Need a little bit of positive...

Nurses New Nurse

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I am a new grad on orientation on a telemetry unit. Although it's only been a month and some days, I can say that I DO NOT IN ANY WAY enjoy what I am doing. It hasn't come to dread yet, but that's probably right around the corner. I often think, "How will I ever manage this w/o a preceptor." It's a constant juggling act. When I give report, my preceptor(s) occasionally will throw in a tidbit that I didn't know, or didn't remember. Or, sometimes when I'm giving report to a nightshift nurse, he/she will ask something that I have no clue about, but my preceptor does, so they answer. This makes me feel like I am going to be a mess when I'm on my own. Thus far, I am told that I am doing "very well" but I just don't feel it. Sure, I'm doing well with tasking, but who can't do that? People have told me that I am too hard on myself. I just want to provide good patient care, and be a competent nurse. I do not want to be the nurse that people hate to follow. I guess I just feel like after almost 2 months I should be more "with it." I have let everyone that I precept with know that I welcome any feedback/constructive criticism that they may have, because I want to learn/understand things so that when I am on my own, I am not a complete fool. In the beginning, my primary preceptor told me a few things that she would have done differently: priority things mainly. Overall, the majority have said that I'm doing well, but that I'm too hard on myself. I just cannot fathom doing this on my own.

Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.
Ok, ok :), I don't dislike everything about my job. Sorry for the capital letters, at that moment, I felt they were necessary to convey what at the time I thought were my true feelings. When I did my post, I was still "coming down" from work. I love my patients--err, some of them :). My dayshift co-workers have been quite helpful as well. Thank you for helping me put things in perspective. You're right, once I clear my head, and take a step back, it's not that I dislike what I am doing. I think as one other person posted, the "dislike" stems from fear. Thanks for responding, I needed that.

Sometimes you can't see the forest for the trees. I still have days like that and when my head clears I have to keep it simple and think of one or two good things about my job. Also, as time goes on I am able to shake off the bad days.

Also, comparing yourself to your preceptor is not a good idea...apples and oranges.

Good luck. We've been there and done that and understand.

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Specializes in Telemetry, Stepdown.

I felt the same way when I started orientation. I thought that I could never manage without my preceptor, but I am so far. I've been off orientation for a week now and surprised on how well I'm doing. I still have a long way to go and will ask a lot of questions, but it will get better with time. Also remember that even when you are off orientation, you will never be "on your own" there will always be someone around with more experience to help you.

Good luck!

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There is a saying that comes to mind when I read your message, "How do you get to Carnigie Hall? The answer: Practice."

You are a brand new RN with that new RN shine. The only experience that you have under you belt is from school. And it is a very scarey experience not knowing what is going on, but taking care of another human being.

For me, Nursing is a second career. I use to be a computer programmer, and I could tell you there were times that I thought I did not know what I was doing right at the beginning. That was the inexperience talking.

When I started my job as an RN, I knew the only experience I had under my belt was from school. And I went into it (I work on the toughest floor in the hospital, the Med/Surg Renal Floor) prepared to feel overwhelmed, scared, and nervouse. In otherwords, I knew I was going to feel as helpless as I did as a new programmer.

There were times in report I would fail to mention things, and my preceptor would as me a question about it, and then I would remember.

Relax, if your preceptor says you are doing well, then you are. They want to see you be sucessful, and they realize there are going to be times you have no idea what you are doing, and that is why they are they, to support you when you feel overwhelmed.

I remeber in school being terrified of having more than 2 patients. Could not imagine how I was going to manage having 3 or more. Even starting as an RN scared the BM out of me. But I kept my cool reminding myself that I was brand new and had a lot of knowledge, but no real experience. I am now five months into my practice, and I can nurse with the best of them. And occationally I do forget things, but that is part of being human.

When the new RN group came around a few days ago just to see how I was doing, I was able to tell them, more and more, that I am finding I can rely on my experience.

