What is the Transition Like from Nursing Student to RN?

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The Reality Shock Behind Nursing Training

For every occupation, there is a difference between leaving the academic course work behind and actually practicing the profession. No career has quite as challenging of an effect on the student leaving formal course work for actual hands-on practice as the medical profession, and this includes nurses as well as all other medical positions. You are entering a career where the smallest mistake can mean the difference between life and death. Decisions must be made quickly, with no room for second-guessing.

The shift from a student to a registered nurse can be overwhelming. Some of the policies stated in the textbooks may not be the same as hospital policies. If you had limited practice, you may feel enormous pressure to get things right yet the stress of trying to remember everything can hinder your performance.

Keeping Communications Open

You may find, when entering the environment as a new registered nurse, that not all the staff will be friendly. Some nurses may feel the need to remind you that as a “newbie,” you’re on the bottom rung of the ladder. The new nurse is the most vulnerable to attack on the ego.

If you are feeling difficulties in making the adjustment, speak to the director or try to find a nurse who is willing to help you make the adjustment. Don’t be afraid to ask questions any time you are in doubt.

You’ll also find that not all patients are friendly and happy to see you. Try to make the relationship between the patient and nurse as comfortable as possible. Be patient. Remain friendly, even when it seems nobody really cares. Be honest about what you don’t know and build on the learning experience. Most of all, be honest with yourself. It takes at least a year to learn all the complexities of working as a registered nurse. During that year, you will feel your confidence grow as each day you learn something new, which will add to your efficiency as a nurse. Don’t be too hard on yourself. You’ve passed the examination for RN licensing; all you need is the experience to go with it.

Organizing Your Time

One of the most important and difficult challenges of a registered nurse is developing time management skills. Registered nurses are expected to learn the entire process of nursing, from admission to discharge. They must know how to prioritize patient care, when to administer and not to administer drugs, and ensure that a patient has all the requirements in place upon discharge, especially if the patient is a confused or highly dependent person.

Nurses work long hours and are generally exhausted by the end of the day. Time management skills also include taking time out for yourself. Be good to yourself when you go home. Take a long, warm bath, meditate or indulge in other things you find relaxing. If you have a hobby, resolve to spend a certain amount of time each week with it. The greatest burnout in nursing comes within the first year. You will feel the greatest amount of anxiety, stress and fatigue while learning the routine of a nursing career.

RN Residency Program

Many hospitals and clinics prefer to hire nurses that have already had experience as a registered nurse. It can be difficult landing a job straight out of your nursing school if you don’t already have a resume that demonstrates your quality patient care. You may benefit greatly by joining a RN residency program. A residency allows new nurses time to advance and accumulate new experiences. It will also help them boost their confidence, giving them a greater chance of remaining in the profession.

Nursing is an on-going education. You will find that going from the textbook to the practice of working as a registered nurse is filled with unexpected situations due to differences in personalities, hospital policies and stress factors turning what you thought you knew into doubts and uncertainties. Once you’ve made it through the first year, the bumps in the road will smooth out and you may look forward to a rewarding career in caregiving.