MY FIRST 30 DAYS AS A REGISTERED NURSE

Wow, 30 days as a Registered Nurse?! Time flies when you’re having fun. Those words have never been truer than they are right now, at this point in my life. It’s been 3 months since I graduated from nursing school and one month since I started working in the hospital as a registered nurse. BRB, just going to do a quick happy dance before continuing because — your girl is doing big thangs y’all. WHOOP!

It still feels surreal that my time spent in nursing school was worth it and led me to this point. That I reached a goal I had fought for tooth and nail. I’m not sure if the wonder of that will ever go away. & To be honest, I hope it never does. In light of having the first month under my belt, because big thangs obvi. I figured what better time than now to share! SO keep reading as I look back on my first 30 days as a registered nurse. Recounting my experiences and the things I’ve learned because of them.

To be a nurse is not for the faint and weary y’all.

That was clear straight out the gate.

Not that I didn’t know that, but it became very apparent the first week or so in the hospital. There is so much that can be demanded of you at any given moment. Even as a new nurse! I mean yeah. Everyone understands that you’re fresh out of school and don’t know much, but at the same time that’s not an excuse. You are still expected to be on your shit, with your mind and body on the swivel at all times. Prepared for pretty much anything that you may or may not encounter. So it goes without saying that to be faint and/or weary, will likely lead to your ultimate downfall in this profession.

Within my first 30 days, I also quickly realized that it’s okay to not know the answer to a particular question at times and to be kind to myself in those moments.

I’m not sure if it was the school that I graduated from or particular professors I have encountered… but I had previously always felt so much shame when I didn’t know something that I felt I should know. Having always associated the concept of knowing with studious and successful behavior.

However, admitting that you don’t know is more courageous and respected than saying nothing at all. To crucify yourself because of “not knowing” is unfair to the you who, try as you might can’t possibly know everything. It’s okay to not know y’all. What’s not okay is recognizing you don’t know and not attempting to change the narrative, so you do know eventually.

Oh! The importance of checking in with yourself constantly? Yeah that’s pretty damn necessary. Recognizing how you feel about particular situations will be crucial in how you approach or engage. When they talked about the emotional aspect of that in Psych or even a little bit in Fundamentals… it really was for our patient’s health as much as it was for ours.

Whew.

I’m pretty sure I’ve learned more in these 30 days than I learned during the past 2 years spent in nursing school. No shade, but active situational experiences will do that for you and that’s just real tea.

In as much as I’ve learned, I have also grown faster in 30 days than I have… ever. Recognizing that, I have made a point of celebrating such moments of growth and success too.

When I started my first IV? It took everything in me, not to begin squealing like a buffoon LOL. Y’all I was LIT.

The moment I realized my patient was having a negative reaction to an order from the doctor and started taking charge? Taking charge with the help of my preceptor of course, never felt so damn good. After successfully resolving the issue, I felt like I could do anything. My confidence in taking charge and handling a critical situation was on one y’all.

Hanging a complicated medication successfully? Listen, my cheeks hurt from smiling so hard. Doing well feels damn good and should be celebrated. Especially in this profession.

Because during the past 30 days as a Registered Nurse, there were times that I didn’t feel as excited. Moments where I made mistakes and had to be down for a bit to understand the importance of doing better going forward. That’s the beauty of growth though, remember? You can’t always be on top and error free. There will be times where you make mistakes, but I know that it’s how you handle those moments of error that are more important than anything else.

After all, though I hope to not make any mistakes, I will. I’m 31+ days in a career that I plan on being a part of for years to come. So not making a single mistake going forward is next to impossible.

I sure will try not to if I can help it though because in these past 30 days as a Registered Nurse I have experienced and seen some things I’d do better off never forgetting.

To the wonder of nursing never ceasing to amaze me,

Thelms