I think my first really big experience was moving to Ogden to attend Weber State University. However, that very quickly became comfortable as I began to call it home. I love Ogden. Next came nursing school. If anything stretched me out of my comfort zone, it was nursing school. Learning how to give shots, start IV's, sterile technique, on top of the amounts of book work I had to stay on top of every week was a whole new ball game. I don't really know if I ever got "comfortable" there. Mostly because we're always learning.
Most people in Utah say their mission was the hardest 2 years of their life. Nursing school was the hardest 2 years of mine. It's intensive, and time consuming. I remember my dad being so proud of me when I chose to become a nurse because it was a job in which I could use my intellect. My intellect is something he and I worked very hard on all my life growing up.
I feel like so many people don't realize the work that goes into being a nurse. We don't just give compassion, medications, and wipe butts. We have to know anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, microbiology, biology, chemistry, etc etc etc. We study pharmacology. Those drugs I gave you? I know them, I know their side effects and their safe dosage range. Maybe not by heart, but no nurse should give a drug s/he's unfamiliar with. I had to pass math, English, and even take a few government courses for my degree. I've studied long and hard to get to where I am. I worked my butt off getting experience at clinicals in the hospital. Mornings started at 4:45 AM. For those who know me, I don't do mornings. In fact I've worked evenings and nights for the past few years. Balancing a night shift job with day shift clinicals and daytime school (starting at 8:30 AM) was difficult. In fact, thinking back, I don't know how I survived. Adrenaline?
I feel like so many people don't realize the work that goes into being a nurse. We don't just give compassion, medications, and wipe butts. We have to know anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, microbiology, biology, chemistry, etc etc etc. We study pharmacology. Those drugs I gave you? I know them, I know their side effects and their safe dosage range. Maybe not by heart, but no nurse should give a drug s/he's unfamiliar with. I had to pass math, English, and even take a few government courses for my degree. I've studied long and hard to get to where I am. I worked my butt off getting experience at clinicals in the hospital. Mornings started at 4:45 AM. For those who know me, I don't do mornings. In fact I've worked evenings and nights for the past few years. Balancing a night shift job with day shift clinicals and daytime school (starting at 8:30 AM) was difficult. In fact, thinking back, I don't know how I survived. Adrenaline?
My next step was to get a nursing job. I worked as a CNA for years, then after my first year of nursing school, I got a job as an LPN at a skilled nursing facility (nursing home/long term rehab). The first few months on the job, I hated it. I was slow, I always ran behind. I clocked out 2 hours late for the first few weeks, then as I got better I clocked out on time but never took a lunch break. I changed shifts that I worked and slowly I had time for breaks, I had time to chart on shift, and I found I could deal with my workload much better. It did take a few months, but in that few months I pushed myself, I made friends, and I came to increase my understanding of why I wanted to be a nurse.
It's a hard job. I complain sometimes. My back often hurts. I also love it. I love working with people, I love seeing their faces when they see the progress they've made or when they finally find some comfort. I love getting to know them. I love getting to know my coworkers. I love building relationships based on teamwork, service, and trust. I have found mentors and friends. Had I given up my job after the first 4 weeks just because it was hard and I didn't know what I was doing, would have never allowed me to reach the place I am at now.
On March 9th, I start my new nursing job. I am stoked. The hospital is busy, the patients are sick, and I am nervous. However, I can pull from my experiences and go forward with faith. I'm excited to make new friends, and I can't describe my feelings about being in a job where I will use the skill set that I have honed during school. I am blessed.
More Mary thoughts, coming your way later.
Mary
