OK - so I know I know- we are supposed to go easy on ourselves in the beginning, 'it's a steep learning curve' blah blah blah - but I hate feeling so incompetent!
I graduated in '07 and am just starting my first hospital job now. It's a great floor - super crazy busy, but the nurses are competent and kind to each other - that definitely counts for a lot! But I still just feel like such a mess. My preceptor is good and pretty understanding, but I feel like even she is getting frustrated with me when I - seriously! - can't even spike a bag!! (Seriously -is there some trick someone could share with me here? I can't seem to get a good enough grip and then the spike is halfway in and I'm standing there wrestling with the darn thing - it's ridiculous!) Of course, it also doesn't help that I am so nervous on the floor all the time that my hands are shaking constantly (not terribly reassuring for someone I'm about to stick!!)
Does anyone have any advice other than 'hang in there, it'll get better'?
