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?

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

Generally about a year. One of many reasons new grads should stick with a job for at least one, preferably two years. That first year as a nurse is miserable- dealing with the reality shock of real world vs nursing school, dealing with the realities of the job that nursing school just doesn't cover, and acclimating to being a working nurse. Leaving a job within that first year or two means starting over- and if one is continually starting over, how can one become competent?

[Davey Do]

Alexx, I like your questions in several threads here on AN.com It shows your interest, and hopefully dedication, to the field of nursing.

With that being said, I quote Horace who said, "(S)he who has begun has the job half done", so you're halfway there in your quest to feel comfortable.

Rose_Queen said it takes about a year and I agree that a year is a pretty good point-of-reference time frame. But I think back to when I broke into the most techy position of my nursing career which was working as a scrub nurse in surgery.

I was so driven to do a good job and had such an insurmountable interest in the area, that I literally ate, drank, and slept surgery. In the first three months, I was all thumbs and about as graceful as a bull in a china shop. But then, by six months, I was first-scrubbing on some major cases and some surgeons even requested that I first scrub with them.

With that, the amount of dedication and perseverance is a factor in how long it will take you to feel comfortable in your position. Youth is a factor too. We old dogs can also still learn new tricks but it takes longer, partially due to age and energy.

Godspeed, Alexx!

[sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN]

My aggorant response day one.

But that is a reflection on nursing education, in early 70's........we had more 90%, more clinical experiences than today's nursing education model.

It appears to me with today's model, about a year is about right.

[RockinNurse2018]

I've been a nurse almost 2 years and I'm still not completely comfortable.

[Crush]

I think it depends on the person, their clinical rotation (or lack of) and the setting they are in. That being said, I tend to see the newer nurses reaching their comfort level within 1-2 years. I don't think nursing students get the quality of experiences they need nowdays while in school. Schools assume all new grads will get into a nurse residency program( which those programs are wonderful for new grads )it seems. Just my opinion from what I see in my area.

[Eris Discordia BSN, RN]

I started in a specific ICU setting and it took me a solid two years to feel pretty darn comfortable. I felt like my head was finally above water around the first year.

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

A year starts the comfort level. After 18 mo. to 2 yrs I felt that I was fully comfortable in my job.

[MrNurse(x2), ADN]

I've been a nurse almost 2 years and I'm still not completely comfortable.

My standard response to new nurses is "it will take a year to make you feel like you know what you are doing, and three to say you are comfortable".

[Crystal-Wings, LVN]

It really depends on the person and their personal confidence level. Everyone is different, and thus everyone learns differently. I think it can also depend on the area of nursing you start out in, such as ICU for example, where there would be a lot of things to learn and the patient acuity is higher.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

It usually seems to take about a year to become comfortable and about two years to become competent. It took me longer.

[ellisjl, BSN, RN]

@crush I want to second this opinion! I'm a (very) new nurse. While I'm enjoying my gig on a med surge floor, I would not classify myself as feeling "comfortable" in any way. There are three different schools doing clinicals on my floor. So unfortunately for students working with me, I accompany and walk them through any and all tasks I feel confident in being able to perform myself in order to "push" them into doing something they may be able to shy away from. I had a lot of teachers and nurses with a "do it if you feel you want to" attitude, so I did my fair share of shying away in school. I want to give these students opportunities to get their hands dirty and have the experience before entering the real world.