How long does it take to feel comfortable?

[Alexx_xox]

Im pretty sure this is one of the most commonly asked questions of new grad nurses.

I have asked MANY people this question and would like to get additional input.

When does one truly feel comfortable as a nurse? Does this vary depending on the person??

I know some people can catch onto the flow quite quickly, while others may take additional time.

Typically, I am a fast learner. I learn by doing things so I always look for the opportunity to try new skills, or learn something new.

With that being said, when did YOU feel comfortable as a nurse? Most of the people I have asked have said around the one year mark is when they felt like a good competent nurse.

What is your guys' opinion?

[nursingschooldiva, APRN]

I have been a labor and delivery nurse for 6 years and am never comfortable. I disagree when pppl say it will take a year. I feel when you feel comfortable is when you will begin to make mistakes. Not to say your skills will not improve but comfortable should never happen. Hope this helps.

[Medic/Nurse, BSN, RN]

OP, how long have you been a nurse? How long was your orientation? Class v. Clinical?

What is your speciality?

When do you think you will feel "comfortable"?

Why does feeling comfortable matter?

If you are a nurse and you are not a little "uncomfortable" would you think that's a bad sign?

Complacency is a real problem in healthcare. How does complacency happen?

*~*~*~*

Short answer for me - I was always a bit uncomfortable. However, I was confident that I could practice safely. I was confident in what I knew, as well as what I did not know and totally unafraid to ask for anything that benefitted the patient or bigger picture. I was confident in my assessment skills out of the box, but considered every patient as a "learning" opportunity (improved my assessment skills). It took me a few weeks to get organized. As for confidence in "circus skills", yeah, I was decent Day 1 (but, I had started a few thousand IV's) - it learning the indications behind interventions and reassessment that is very important and those refinements continue.

I started agency work after 4 months. I was traveling after 14 months of experience.

Here's the key. I learned something new most every day I worked as a nurse. That's right - EVERY SINGLE DAY. From every patient.

If you are a new nurse and you are not learning something from most patients you are caring for, you need to stop and have a tough look at your practice with a trusted mentor and figure out what you are missing. You are missing something. If you are a new nurse in an acute care area and aren't learning something most of the time or find that things are comfortable or routine, that is almost scary.

Now you know.

The only comfort I concerned myself over, was my patient's comfort.

YMMV

:angel:

[nursingschooldiva, APRN]

I am a labor and delivery nurse. I have been a ld nurse for 6 years. I had 4 months of orientation/bootcamp! i felt 50% comfortable after 2 years. But again when you feel like you have it all together thats when something will shake your foundation. I still have days when I feel like omg can I get thru these 12 hours. I do travel for the past 4 years to see how other places do it. I work fulltime ld nurse and partime nursing instructor. I teach my students you really need to be on your toes daily!

[Alexx_xox]

OP, how long have you been a nurse? How long was your orientation? Class v. Clinical?

What is your speciality?

When do you think you will feel "comfortable"?

Why does feeling comfortable matter?

If you are a nurse and you are not a little "uncomfortable" would you think that's a bad sign?

Complacency is a real problem in healthcare. How does complacency happen?

*~*~*~*

Short answer for me - I was always a bit uncomfortable. However, I was confident that I could practice safely. I was confident in what I knew, as well as what I did not know and totally unafraid to ask for anything that benefitted the patient or bigger picture. I was confident in my assessment skills out of the box, but considered every patient as a "learning" opportunity (improved my assessment skills). It took me a few weeks to get organized. As for confidence in "circus skills", yeah, I was decent Day 1 (but, I had started a few thousand IV's) - it learning the indications behind interventions and reassessment that is very important and those refinements continue.

I started agency work after 4 months. I was traveling after 14 months of experience.

Here's the key. I learned something new most every day I worked as a nurse. That's right - EVERY SINGLE DAY. From every patient.

If you are a new nurse and you are not learning something from most patients you are caring for, you need to stop and have a tough look at your practice with a trusted mentor and figure out what you are missing. You are missing something. If you are a new nurse in an acute care area and aren't learning something most of the time or find that things are comfortable or routine, that is almost scary.

Now you know.

The only comfort I concerned myself over, was my patient's comfort.

YMMV

:angel:

This may sound like a stupid question, but what does OP stand for?

I am a new nurse so I have only been licensed for 3 months. Also, I worked as a nurse apprentice prior to graduating.

My speciality is in ER. As far as when I think ill feel comfortable, I don't really know if I can put a time frame on that. Typically, I pick up on things quite quickly. And of course my main concern is patient comfort, not mine.

[nursingschooldiva, APRN]

I have no idea what OP stands for. I guess you have to ask the author. it is great you pick up things quickly but feeling comfortable has to do with knowing it all! When you can say I got this is when life will teach you you do not have it all together. Especially patient comfort is a whole other can of worms. Patietn will keep you on your toes as well.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

OP means original poster, the member who started the thread. In this case, Alexx_xox

[nursingschooldiva, APRN]

thanks for the clarification! lol.

[Medic/Nurse, BSN, RN]

Thank you Rose_Queen MSN, RN - I just had not made it back this way.

:angel:

[Alexx_xox]

OP means original poster, the member who started the thread. In this case, Alexx_xox

Thank you!

[kimpossible4real]

Generally a year or so to be at a slight comfort, we are always learning and developing.

Not everyone is in the same place at the same time. Good luck to you.

[TruvyNurse]

I'd say 6 months to feel out if you'll like the job or be a good fit. A year or better to feel more comfortable. However, even after almost 5 years I still have things that stump me or I have to ask. No shame. We never stop learning.

[pmabraham, BSN, RN]

It varies by the person. for me it was six months off orientation to be comfortable with a code, RRT, and the like, and 9 months off orientation to be comfortable floating to other units, and a year for overall comfort period.