I graduated from nursing school in May 2017. I took my NCLEX
on June 5th and became a registered nurse. I have been working in a
hospital since the middle of June. Being a new grad RN, I’ve had to learn how
to manage my own patients, my own workload, and explore my emotions as I
transition to working as a registered nurse. A few weeks ago, I had four
patients all on my own. It was an easy day, the only thing that was really
stressful for me was discharges, educating non-compliant patients, and blood sugars. Oh, those blood
sugars. If only they would be perfect all the time.
After a long day at work, I came home, removed my scrubs,
ate supper, showered, and got myself into bed to get ready for the next day.
That night I had a thought.For 12 hours I was providing care to
another person, educating to try to provide my patients information so they won’t get sick again, and constantly thinking about every step I took so I wouldn’t make errors that would put my patients in danger. For 12 hours, I was thinking of someone other than myself. After having this thought, I broke down. Working as a nurse is so physically and emotionally exhausting, and that night when I broke down, I questioned if I made the right career choice. After stressful days at work where my patients need a lot of care or they're really sick, sometimes I have nightmares. I dream about work, about my patients, and sometimes I wake up and think if I did all I could for them that day.
another person, educating to try to provide my patients information so they won’t get sick again, and constantly thinking about every step I took so I wouldn’t make errors that would put my patients in danger. For 12 hours, I was thinking of someone other than myself. After having this thought, I broke down. Working as a nurse is so physically and emotionally exhausting, and that night when I broke down, I questioned if I made the right career choice. After stressful days at work where my patients need a lot of care or they're really sick, sometimes I have nightmares. I dream about work, about my patients, and sometimes I wake up and think if I did all I could for them that day.
So, did I make the right choice? HELL YES I DID. I have not
been a nurse for long but I have had great connections with my patients. I’ve had patients tell
me that I’m a great nurse, family members say that other staff should model
their behavior after me, and they will even stop me in the hallway to take the
time to thank me for taking care of their loved ones. All of that, makes it
worth it. I’m not only in the healthcare business, but I’m also in customer
service. My clientele DON’T want my service. Patients don’t want to be in the
hospital! However, if I could make their stay a little better, a little
happier, and put a smile on their face then I’m in the right business.
All nurses, whether you’ve had one-month experience or 30-years
experience, should remember that our patients are still people that are going
through a very hard time in their life. It is very easy, when providing care to
patient after patient after patient, to forget that they are individuals who
have specific needs. No one enjoys being sick. No one enjoys not knowing what
is going on with their body. To me nursing is not just giving meds, assessing
my patients, and talking to doctors so we can send you home. Nursing is
providing care, providing emotional support, making sure that my patients have
all the resources they need when they’re discharged, being an advocate, being
an educator, and being a friend. If I can provide my patient with all of these
things, if I can make this tough time in their life a little less tough, if I
can alleviate their stress, then I know I am the right field. My job, although
stressful, makes me happy and makes my life feel full. I cannot wait to
continue my career as a nurse, continue my education, and continue to touch
lives. I became a nurse to make an impact, and that’s what I plan to do.
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