Monday, 28 January 2008

• My life as a new nurse…..

  I’m on my fourth week of orientation now as a graduate nurse. The ladies I work with are great. They are willing teachers and very gracious with the “newbies.” The maternity unit has been very welcoming and a fun place to work. We have our sad days when a baby is stillborn or complications steal the joy of normal childbirth. Here’s a few of the things I’ve done so far…..

  I’ve given more IM injections in the past week than I ever did in school in 2 years.

  One of my favorite experiences was watching the ecstasy on a new father’s face as he held his son for the first time, realizing that he loved his child more than he had ever imagined.

  One day I spent the entire shift reading policies and watching movies about running equipment, etc. I went home with a headache. Give me real work.

  A really great part of working for a small community hospital is the variety…one day I care for mothers & babies, one day for gynecology patients, one day for babies in the nursery. You never know what a day will bring in maternity. One day we got so many laboring patients, we had to transfer all our med-surg gyn patients to a regular floor. A few days later it can clear out and make you wonder where all the pregnant woman are hiding.

  The pro’s far outweigh the con’s when comparing work with school, especially in the areas of homework & paychecks. But I’ve discovered that I traded one learning curve for another. I can’t wait to know what I’m doing.

  I have no desire to teach school; however, I’ve come to enjoy the teaching end of nursing. It is especially fun with new parents with little past exposure to babies. My favorite experience so far was teaching an eager dad how to proper change a diaper.

  I’ve also had the privilege of talking with parents of babies that had to be cared for in the NICU. Some days I wish I could offer more comfort than just words.

  I love my job and feel so blessed that God led me to it. Well, I need to go study for boards and rock more babies! J

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