Feeling stupid...

Nurses New Nurse

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I start on the floor on Monday. I have had orientation this week for hospital stuff like policies, safety, etc. My stomach is in knots. I read all the posts on here, some are helping me, but others are not. I have been assigned 2 preceptors and will take turns with them during the week. I have not met them yet, but I just hope and pray that I will fit in and we will "click". I am just so nervous. There is alot to learn, ie. computer system for charting, another computer system for med. admin, and their accudose med machine for controlled substance to learn. I am so sick to my stomach about that and know that my preceptors are not going to have time to show me everything about those systems AND train me on the floor with patient care. I graduated in June, took my NCLEX last month. I feel so "dumb" right now. I mean, I have been out of school for 2 months and haven't had clinicals for 3 months, so I feel like I am so out of the practice of patient care. Will it all come back to me?? I feel like I have lost my clinical skills. I was a really good student, got good grades, did well in clinicals, but I just feel "stupid" right now. And, I only get 4 to 6 weeks of orientation, that scares me to death. OK, I am done venting. Thanks for allowing me to do that.

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Specializes in Ortho/Neuro.

I feel the same way. I haven't had clinicals since March and I felt very out of practice with my clinical skills. I have been on the floor for a total of 4 days now. The last two I took my own two patients and I have to say things are coming back to me. I now remember how to do a head to toe assessment. Things like hanging an IV piggyback, diluting meds for IV push and that kind of thing are slooowly coming back after being shown how at least once (or more) by my preceptor. I am sure you will be ok. It's scary. I feel like I am still a student, but I am not, I now have that RN behind my name and I must be accountable for things. My preceptor is wonderful and I love love love her! She has had the most patience and is so willing to teach me! I am so lucky to have her and I hope that you have great ones as well. I also am on orientation for 6 weeks, but my boss told me that if I need more, just let her know and she will arrange it. I can't sleep very well the night before I have to work. I don't know what the deal is. I guess I am just very nervous about what I will have to do and what may come up. I imagine it will get better as time goes on. I wish you the best of luck with everything and keep us updated!!!!

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Specializes in Med/Surge.

First off Congrats to the both of you on your new licenses!!

RNLisa-everything that you are experiencing and feeling is normal and once you get on the floor with the preceptors stuff will start coming back but what's even better than that is it will "come full circle" and start making sense of the things that you learned in nursing school. I think it's great that you are having 2 preceptors to show you the ropes. You will have 2 different perspectives to look at and mix from to form your own style.

Just know the first few weeks/months will at times be very frustrating and that you will still feel like a "student" for a while, but, there will be one day when something happens and you will know exactly what to do with out asking anyone and your confidence level will begin to increase. When those impossible days happen you can come here and find the support that you need to get you through the tough days that lie ahead.

It's been a little over a year for me since I became a nurse and at times I still feel like a student. Best of luck and let us know how it's going for you!!

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Specializes in cardiac/critical care/ informatics.

First of all congratulations, don't worry about learning everything at once because you won't. It will take time to learn things, and your preceptors know that you don't learn everything at once. I have been a nurse for 14 years and I am still learning so you are always learning. It will take about a year for you to feel comfortable. So take a deep breath and relax. Most of us really don't eat our young:D.

Don't worry relax and ask questions! You will do great.

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Specializes in Telemetry & Obs.

Lisa, it's a bit like starting all over again, isn't it?! Remember the days as a new student, then gaining some knowledge and experience along the way, and before you know it you're a senior and feel so experienced. Then you graduate.....and start your new career...at the bottom all over again.

You'll do fine, Lisa...just like you did in nursing school :)

If it helps at all, I'm right there with you...feeling slightly overwhelmed and nervous.

Teresa

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Thank you all so much for your words of encouragement. I have been feeling so stressed and worried lately. I start tomorrow with my preceptor. I am just really nervous. I just keep telling myself that I just have to try in order to know if I can do it. I have been praying alot about it. I hope I am taking the right path and have faith God will guide me.

Thank you again, and I will keep you updated to my progress. I feel so good when I read these posts, it makes me feel some courage.

Lisa

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Sabrina,

I am reacting just like you; can't sleep the night before; is it the unknown of the day coming? Who knows. I have a great coach (that is what they are called at my hospital). She says I am doing fine. But so uptight still about getting my meds to my patients on time (from clinicals) and doing "what is right." I think about protecting my license constantly. Must be a new grad thing. I feel like it will get better as time goes on, but for the moment, it is "scary."

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Well, I have a couple of days under my belt as a new RN. The first day, I was ok until after lunch, then all H broke loose and I was so overwhelmed. I was following my preceptor, but she was so busy trying to get all her stuff done, that I just followed along like a lost puppy. On my way home from there, I cried. I thought "What am I doing?" I felt like there is no way I can do this. So, I got home at like 8:45 pm, took a shower, ate a bowl of cereal and then went to bed. Got up this morning, went back in for another day. I actually had patients to take care of myself, didn't go too bad, got alittle busy in the afternoon, but not bad. BUT, I didn't do all the stuff, my preceptor handled some of the stuff for me. I KNOW what you are thinking "it's only your first week", but I feel like I am an outsider and that everyone is looking at me and already critiqueing me and my abilities. The thing is, my preceptor didn't even know I was a new grad until I told her, so there must be a lack of communication.

Anyway, I am off for a few days. I am glad.

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Specializes in LTAC, Homehealth, Hospice Case Manager.

RNLisa,

Thank you for your post. It is an inspiration. I will be in your position in 2 1/2 weeks. My pinning is this Friday, I haven't had clinicals since July 19th & start my new job the 28th (before boards :eek: !). Things are moving very fast :bugeyes: ! I have to admit my butterflies are having butterflies & I feel like I have forgotten everything I've learned! Hang in there & I wish you all my best! :icon_hug:

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

Sounds like a normal new grad experience to me. Don't spend a lot of time worrying about the future, it will take care of itself in ways you can't imagine.

Sure there will be good days and bad days. There will be days when you smack your forehead and go "doh". There will days when you catch something and know stuff no one else does.

Good luck!

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