I've had my nursing license for 372 days now, started working as a nurse exactly 365 days ago.

It's been a long year. I've learned more out of school than I did in the two years in school. The books and professors cannot prepare you for real life. The books say a disease or trauma will progress 1 to 2, 2 to 3, 3 to 4, and so on.....but it's never that case. Sometimes it goes from 1 to 4, then 4 to 2, and back from 2 to 7. It never takes the logical steps. They just don't ever tell you that in school!

My communication skills between myself and others has greatly increased. This is a much needed skill I was really hoping would come quickly and it did. I've always had problems with accents. Even going from Ohio to say Boston I could have trouble understanding someone with a heavy accent. Now I deal with doctors who can understand English just fine, but repeating it back is very difficult. Some have a major time getting their thoughts across correctly and I needed to learn to read between the lines. It's tough at times, but also sort of fun in a twisted sort of way.

My time hasn't been all peaches and cream. I've dealt with death, traumas, and unexpected events, etc. Now I haven't had one of my patients die while I was the main nurse, but I've helped with enough codes. It's odd but with some people you can actually tell when life leaves the body. I never believed in any of that crap before but I'll be damned, I've felt it happen. Not saying I've seen ghosts or anything but it's an odd feeling that you just know "Hey, this person just passed...." even while you're thumping away on their chest or pushing drugs.

I've also learned that the medical system is in a desperate need of an overhaul. There is so much wrong doing from doctors and patients alike. So many pain med seekers that are an absolute drain on the system. If they don't get their pain meds, they say they are having chest pain and we have to admit them. Nothing we can do about it. It's saddens me that people like this are taking away from those that really need the help.

I think I've also become a more compassionate person. I can turn it on just as quickly as turn it off. I'm not one to cry after a code or get all upset. Don't get me wrong, I'll go and take a couple minutes to myself to reflect on things but I can separate myself from the patients when needed. It's not an easy thing to do and sometimes people can't do that, those are the ones that "burn out" quickly. I prefer to be in the thick of things doing everything I can to save Joe or Jane and give them another chance at life. I understand that sometimes you just can't help them either and the best thing we can do, as nurses and the medical field, is provide the most comfortable and dignified death as possible.

Overall I think my first year has gone very well. I've impressed myself with how much my fellow nurses actually come to me with questions, even though they've been nurses longer than I have. I knew I'd be strong in the cardiac area, but I didn't know I'd have doctors thanking me and giving me compliments on my care/knowledge. It's a very satisfying thing to have a doctor shake your hand and tell you thank you. Most of the doctors I work hand in hand with know me on a first name basis, which is awesome. They're people just like you and I, we chat about stupid crap all the time (mainly women and fishing, go figure).

I just hope to continue this on throughout the years. My goals are to become a full time ICU nurse, earn my BSN, and then work toward my CCRN certification. After that......probably graduate school. I'd love to be a CRNA or an in flight nurse practitioner. Basically be at the top of the nursing field. The only thing holding me back is my GPA but I think my work ethic and knowledge will pull me through.

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Congrats, Burks. I'm glad to hear things have been going well for you, and you certainly offer more insight into the system already than I know about haha. One of my friends became a nurse around the same time as you, but he doesn't often share all of his stores (except the really crazy ones I guess.)

Your first paragraph is so true, though. I've been a Software Engineer for almost two years now, and I've learned significantly more on the job than I ever did in school. I suspect every job is like that, really. It's true; nothing beats real-world experience.

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.Legendary themed months are back! Maybe.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Goten is dead!

Oh my God Kikori I love you.

Congrats Burks. Glad you are finding work so fulfilling.

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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congrats, Burks!

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Awesome sig made by Goten!

lol when reading your post Burks i couldn't help but read it out loud in the voice of JD from scrubs xD.

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Never argue with an idiot, they drag you down to their level and beat you with experience

I'm glad to hear things are going well for you in your chosen profession!
What you do on a daily basis, is something I don't think I could ever do. Congratulations on such a success in your first year. I hope next year is even better.

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Sounds like you're really enjoying it! Keep up the goals and the positive attitude, and there's nothing you won't be able to do!

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Congrats and good luck, Burks! You make us really proud!

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Seriously Kik, I laughed out loud on that.

And sometimes I do picture myself as JD. The awkward dork at work, except I've yet to find my own janitor.....all of ours are either handicapped or old women.

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Congrats, bud. Kudos for all your success.

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Keep it up, Burks

-Phat

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PoopbaLL`

Seems like you found your calling, Burks. Congratulations!

Thanks guys.

Just got off my third night in a row......two to go! Woo-......*zzzzzzzzzzzz*

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+∞ to awesomeness

Dakota.

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Grats Burks! Keep up the good work and "Hunt the Good Stuff" as we say in the army

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