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  1. This is a discussion on New Nurse Blues in First Year After Nursing Licensure, part of Nursing Career Advice ... Hi everyone!!!! I am a new nurse (2wks out of orientation on a Renal floor and I just want to know...

    by Apr 18, '12
    Hi everyone!!!! I am a new nurse (2wks out of orientation on a Renal floor and I just want to know if what I'm experiencing is normal as a new grad nurse because @ times I just feel overwhelmed and discouraged.

    I recently got out of a 6 week orientation program , 2 of which was just getting information about the hospital itself. On average I have 6 pts. I get behind on medication delivery, constantly forget things,ask bunch of questions ( which probably annoys my co- works, but they never say anything they are so nice but I know it's hard having to help me and deal with their own pts). My handoff reports suck, I often wake up( I work the night shift) and realize stuff I forgot to tell the day nurse. Today I just realize I forgot to put in a clear liquid diet in the orders... I transcribe the order during shift change, even told the day shift the nurse that the diet was changing but never put it in. My coworkers tell me I'm doing ok and just be confident and everything will fall in place; just hate feeling incompetent @ times.

    I hate to even complain/ rant because I know how hard it is to find a job esp as a new nurse. Just need to vent a little frustration.
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    by Ashlee-SN Apr 18, '12 3:40 pm
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    skad33, QwerkeeNurse, Joe V, and 2 others like this.
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  3. 21 Comments so far...

  4. Apr 18, '12 by
    There's always a learning curve transitioning from classroom to work place. Keep your head up! You are learning lots, even though you may not think it. Just stay positive! Your co-workers (hopefully) are always there to help you in case you have any questions.

    You can do it!
    the_london_sky likes this.
  5. Apr 18, '12 by
    The first few months post graduation are absolute hell for everyone. I have never seen anyone just walk into a unit and feel like a pro. Just keep plugging away. Work on your time management and slowly but surely you will get better and more confident. The biggest thing if you do not know ASK! Going rogue is never the answer. Nursing is not a profession where you can guess.
    QwerkeeNurse, Riverrat2010, himilayaneyes, and 1 other like this.
  6. Apr 18, '12 by
    your experience really sounds typical enough. most likey it will get a bit more better as you learn more , and get faster with the tasks- that is a huge deal.
  7. Apr 18, '12 by
    You Should look into the book Reality Shock. It is perfectly normal to feel the way you are. Keep your chin up.
  8. Apr 18, '12 by
    Being a new nurse is hard. I would cry after work pretty consistently for the first couple months. It will get better as you gain knowledge and experiences to draw from. Ask as many questions as you can and if other nurses get irritated, oh well. Better to be safe than not ask questions and put your pts. at risk. When I first started as a nurse I would ask other nurses who seemed efficient, what they did to "stay on track". You can do it! Stick with it and be patient with yourself. Best of luck.
  9. Apr 18, '12 by
    I'm sure you're doing fine!! Sometimes we are our own worst critic. Hang in there you're supposed to be there and you're doing what you love. It'll all work out.
  10. Apr 18, '12 by
    It is normal and it will get better the longer you work.
  11. Apr 18, '12 by
    As another new nurse, been working the floor for 7 months, you sound like me my first oh 5.5 months. For whatever reason after my 6 month review I kinda feel like things that were so hard/frustrating and time consuming are becoming second nature. It is a sharp learning curve.
    Epic_RN and Merlyn like this.
  12. Apr 19, '12 by
    Quote from Mandychelle79
    As another new nurse, been working the floor for 7 months, you sound like me my first oh 5.5 months. For whatever reason after my 6 month review I kinda feel like things that were so hard/frustrating and time consuming are becoming second nature. It is a sharp learning curve.
    Welcome to nursing. Love post like this. Nurses becoming nurses.
    skad33, not.done.yet, and Purple_Scrubs like this.