This is my journey from S.N to R.N

That’s the new job. I’m an NA II at the hospital I do my clinicals at.

Difference between NA I and NA II? Well, there is a whole extra dollar an hour to start. But the level II is advanced meaning that I can do suctioning, wound care (if over 48 hours old), catheters, tube feedings, among other things whereas level I is limited to accuchecks, vitals, and bed changes as well as a few other things.

I had orientation the last couple of weeks and it went very well. Since I’m a student, I (along with my other classmates) only had four days of orientation. This afternoon I’ll have my first solo shift and I’m a little nervous.

I semi-soloed last week with only 6 patients, but today I’ll have a full load. I don’t know if I’m ready!

The perks of this job over the HUC job? I do more than answer phones. I get to handle my own patient loads. I’m learning to multitask better and handle mulitple patient care. I’m getting the opportunity to fine-tune the skills I had only  couple of chances to do before.

Ex: I had done maybe three accuchecks in clinicals the whole time in school. After my first 7am-7pm shift, I had done at least 10. I also got to do wound care every day on an unstageable pressure ulcer and try my hand at a condom catheter.

I feel great so far and think this was the best decision I could have made for right now. I graduate in 8 months…it’s time to start transitioning into a more of a nurse role. And since I’m in the Float Pool, I’ll get to see a little bit of everything.

I’ll let you know how my first solo shift goes. Hope you’re all having a lovely week.

Love,

Laney