Orientation...

... should I say re-orientation. This started off my orientation to a new hospital and a new job as a registered nurse. After graduating from nursing school, I have to honest and admit that I procrastinated a bit. I waited almost 2 months before taking the NCLEX (nursing licensure examination or the nursing boards). Luckily, I passed! Thank god too because I never want to relive that nightmare. Everyone always says that it's the hardest test you will ever take as a nurse; it is! Everyone always says that they walked out thinking that they failed; you do! And everyone is ridiculously thrilled when they learn that they passed; you are! Obtaining my license in the mail was one of most happiest and proudest moments of my life.

I consider myself among the luck/blessed new grads that found obtaining a job easier rather than harder. I was able to score 3 interviews at 2 different hospitals. I got accepted to work as a telemetry nurse in a small, local hospital. In layman's terms, I work on unit and with patients who have heart complications (post-heart attacks, chest pain, congestive heart failure, etc) and are hooked up to heart monitors while they are being hospitalized. Oh, and I'll be working the night shift = 7pm-7am :)

So this week was my orientation week. I spent three days in a hotel conference room with other new hires from 3 different hospitals under one health system. We learned about the health systems mission, policies & procedures, views towards health case, as well as received information on medical benefits, retirement plans, etc. It was fun meeting new people, but the material and powerpoints were extremely boring. Plus the hotel was freezing. I just kept reminding myself that I was getting paid to be there and at least we got a free lunch.

Today was my first day orienting to the hospital on-site. I also FINALLY felt like a really nurse! A newly graduate nurse, but all nurses had they feeling at some point in the beginning of their career. Even though the majority of the day was spent going over more policies and procedure, I was excited and anxious for the first time since getting hired. It hit me that 1) I'm going to be responsible for 4-6 human lives during my shift, 2) I could easily kill a person as I could save them, and 3) I'm alone in a new hospital. Well, not completely alone. I made a friend with another nurse who I will be working with. I can only hope/pray that 1) I don't kill anyone and 2) I learn to love this new job/life as much as I loved the former hospital I worked in.

Well, I guess only time will tell. Tomorrow is my second day orienting to the hospital. More computer education, a medication administration test, and orientation to my actual unit :) I can only hope that my new co-workers like me *fingers crossed*