Day One...

I am a nurse!  It's real but I can't believe it.  It doesn't feel like work--it feels more like I am playing a game of 'act like a nurse'.  It's cool though, and I like it.  I am tied to a preceptor all day and helping him with his patients.

My first day (4/12), I was super nervous.  I probably only got around 3 hours of sleep due to nerves, roommates, and stress with everything coming up.  I was really alert at 5 in the morning though!  I drove to the hospital and met up with my preceptor in the parking lot because he arrived at the same time.  We wore the same scrubs!  I didn't think much of it (I like my scrubs, so why shouldn't he have good taste too?) but every other employee seemed to comment on us matching.


I had five patients and felt pretty good about my assessments.  I liked using the med machine and earned more and more independence as we went along.  I was amazed with how quickly 12 hours went by!  It seemed like we were always passing medications, checking on patients, or charting.


My orientation ends in 15 shifts.  I got a huge packet of things I need to accomplish in 90 days to be competent in my job.  It is a scary sight!  My preceptor says I'm doing well though so I guess I'll just keep chugging along...