Did you feel adequately prepared for the real-world challenges of nursing practice upon graduation?

Absolutely not! I was terrified!

I did- I’d worked as an EKG, Telemetry, Burn Tech, aide in Veteran’s Affairs Nursing Home unit, “student nurse”(1 RN & I with 16-20 med surg patients, nights) & a 3 month preceptorship in NICU with great teachers all along the way. I’d already seen births & deaths & poor-coping families. I knew the med student from the intern from the resident from the fellow from the attending & specialist, & knew the hospital workers & nurses jobs too. I knew I’d be on nights for a long time. I was OK. I wasn’t disappointed.

It was a lot of hard work. %100 on the NCLEX, a previous degree and a good State Nursing Program at UMASS Boston made things easier to start. Our professors had us focusing well and instilled much responsibility that evaporated much nervousness.

Take care, work hard and It should be rewardingly fun like your best days on a playground with your Friends, Team.