The Realities of Nursing

Starting out in the profession of Nursing is exciting, challenging, interesting…and difficult. Nurses touch lives in many ways, and are highly respected and trusted by the public. However, along with the job title, come a number of stressors that make Nursing one of the most challenging of all fields.

The transition from school to working with real patients can range from somewhat uncomfortable to highly shocking. Here are some "Reality Shock" facts about being a new Nurse graduate.

• The most stressful time during a Nurse's career is the first 3 months of employment.
• 35% to 60% of new Nurses change jobs during their first year of employment.
• Nurses work long, physically, emotionally, and mentally demanding shifts (usually 12-hours or more) on their feet.
• As a Nurse, you must often deal with grief and loss, difficult patient and family contacts, patient resistance, and their non-adherence to prescribed therapies.
• You must, at times, deal with large egos and a lack of respect from doctors, administrators, patients, patient families, and colleagues, while maintaining your professionalism.
• You will have to deal with many safety and health hazards, such as tainted blood or other bodily fluids, infectious diseases, and other potential biohazards.
• Due to the ever-growing shortage of Nurses, poor prioritization, and time management, you may have an excessive workload, including a lot of tedious paperwork.
• You may have to float around from Nursing unit to Nursing unit, making it difficult to feel comfortable in your environment.
• Nursing is seniority-based. Rookies start from the bottom of the employee hierarchy - no matter how well you did in school or what you did before becoming a Nurse.

Be Ready for a Successful Career in Nursing

How will you cope with the challenges of your new role? How will you handle some of the stressors of the work environment? With a Nursing degree from the School of Nursing at Rasmussen College, you will be ready to face these challenges – head on.

Nursing students at Rasmussen College are required to participate in three adult Nursing practicums. The purpose of these practicums is to teach students in real world settings and to provide them with the experience they will need in their careers.

Our students are prepared, and you can be too. Call us today at (866) 544-1789 to learn more about our Nursing degree or to answer any questions you might have.