and enjoy it immensely.
MIA-RN
245 Posts
I honestly don't remember what I expected....and its only been two years since I started my career! :)
BUT I know that what I have found has not surprised me except in positive ways, so there must have been some hidden expectations there.
I found that I can make a difference, that I can provide that extra touch to help a person in need. Yes I auscultate, palpate, stick needles into people and tubes in various orifices, pass pills, turn and position etc...those are all the bedside things we all do.
But I was pleasantly surprised to find that just one person can make a difference, and that I can be that person. I find a great sense of fulfillment in caring for people and I am glad to be a nurse and glad for the opportunity.
Yes I am new enough that some may say I still have my rose-colored glasses on...but I have a lot of life experience behind me too. (no spring chicken here!)
Nursing is a chance to make a difference AND be a professional AND use critical thinking AND do those tasks that we all expect nurses to do.
I guess that was the greatest surprise to me...how awesome it really is.