HI Katie. I am a new graduate and a new RN, I must tell you that is a long, hard road through nursing school. There were many times that I thought I wouldn't make it. The clinical stuff for me was easy, when a patient would hold my hand and look at me with those trusting eyes and I could ease just a tiny bit even of her anxiety or pain: that is when it is worth it. The tests and all the other junk is the hard stuff - but you'll be so surprised at how much of it you remember when you graduate.

After accomplishing my bachelors degree in nursing, and then passing my NCLEX-RN, I can't even describe to you the proudness that I feel for myself and finally "making it". So now here I am a new grad - and it is HARD....but worth it. Times are frusterating getting used to your new floor/new job....especially med/surg or critical care which is what I am both in right now.......there are times that I will be upset, stressed, and cry after work cuz I feel that I will never get the organization or pace of the floor....but once again like I said it: it is worth it when you can help a person.

My advice to you: if nursing is in your heart; as it is in mine, then don't give up. All of the rest of the hard things will come with time. I think it takes a special person to be a nurse, to deal with some of the "crappy" (pardon the pun) things that come along with nursing....but realy; we are the ones who run the hospital and if we only get small recognition - it is sooo worth it. As you can tell; I LOVE NURSING! I am happy to hear your a new nursing student - good luck!!!! If I can help at all, please IM me or EMAIL me robin_foco@yahoo or nurserobertaf on aim..........GOOD LUCK! NURSES RULE!

Fresh eyes!
Thank goodness the new grad/new RN answered you before some of us jaded WCVN's (wily, crafty, veteran nurses --- another way of saying "been around since the beginning of time.") After nearly 35 years, the smile of a child who came in crying or like last night when a son told me that I was a "saint" while taking care of his aged mother, I still get that warm fuzzy feeling --- (or did I pee on myself.) Thank goodness for Alzheimer's, I can't remember which.
Best wishes I hope you love nursing and put your heart into it... but if your going into the field for the money, quickly change your major to Information Technologies.

And to nurserobertaf, Robin, you will probably spend a lifetime seeking organization, and about the time you get the pace, your knees, back feet will begin to go out... it is so hard to try to keep up using a walker!
Best wishes,

The best thing is the rewards of knowing that you helped someone, or made their day better or their stay easier. In MR/DD I get a lot of hugs and laughs and that is just the best I love love love MR--I have never met sweeter people in my life.

The worst thing for me is starting at a new facility and trying to catch on to the paperwork and getting to know the nurses.

Pros
flexible schedule
off 4 days a week
lots of jobs
different specialties "something for everybody"
working with those unique patients that you never forget
making a difference
Cons
12 hours can suck when your feet hurt
people are sick on weekends and holidays
politics (but I think that is in every job)
pay-better than minimum wage but not always equivilent to other healthcare professions with the same amount of education
patient load can be high
stress