Year 1 Down!

Congratulations! What a great feeling. I'm looking forward to being able to say this too!

Congratulations! It's very refreshing to hear excitement despite some days of hell lol. Just think of how much you'll learn in this second year :)

Very nice! I too have my first year of RN behind me. As I look back I am pretty encouraged by the critical thinking and confidence growth. I took a new job in ED and am thrilled! I do have 1 serious regret... I really wish I would have matured at a younger age, because there are so many exciting "avenues" in nursing to explore, and I am past the age of possibilities on some of them. Congrats to you!!!

(Really wondered if this day ever existed when I was in nursing school)

First off, Congrats Tarabara!!!! I can't wait 'til I can say the same!

And exit96 when do you mean? What avenues do you feel you past the age of possibilities on?

Congratulations! I hope to be saying the same thing by 2014/2015!

Congrats! Any advice handling confusing, potential unsafe situations? Can't find a good mentor at work. Am 5 months from my 1 year mark. Am often 1 of 2 RNs on Med/Surge floor, work nights, 5-6 (sometimes 7) patients per nurse and pushing meds for new LPNs. Just feel confused most of the time as I won't get feed back on my performance till weeks/months after the fact when details are fuzzy. The usual answer I get after realizing potential problems is "don't worry about it...you're new...no one got hurt". Appreciate advice from anyone. Would love to re-post at my one year mark :)

Well I am 49 and I would have liked to go on with schooling, and maybe be a flight nurse, but at my age I cannot justify the financial cost as I would never recoup in time to be feasible. And I am not as limber as I used to be, concerning flight nursing. I started after my dream profession way too late in life.

Congratulations! I know it may seem a short time but you learn a lot from this one year of nursing!

Thanks everyone!

Jarhead, I'm sorry you're work situation isnt supportive. I'm lucky to work with a great group of people who I can always turn to when I have questions. What about the nurse who trained you during orientation? Do you feel they can be a source to go to? It may sound obvious but I guess I would advise to always double, triple, quadruple check everything, dont get complacent and chart to CYA. I wish there was something better I could tell you :/

I officially have 1 year of nursing under my belt :) I know I'm not seasoned yet but its exciting to look back at all that I learned this past year and think about all there is still to learn. I've met so many amazing patients this year too who have touched and inspired me. I wont lie, even as a new nurse I still feel burned out every now and then but overall I'm so excited to have many more years of nursing ahead of me. We have the best job!!

Well done and many congrats on completing your first year. I always tell students I'm working with that most find the first year the hardest, adjusting to shift work, a new area of study, the emotional issues that come with nursing... Its hard, very hard. If you can do the first year and still love coming to work, then you will make a brilliant nurse.

Congrats!!! I am a few months away from mine. :)