Also, the first year of nursing is the most stress, because you are seeing many things for the first time. And the first time you see something, you have no experience to back you up, but the next time you see a similar situation, you will have the knowledge of what to do.

Adam, RN

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Hi,

Just graduated and studying for NCLEX....I am looking forward to being on the floor....but also feeling a little apprehensive. It nice to read some of the postings...thanks

Sabee

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I recently got my RN after 21 years as an LPN. All of my career has been in longterm care. I have accepted a position on a 50 bed telemetry unit. Needless to say, I am scared to death. I will have a preceptor and 8 to 10 weeks of orientation. The Nurse Manager told me more orientation can be provided if needed. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. This is a 180 degree turn for me.:confused:

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Specializes in hospice.

Pie123, I am you. I started on a tele floor in November, am in week 7 of my 12 week orientation, and many times feel like an idiot (though I don't let on.) I'm a new grad LPN (50 y/o mid-life career changer) and wonder why my hospital (500+ bed, L2 trauma center) chose to trust me with heart patients. My co-workers are terrific and supremely helpful, but there is SO much to do, and SO much to learn. ANd, did I mention I sometimes feel like an idiot??

This last week was almost too much. Xmas eve, the census was light, but ALL the pts either had one foot in the grave or should have been in a nursing home. We had 2 codes (within an hour), and out of my 4 pts, two were DNRs and three were in isolation. I prayed all day that I would not have code #3.

I was scheduled to start my LPN to RN transition program next month (I'm impatient in my old age), but have put it off until May. I'll take an advanced IV class next week and an arrhythmia class starting week after (weekly for 8 weeks) at my hospital. I love (most of) the patients, and am pretty darned competent at most things. But... you know the rest.

I'm off today, but am WHIPPED. How long does it take before you stop being so exhausted?? (I'm fit, take vitamins, eat healthy, don't smoke, etc.) I think I'll go take a nap while I can!

Pie123, I am your twin, in FL. Thanks for this thread. The comments and support from other "been there" nurses are very helpful.

Nancy

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Pie123, I am you. I started on a tele floor in November, am in week 7 of my 12 week orientation, and many times feel like an idiot (though I don't let on.) I'm a new grad LPN (50 y/o mid-life career changer) and wonder why my hospital (500+ bed, L2 trauma center) chose to trust me with heart patients. My co-workers are terrific and supremely helpful, but there is SO much to do, and SO much to learn. ANd, did I mention I sometimes feel like an idiot??

This last week was almost too much. Xmas eve, the census was light, but ALL the pts either had one foot in the grave or should have been in a nursing home. We had 2 codes (within an hour), and out of my 4 pts, two were DNRs and three were in isolation. I prayed all day that I would not have code #3.

I was scheduled to start my LPN to RN transition program next month (I'm impatient in my old age), but have put it off until May. I'll take an advanced IV class next week and an arrhythmia class starting week after (weekly for 8 weeks) at my hospital. I love (most of) the patients, and am pretty darned competent at most things. But... you know the rest.

I'm off today, but am WHIPPED. How long does it take before you stop being so exhausted?? (I'm fit, take vitamins, eat healthy, don't smoke, etc.) I think I'll go take a nap while I can!

Pie123, I am your twin, in FL. Thanks for this thread. The comments and support from other "been there" nurses are very helpful.

Nancy

It is a painful thing, isn't it? :) (being new) I am off orientation at the end of January :eek:

I am getting more comfortable with knowing that it's going to take time to understand things, and that I am learning new things everyday. I absolutely love the fact that I am constantly learning. I just hope the nightshift staff has patience with me once I'm off orientation, and have to give report to some of them :o.

But, we can do this. It just takes time to get familiar with things. As you said, there is a lot to know. We're not going to know it overnight.

You know, I was also going to take some classes at the end of January, for an advanced degree. But I'm thinking maybe I should prolong that just until I get into the groove of this position. Good luck to you. Keep in touch.

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OMG I am now completely freaked to even get a job.:bugeyes:

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