Hello! I just recently graduated from nursing school and passed my NCLEX. I am now a registered nurse. I just accepted my first job as an ICU nurse and I will be starting the residency program this summer. Since graduating and becoming an RN, I find myself reflecting on my journey. Growing up, I loved caring for my family and friends. I remember when my dad had knee surgery, I was probably only 6 years old. He came home from the surgery and I greeted him with a little blue whistle. I told him to make sure to use the whistle if he needed anything at all. Though he probably didn't need me, he still blew on that whistle. I graduated high school in 2013 and started college that August. I still didn't know what I wanted to do, so I was taking some random classes that looked like they would be fun to take. In October of that same year, I got a phone call that my dad had passed away suddenly from a heart attack. At the time, he was living in Florida and I was living in Texas. I was only 18 years old when he passed away and I was devastated. I had never experienced such a loss. Through time, I was able to heal a little. I learned to focus on sweet memories, rather than think about all the things he was going to miss. In January of 2016, I decided I wanted to pursue nursing. I remember the day perfectly. I was sitting at a Jason's Deli eating lunch with my boyfriend. We were talking a bit about our futures and it was then that everything kind of clicked into place. I decided to look into the nursing programs within my area and the prerequisites they required. To my surprise, I only needed to take 3 courses to be able to apply to the program. I quickly enrolled in time to start two of the required courses during that spring 2016 semester. I took microbiology and anatomy and physiology together. I was so excited to finally have a plan for my future, I didn't mind the workload of those two major courses. I finished both classes with A's. In May of 2016, I got a phone call from my sister. She told me that our mama was being rushed to the hospital. At this time, I was still living in Texas, and my mama and siblings were living in Kansas. I was scared, but there was no word on why she was going to the hospital. My sister called me again within 30 minutes to tell me that my mama was having a heart attack. When I heard those two words, I nearly fell to my knees. I was so scared. Even writing this now, my hands are shaking. My mama died the next morning. By the age of 21, I had lost both of my parents. I was heart b r o k e n. I was lost. The best way I knew how to heal was to continue on my journey. I still had one class that I needed to take in order to apply for the nursing program in August. I enrolled in that last class in June of 2016, only one month after losing my sweet mama. I put all I had into that last class and because it was taken in the summer, it was only 6 weeks long. With a lot of effort, I received a B in that class. I applied to the nursing program in August and I was accepted into the program the very next month. January 2017 was the start of my nursing journey and though I had so much taken from me, I still had so much to give.
Hello! I graduated from nursing school in December and took my NCLEX in February! I just accepted a nurse residency position in the ICU! I start in June. I have 1 year experience working in the ED as a nurse extern, so I am familiar with IV placements, POC lab draws, code blues, EKG, etc. As a new grad, what are some things I can study or review before starting in the ICU in June? Thank you!!
Hello everyone! I am a new grad RN! I just passed my NCLEX a couple of days ago! First, I want to mention that I worked as an ER nurse extern for the last year of nursing school. I really enjoyed being in the ED and I felt like I learned a lot! I practiced iv placement, POC lab draws, straight caths, NG tubes, EKG, splinting, and responding to code blues. I currently have a job offer for an ED nurse residency position. This position is at a hospital that isn't one of my top choices. The main reason is that they have a stipend pay for the first 4 months of residency. I would be making less than I did as a nurse extern, and it does not have benefits or PTO until after those 4 months. This hospital has a 2 year contract. I just interviewed for an ICU nurse residency position and it is pretty likely that I will be offered the job. This position IS at a hospital that I love. I did clinicals here for my last semester. I would love to work in this hospital's ED. This ICU position also pays 2x as much as the other ED position at the other hospital, with benefits starting instantly. This job does not require a contract and will allow you to move to other departments within the hospital within 6 months. I feel conflicted because I REALLY want to continue to develop in the ED, however, I know that the hospital with the ICU position is prestigious. Either way, I am VERY thankful for the wonderful opportunities presented to me. My question is, WHAT SHOULD I CHOOSE? What are some factors I should look into before choosing a hospital/position? Thank you!