Nervous!! Advice please!

Nurses New Nurse

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Specializes in ER/Forensics/Disaster.

I graduate from my ADN nursing program in December(starting my preceptorship in September). I AM SCARED SPITLESS!!! LOL -- I'm so nervous. I have learned so much in school..but it's not the real world. I've learned the pathophysiology of EVERYTHING, but I don't think I'll be able to recall it in the real world. I don't even know how to do an enema!! So many things are completely dismissed in nursing school, I assume for lack of time.

I feel like I'm going to be following another RN around like a lost puppy when I start work. I mean, how does this work? How do more experienced RN's look at the novice? Am I going to be annoying or do you expect tons(and I DO mean tons) of questions? How soon do I fly solo? Am I assigned to another nurse at first? I'm so nervous!! I hardly know anything about the drugs I've learned, it's all been dumped post-test(not by choice).

I know I'll learn this stuff lickety split when I get actual experience with it. But I just feel unprepared!! HELP PLEASE!!:idea:

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I just graduated in Dec.....I start my RN preceptorship next Tuesday. As a nursing student, I precepted during my last semester and I LOVED IT! We had clinicals all during school....but my preceptorship gave me a taste of what REAL nursing is like.

A good preceptor will expect that you will ask a million questions, will expect you to be lost, and will be there for you through it all. Take advantage of this great opportunity! The other nurses on my floor would come and get me if they were doing something "neat" (i.e. peritoneal dialysis, etc.) Make a point to let everyone know that you are there to learn and would like to participate in any experience.

A word of caution....one of my fellow graduates had a preceptor who treated this poor student as their personal slave. This is VERY rare, however. If you are not happy with your experience, be sure to speak up to one of your instructors.

Have fun and learn a bunch!

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Specializes in Ortho, Case Management, blabla.

ive been on my own for 5 months and i still ask questions all the time. its really no big deal. if the other nurses don't like it, well, that's their problem not mine. im not in business to look smart to other RNs, im in business to provide safe care. if i have a question i either stop and ask or take a minute to look up the answer. you're not going to graduate knowing everything there is to know. i learn at least 2 or 3 new things everyday, most of the time i learn more.

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Specializes in CICu, ICU, med-surg.

If you ever stop asking questions or get to the point that you think you know everything, that's when I would start to be concerned.

You're going to have a huge learning curve this first year. Soak up as much information as you can. Find an experienced nurse who you look up to and make them your mentor. Watch them with their patients and see how they organize themselves.

Above all, have confidence in yourself! You know far more than you think you do!

Good luck!

Todd

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I know I'll learn this stuff lickety split when I get actual experience with it. But I just feel unprepared!! HELP PLEASE!!:idea:

Calm down.

You just answered your own question ;)

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Truth is, there's really no time for nerves. Abandon your fear, and have confidence in yourself! You're always learning in nursing, too; if there's anything you can't do/recall, don't be afraid to admit so, and then learn on the job! Good luck :up:

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