Hey Everyone,
Wow, it has been a really long time since I have updated my blog! I have missed blogging and I am going to make an effort to really try to get in more posts. I have just been so super busy and tired, but now I will hopefully be blogging more. I also have a lot of questions which I hope to get to within the next week (I’m so sorry, and I will try to get to them all).
I thought I would take the time to give a good update and share some of my overall views of the RN nursing world so far =).
What My Nursing Career Has Been Like So Far (Career Wise)
After finally getting my degree, passing the HESI, and then the NClex, I was finally able to get serious about my nursing career. I had my nursing license in hand, and I was excited. The process, however, was still a very slow process (in fact, I am still not finished).
First I had to take a lot of specialized classes (such as m dysrhythmia course) at my job so I could gain the specialized tools I needed for the area I will be working. Luckily, I have passed all of my certifications first try thus far (lucky me).
I actually got really stressed at one point because the dysrhythmia test was quite harder than I thought. But I was so excited when I passed. It brought back too many memories of school and having to study!
So I have most all of my main “classes” over with at my work, and now I have been just working the regular 12 hour shifts. I still have a couple more things to finish as far as classes go, but I don’t have to do them for a while, and it is no big deal at all.
Also, I have been able to give medications after getting my license (and I did have to take an actual medications test as well), so that is really cool. It was a bit frustrating having to continually ask other people to give them for me, but now I can give them, which makes things go much more smoothly.
I am also going to be on my own within the few weeks, so that is another big step I am waiting to take. I am slowly but surely getting the feel for everything.
Nursing: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly!
There have been some very great things that I have experienced while working as an RN, and also some not so nice things. I thought I would summarize a few of them:
Good Things That I Have Experienced as a Nurse:
- Nice Patients–Some of the patients I have had have been really nice. Some even have very interesting stories and life experiences to share. I am always so thankful when I get these patients, as they seem to make the whole day go by easier.
- Teamwork & Co-workers— I have had some great people to work with at many times throughout my journey so far. I have learned so much just by being able to ask questions. Some of the nurses I work with are especially nice and always take time to answer my questions or explain things. So that is always a plus.
- The Income–Well, after working for nothing while doing clinicals and school, it sure is nice to finally bring home a better paycheck. Nursing is a career that pays reasonably well, and I am very pleased to have finally got some RN paychecks. They will come in handy and hopefully help my husband and I get a house soon.
- Great Company–I really like the place I work, and I am definitely glad I chose this place to apply. I think things worked out well, and I am glad I didn’t go to other places I have considered (especially after they actually recently laid off workers).
- Nice Schedules–I REALLY like working 12’s now that I am done with all of the extra classes/studying. I usually average 3-4 days per week that I work, and often they are consecutive. So it is so nice having a stretch of 2-3 days where I can do anything (and catch up on hobbies such as my blog). I like it much more than having to work 5-6 days per week.
- The Feeling of Helping Others–One of the reasons I chose nursing was because I always enjoy the feeling of helping others. There have been times where I have been complimented by a patient, or given good results on a survey, and it really made me feel great inside. I really try hard, even though some days it is hard. I sometimes get a lot of older patients, and I always try to pretend as if they are my grandparents. I was always close to my grandparents (and still am), and I know that I would want a nurse to be very nice and caring to them. So I always try hard to treat everyone how I would want my own family (or myself) to be treated.
Basically, things are working out well. To those who are still in nursing school, or considering going to nursing school, hang in there! I have only been out of school for a few months, and I am so thankful that I hung in there! It finally feels as if it is paying off, and feels so nice not having to study all the time! So trust me, it is worth it!
Not So Good Things About Nursing So Far:
Nursing is technically a job, so yes, there are some negative aspects to it. But just let me stress that overall, I am very very happy and satisfied. I just want to provide these thing for a more clear perspective.
- The Doctors–Some of the doctors are really nice to work with. However, there are quite a few that can sometimes be short, mean, and a tad arrogant. So this can be frustrating at times, especially when it gets busy and I have a lot of patients to manage. One thing is for sure, some definitely don’t like you to question things (hehe).
- Fussy Patients–It is unavoidable that you will have that rude or fussy patient from time to time. I don’t get them often, but I have learned to just deal with it the best I can. This isn’t really something unusual for nursing: EVERY job will have fussy customers to deal with! So I try to remember that regardless of what career I would have, I would have those who are sometimes a little rude or fussy.
- Stressful Situations–Sometimes things can get a bit stressful. Usually this occurs if we get our full number of patients, don’t have a clerical to help with orders, or we have a severely critical patient. On those days, it can get quite stressful and tiresome. But again, that just goes with the job requirement.
So overall, I am very happy with the good and the bad so far. Being a Registered Nurse RN is definitely hard work, and it definitely can be stressful at times. However, it can also be extremely rewarding if you try to keep the right attitude about it.
Other Things I Have Done in My Off-Time
I am getting back into the swing of reading novels in my off time. I recently read Nicholas Sparks “The Choice.” I also have “Dear John” which I have yet to read. I really like Nicholas Sparks as an author, and I have read quite a few of his books now.
I also recently read a novel by Danielle Steel “Accident.” It was really good too, and it was my first Danielle Steel novel. I can see why she is such a famous author now, as she can write really well.
I have also watched the occasional Netflix movie when I get the chance. I have watched the whole first 2 seasons of “Leave it to Beaver.” I don’t know why, but my husband and I both just love it. I guess it is because it just a good and clean show to watch with lots of humor thrown in (they just don’t make them like they used to, lol).
The scary part is that my mom watched this growing up, so it is a bit odd that I watch a show that my mom also watched. I have also watched quite a few good movies as well, too many to list.
Well, that pretty much catches everything up to speed. I have been working so much until the past couple of weeks. Now everything is leveling off, and I am finding more time for my hobbies, hubby, and my bloggy =).
As I mentioned above, I will try to catch up on the questions people have asked. I had to temporarily turn off the ask me a question button, because I don’t want to get too behind.
Until Next time,
Sarah =)