[Jazzd]

Hi everyone. I am a nursing student completing my last semester (yay), and I really need some help with an assignment. The assignment is a comparison between three RNs, one practicing less than one year, one practicing more than eight years, and one more than 20 years. I am required to ask the following questions:
What is the hardest part of your job?
What is the easiest part of your job?
What is the one most important thing you learned in nursing school?
What advice would you give to a new RN graduate?
Any posts would be greatly appreciated. It would be great if anyone replying could include their first name and the specialty area in which they work. Thanks for any help that anyone has to give!!!

[fruma]

Congrats on your being in your last semester--I know you've worked hard to get there.
I've been an RN since 1979 (!) and originally started in psych nursing but now work in corrections.
In response to your questions:
1. The hardest part of my job is by far dealing with personnel issues--making sure that everyone gets along. Firing someone is also very difficult.
2. The easiest part of my job is delegating duties and letting my nurses do their job without me breathing down their neck.
3. The most important thing I learned in nursing school was the importance of listening to patients. I realized that a lot of patients (elderly, children,etc.) never have anyone to talk to. I learned that compassion is a HUGE part of nursing.
4. I would advise a new RN graduate to remember the importance of kindness, even small acts. I'd also advise to NEVER make an enemy @ work--(you'll have ample opportunities to do that in your private life). You never know when you'll need a favor; and you get what you give!
Best of luck to you,
--Yolanda

[Jazzd]

Thanks so much, Yolanda. That helps me get 1/3 of this paper done. Much appreciated!!