I think our facility runs a really good post-graduate and 2nd year post-graduate programme. As a preceptor, and at times Facilitator, I have found the biggest hurdle for a new grad. is time-management. Alas, some will never develop this skill....but most will. I have found the skill-base that grads. come out with to be really good, grads. are willing to learn and the educators on the wards are invaluable. i say to all graduating nurses please, please please don't be afraid to ask the "dumb' questions. I have found, in my 30 years experience, that those that don't ask questions are the nurses to watch very carefully.

Hi Jessica - you shared what I think most student nurses feel about their future and what they've experienced and are experiencing.

I've published your sharing on our blog too: I feel unprepared says Graduating Student Nurse

Just beggers belief that humans do this to themselves, work for no pay in a "so so so" :) mentioned Profession that cares for others and carries out the fullest support of the National Australia Health basis and gets treated like...as T A put it..'crap'!

Who else do you know does it?

 And too top this off folks, there is no real indication from any Political sides as to nurses getting better treatment?..is there?

And before you all jump down my throat on 'this Post' all it is based on the facts,truth and reality. After 16 yrs nursing I have seen, listened too and had to adjust too so much. Nothing is ever set in concrete and change is just that.

If you want too effect it you can. Assignments are set by whom and for what purpose?

FACT: to keep their jobs and funding from Govts so as too maintain them on Campus...and for no other reason...they don't print the text.

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Hi everyone. I am in my final year as a student nurse and only have a few months before I graduate. To say I'm nervous is an understatement though it stems from feeling wholly unprepared. Personally I learn alot from my practical experiences, though I will admit that I have spent many of them doing basics (many showers, manual handling etc...) All the things I do has a paid AIN.

I've found that some of the best RNs are the 1st,2nd and 3rd years out who still remember what it was like to be a student wanting to get in and do "clinical", are still learning themselves and are therefore very accepting if you want to look something up. *** RNs - as students we want to feel like we actually have a career ahead of us, throwing us into a 4 bed room and telling us to shower everyone while you go an do ECGs, medications, talk to the doctors etc doesn't inspire us. I've found that some doctors are willing to teach more than some RNs. I once did a rotation in theatres and had the Anaesthetist pull me aside in the middle of surgery and explain what was happening, what he does, what each drug was for, how to measure different aspects in the unconscious patient. It was very enlightening and I went home that night and studied up all I could for what I have learnt. Unfortunately not every prac is like that and I will admit I have had more bad than good pracs.

At my uni, I have found that last year consisted of information overload with extremely long semesters that started in Jan and finished in Dec. This year though, we have 2 semesters consisting of; 3 weeks of "intensive" lectures/tutorials, though this was only 3 days a week and was quite disorganised. After this we have 6 weeks of prac (which is good but it is a long time to not be able to work and earn money to pay for the fact that 95% of us have to travel for prac as it is only a small area and not many hospitals. Last I looked, temporary travel, accommodation and food costs alot of money and many still have to pay for their permanent accommodation on top).

For those students such as myself who had yet to complete mental health, I spent 6 weeks away from the hospital and the location was such that I was away from my family. On top of this I had 3x3000word essays due the week we got back and a few weeks later we have exams. By the end of this semester I didn't feel I learnt anything except what my assignments were about and a few little things on prac. I'm hoping to get a hospital placement for my final prac (6 weeks again) and even if I do it would have been 12 months since I last did anything clinical (aside from the very rare wound or vaccination).

Does this make me feel unprepared - absolutely. I've been told that despite feeling unprepared, the new grad year is a godsend and after a few weeks alot of things come back to you. Not to mention the fact that you can ask for help and not fail because you don't know the answer. This alone is the "light at the end of the dark tunnel". Anyone else have advice on how to survive the final 6 months of training and then the transition from student to professional? (sorry for the long post - I had to vent somewhere) Jess