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What are the hardships and triumphs of working your way up to being a Nurse?
How was it getting to where you are now, Were the work hours hard?
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John’s Answer
Just like anything that's new to you, when you first start, you will be filled with doubts and apprehension. But that's totally normal and everyone goes through it. Nurses can be a tough bunch and the old saying that they eat their young has been around for a long time, but hopefully things are better now that they were 25 years ago when I started out. Take care of yourself and remember that no one knows everything - especially right out of school. Be patient with yourself and be open to learning from the more experienced nurses around you. You can learn something from everyone - even if it's that you don't want to be like them. The 12-hour shifts, especially the overnight shift, can be long and feel like they may never end. But you may enjoy them, or you may want to look for a position with a better schedule for you. I've worked days, nights, weekends, and holidays and while it can be a strain on your personal life and relationships, it also allows you to have longer stretches off.
In your role as a nurse, at some point you will see people in the worst moments of their lives - especially if you work in a Critical Care setting. It's often the families experiencing loss or anticipated loss that will challenge you most. Trying to keep in mind that your role is to help patients and families as much as possible is a good approach. Just remember to be kind to yourself as well.
None of us gets to stop or prevent the inevitable. We are human and everyone dies eventually. Our role is to provide comfort as well as care and that can be hard to remember in the moment sometimes. The job is serious and it takes dedication and time to become very good. To keep yourself from burning out, you will need some self-care to maintain a good balance between work and the rest of your life. Exercise, in whatever form you prefer, is a wonderful way to bring down your anxiety and stress levels. Having a supportive partner who is willing to listen and share your experiences with you is also important. Maintaining friendships with people in similar fields of work can be helpful too because they will be able to understand what you have experienced and can help you navigate some difficult moments by having some tough conversations.
Just keep in mind that taking care of people needs to start with yourself first. You can't be available or give someone the best care if you don't take care of yourself first. Be kind to yourself. Be patient. Be open to learning more. Find good friends. That's where you'll find strength and resilience.
Best of luck to you.
In your role as a nurse, at some point you will see people in the worst moments of their lives - especially if you work in a Critical Care setting. It's often the families experiencing loss or anticipated loss that will challenge you most. Trying to keep in mind that your role is to help patients and families as much as possible is a good approach. Just remember to be kind to yourself as well.
None of us gets to stop or prevent the inevitable. We are human and everyone dies eventually. Our role is to provide comfort as well as care and that can be hard to remember in the moment sometimes. The job is serious and it takes dedication and time to become very good. To keep yourself from burning out, you will need some self-care to maintain a good balance between work and the rest of your life. Exercise, in whatever form you prefer, is a wonderful way to bring down your anxiety and stress levels. Having a supportive partner who is willing to listen and share your experiences with you is also important. Maintaining friendships with people in similar fields of work can be helpful too because they will be able to understand what you have experienced and can help you navigate some difficult moments by having some tough conversations.
Just keep in mind that taking care of people needs to start with yourself first. You can't be available or give someone the best care if you don't take care of yourself first. Be kind to yourself. Be patient. Be open to learning more. Find good friends. That's where you'll find strength and resilience.
Best of luck to you.
Updated
Sharon’s Answer
The hardships were getting through school, doing clinical and finally graduating. Then on to 12 hour shifts and day/night rotations. Although it was hard, the career is very rewarding and makes up for itself. You are making a difference for people who are most of the time, in their most vulnerable place in life. You have the opportunity to help people through their hardships and there is nothing like it, at least for me. I started as a nurse in the neonatal intensive care unit and then went on the become a nurse practitioner and worked with families and their children my entire career of 25 years so far. Focus on your goals and you can do anything!
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Michelle’s Answer
For me some of the hardships to getting to where I am now, was finding my footing and confidence in myself as a nurse. The beginning can feel trying but over the course of time, you look back and realize how far you’ve come! I had small setbacks during the beginning of my career that in the end, led me to where I was supposed to be. Although at the time it can be hard to see.
I did bedside nursing for 15 years in a hospital setting and I worked 12 hour shifts. Those can be long days for sure. I learned that on my days off it’s important to take time to decompress. I also didn’t push myself to pick up extra shifts if I was tired and had a stressful work week.
One of the triumphs for me was being able to precept new grad nurses and being a mentor as they embarked on their nursing journey!
I did bedside nursing for 15 years in a hospital setting and I worked 12 hour shifts. Those can be long days for sure. I learned that on my days off it’s important to take time to decompress. I also didn’t push myself to pick up extra shifts if I was tired and had a stressful work week.
One of the triumphs for me was being able to precept new grad nurses and being a mentor as they embarked on their nursing journey!
Updated
Tian’s Answer
The hardships are the politics of floor nursing or bedside nursing. Being asked to do things that take away from direct patient care that really should be someone else’s job that isn’t nursing, and then being some what blamed when you are unable to perform all of your nursing duties. The triumphs are the knowledge, skill set, and ability to think critically that you will develop. Nursing is a great profession. You just have find where you fit in best.