How has life changed since you finally became a RN ?

I want to hear about it all ! The good and the bad :-)
I can pay my bills but my knees are shot.

I still can't find a job!!

Keep in mind, this has only been 5 years for me so I don't have a lot of perspective compared to many people here, but, here goes...Bad: More and more papers and requirements each month and year to fulfill on top of existing duties. A higher number of sicker and more complicated patients for each nurse. Some management members becoming more out of touch with what it means to care for these patients.Good: More confidence in the care I give my patients being good care. Being someone coworkers feel confident in asking questions and for help and advice. Some management members actually implementing changes staff members have asked for.Mixed: Computerized MARs. Learning to be a charge nurse.

still unemployed.. argh!

I became a nurse at 34 and it allowed us much more flexibility and financial stability. For the new grads who don't have jobs: hang in there. When I graduated with my LPN in 1992 there were a few jobs, when I finished with my RN in 1994 there were no jobs - I hung onto my LPN job for 6 months till something opened up. I hope things get better for everyone.

I've been one for 4 years now.The good: don't have to worry about money, I've learned a lot and continue learning, and I've met some awesome people!The bad: no one understands the amount of stress I'm under aside from other nurses, my sleep schedule is horrible, and I've nearly given up on dating!

I have been working as an RN for about a year now, and I'm one of the lucky ones that got exactly the specialty job I dreamed of.I have a much more financial security. Paid off all my debts. I have taken a couple of trips across the country to see my family, I hadn't been able to afford to do that before. Instead of spending nearly every day studying and focusing on school work (like in nursing school), I actually have 4 days each week which are totally mine! Additionally, I have a stronger bond with my older sister, who has been a nurse for 20 years.The bad? Not a whole lot. I work every Sunday and I miss my family that day. I have to work some holidays, and I hate doing that to my kid. 12 1/2 hours makes for a really long day. On the days I work, I'm so exhausted when I get home that I don't have energy or time left to do much other than hug my daughter and snuggle on the couch for a few minutes before I fall asleep. And honestly, I really don't like getting out of bed so early on those days I work... but does anyone?

I have been working in surgery for 12 years now, 3 as a nurse. I have the same schedule as before and do most of the same things with a little bit of paper work on top of it so nothing changed, I get paid alot more now though.

Quote from back2nursing09i want to hear about it all ! the good and the bad :-)

I am finally making more money than I made in my previous, dead end jobs. I can't wait until I have my 1-2 years experience, and can do things like travel, agency, PRN home care, etc.

I've been working for a month:The good: I am loving my job and unit, and the extra $$ is wonderful.The bad: I miss my daughter. I have an hour commute each way and when I work a 12 hour day shift it means I leave before she gets up and get home after she's went to bed.

How has life changed since you finally became an RN?Things are good. Money is good. Less stress. I had a significant amount of anxiety in nursing school. I was terrified that I wouldn't actually become an RN - it almost paralyzed me mentally, and made me physically sick at times. (This may be a weird quirk specific to me.) Now that I'm actually working as an RN, I find the transition manageable, and it's less stressful than nursing school. It's nice to be the nurse and not the student. I even handled my first code well, as a nurse (not student). That was my ultimate fear.I've seen so much on this board that the stress of being a student is minimal compared to the stress of being on your own as a nurse after graduation, but for me it was the opposite.