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Registered

The completion of my degree came in a bunch of small climaxes: The submission of my dissertation; the result of my dissertation; being offered a real job; the end of my final clinical placement; receiving notification of being admitted onto the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Register; and then actually starting aforementioned real job.

Now, Britain loves its pomp and circumstance, the intensity of which has been a bit strange and amusing for me and my casual American sensibilities. But, being a hopeless (and shameless) romantic, I'm more than happy to indulge and to be indulged. For example, my heart definitely did a little joyous squeeze when my colleague and I were given our completion badges from our university.

Pretty, n'est-ce pas?

I will definitely be a slightly overly-keen new nurse for awhile,  wearing that on my uniform. Speaking of uniforms, putting on my RN uniform for the first time was another jarring milestone.


Sky blue is not normally my colour, but it's miles better than the pinstripes I had to wear as a student nurse. And, wow - it's a small, superficial pleasure, but I will wear my new uniform - which is the same colour as the suit my father wore to prom in the 1970s - with pride.

I had my first day of work this week. It's still mainly bureaucratic induction stuff, getting me all set up with the technical necessaries before I'm officially unleashed on the public. Today I got my new starter pack and had a tour of the unit where I will be working. Much to my delight, the Sister who showed me around (that's equivalent to a charge nurse, for any Americans reading) was a lady who I initially met on my very first clinical placement. She was newly qualified then. It's wonderful to see how she's grown into this more senior role and I am really looking forward to learn more from her. Two other gals from my university cohort will be starting on this unit shortly after I begin. They are both kind and passionate. We have already formed a little trifecta to support one another, which is giving me courage. 

My first shift is in a little over a week, after the induction period ends. Until then, I'll be refreshing my knowledge on the basics of surgical nursing. My awareness of how much I have to learn is at once exciting and daunting. I hope I've got what it takes to succeed in this job. 

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