What's worse than nursing school???

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OK, So I am about to graduate with my LPN. I plan on going on to my RN. Right now I feel very unprepared and I have many nurses I have shadowed tell me that I know nothing and I need to wait until I start working until I actually learn anything about nursing...Which I definately believe. I do feel I have learned the "BASICS" but not what I consider I need to start a job. Did anyone else feel this way when they graduated? What was your first experience where you felt "OMG, I learned nothing!"?????:bugeyes:

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Specializes in M/S, Travel Nursing, Pulmonary.

Hmmm, thats a tough one.

Ummm, having your left leg eaten by a gator while you receive a tobasco sauce enema from your mother in law. <_ nursing school is still worse.>

Lets try again.

Ummm.........having a foley inserted and being hung by it from the street lights in the nude on a bussy highway................<_ nursing school is still the winner there too.>

OK, one more try.

Ummm........having gasoline poured over your eyeballs while at the same time the same 80s hair band music plays over and over in the background..........<_ nursing school wins again.>

You got me. Cant think of anything.

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Hmmm, thats a tough one.

Ummm, having your left leg eaten by a gator while you receive a tobasco sauce enema from your mother in law. <_ nursing school is still worse.>

Lets try again.

Ummm.........having a foley inserted and being hung by it from the street lights in the nude on a bussy highway................<_ nursing school is still the winner there too.>

OK, one more try.

Ummm........having gasoline poured over your eyeballs while at the same time the same 80s hair band music plays over and over in the background..........<_ nursing school wins again.>

You got me. Cant think of anything.

HAHAHA Wow!!! I don't think any answer could beat yours because it's the truth (and the best). Thanks for making me feel a little better haha. *hugs*

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If you're asking what's more difficult/stressful than nursing school, my answer is, your first year out. Times a million.

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Specializes in M/S, Travel Nursing, Pulmonary.
If you're asking what's more difficult/stressful than nursing school, my answer is, your first year out. Times a million.

Now there is a good thread topic. What is worse, nursing school or first year in the profession. Thats easy for me, school was muc worse.

Most of my problems with my first year had to do with the amt. of OT I was doing. Once that was not an issue anymore, I was fine.

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I just recently "joined" this nursing forum. I think it is the best place for advice etc. that I have found regarding nursing. Since I have joined I have read so many "HORROR" stories from students starting their first job, first year etc. Even though I feel I am not totally prepared, I feel I have a good personality that will be able to get along with all sorts of people (nurses) I meet. Will this help me??? Any tips for getting my first job? I have been told getting a job in Med-Surg is the best bet my first couple of years just to gain experience, is this true?

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Specializes in M/S, Travel Nursing, Pulmonary.
I just recently "joined" this nursing forum. I think it is the best place for advice etc. that I have found regarding nursing. Since I have joined I have read so many "HORROR" stories from students starting their first job, first year etc. Even though I feel I am not totally prepared, I feel I have a good personality that will be able to get along with all sorts of people (nurses) I meet. Will this help me??? Any tips for getting my first job? I have been told getting a job in Med-Surg is the best bet my first couple of years just to gain experience, is this true?

I say this to all new grads. Dont jump at the money. Make your choice of first experience based on how well you think the orientation process will go and what experiences the unit has to offer. Dont be like most new grads who just go for the highest sign on bonus. That money seems like a lot at first, but you will feel differently about it after a few years in the field.

Most good sign on bonuses require you to go to a "high needs" unit. This unit has been targeted for the higher sign on because certain characteristics of said unit make it harder to fill positions on it. Low moral, poor pt. ratios, high turnover rate and heavy schedule demands (meaning, you have little to no flexibility on your schedule) are all common on "high needs" units. Your orientation will be rushed so Joe/Sally the vet. nurse who has been there for 13 years and hasnt been able to take a vacation since year 2000 can use their PTO. More than likely, the veteran nurses who are they kind of nurses you would aspire to be like have moved on, so you will be precepted by someone who graduated a semester before you.

Take a job on a unit that is not "high needs" and be picky about where you get your first expereince. In interviews, I used to ask who would be my preceptor. If they had no answer or became defensive, I knew there was no oreintation process in place and it was all ad lib. The manager who convinced me (and it was right) that she had things in place to support new grads had a list of 3 or 4 nurses she allowed to precept.

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Specializes in ER/OR.

Apparently the only thing worse than being in nursing school is actually working as a nurse!:roll

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Specializes in Med/Surg.
Apparently the only thing worse than being in nursing school is actually working as a nurse!:roll

:yeahthat:

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For SURE!!!!

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

If it makes you feel any better I despised LPN school but the RN bridge wasn't so bad. Probably because I was numb but working as a nurse makes it all worth it, imo. Keep plugging along.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

This is like trying to come up with something colder than absolute zero.

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