New nurse, just want to walk out

Nurses New Nurse

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Hello fellow nurses! I just wanted to express myself right now. I'm a new grad and I got my first job.

Before the orientation I was so excited to work and able to show my knowledge and experience. I just got out of 15days orientation and working on my own for 2 days, yeah just 2 days and I want to resign right now. I feel like an idiot to be honestly, I dont know whats going on to the patients. I'm just a robot with my shift just doing routine medications treatments doctor calls etc but like when A patient or family member ask me something like about what happened last week or what I dont know what to say! Everybody in my unit is very helpful and all they saying is you know what your doing and you'll be fine. It just takes time. A nurse even told me she got the hang of it after 3 months but for me, what am I suppose to do in the first months staying here. i cannot sleep at night anymore because Im so nervous I lf i did anything wrong, If I missed something or what. I know its too early to quit but I cant do this anymore

Specializes in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation.

Hey there fellow new grad! Best thing I can say is hang in there! Yes, it has ONLY been 2 days! You can't expect to know what to do at ANY job in 2 days. Not sure what unit/facility you work at but you are a fresh new grad, you need to be a sponge. The last 5 or 6 weeks of my orientation was precepting starting at 1 patient going up to 4 patients at the end (telemetry floor) and I've made COUNTLESS mistakes that I certainly learned from. You will make mistakes, you will never know everything there is to know about a patient. This is part of being a new grad. Trust me, I'm now coming to my 3rd month alone and I still feel dumb sometimes, but when I look back I've definitely learned so much. It's especially true when I give report or talk to other new grads that are just starting their orientation.

Nervousness and anxiety is part of the job and you will feel that every shift (unfortunately), but I've been told it lessens as time progresses and it's sometimes a good thing because it helps you stay on your toes and stay aware. The anxiety portion of nursing is what I dislike the most and have had trouble (but I'm better at it now) handling it.

Just a side note, you are not expected to know everything about a patient especially if that's your first time having him/her. That is impossible. When family or the patient asks about prior care, results, etc, I just tell them, "I do not know but I can look it up for them when I get the chance."

First, I am sorry you are feeling this way. In the beginning we go through so many different emotions - some simultaneously - that it seems like we're going crazy.

OK. Now, I would like to know what unit you work on or what facility that only gives brand new grads 15 DAYS of orientation?!

Even though there are certainly others around, I cannot imagine a new grad being 100% responsible on their own after only 2 weeks? Am I old school or missing something?

So, the organization and recall etc are going to take time to learn. One way I'm sure you must have seen around is to carry a "brain". This is just sort of a cheat sheet with patient info...even drs carry them!

Anyway. Good luck to you. If you are really feeling that overwhelmed, speak to your nurse manager. If she/he is good at listening, you should be able to work together to come up with a solution.

It sounds like you were dealt a bad hand. With my first job, I was given 3-4 months of orientation. What type of floor is it? If you don't feel comfortable (sounds like you don't), I'd highly suggest talking to your manager or ANM about being put back with a preceptor. I know in the SICU I just left, we would alter orientation schedules all the time for those that felt they needed more time.

15 days? That's not much orientation for a new nurse.

The first year of nursing is about time management. The first year is task oriented. You are just trying to keep your head above water.

If you don't know something, say, "I am not sure but I can look it up."

Don't be afraid to admit you don't know something. Don't give up. Hang in there, but ask for more orientation, if needed. Or find a mentor.

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

Are you in LTC?

I would go back to your HR or scheduler and request more time on orientation to become more comfortable talking to patients and family. If they don't give you that, leave the facility and go somewhere else. Because that's not a safe place to be. Everyone is right, it just takes time to become more accustomed. Also, never forget that it's okay to get your unit manager when having discussions. Especially in ltc because you have very vague histories quite often. Use your other nurses and just say, "let me go look at your chart". Good luck and hang in there!!!

Hey heronurse! Your post echoes my feelings exactly back when I started my first job a few months ago. Feeling like a robot, like everything I learned in school and all my confidence mysteriously evaporated and yup, having trouble sleeping and calming down after work. I strongly empathize with you and I'm sorry you have to go through it!

Some advice... It does get better with time I swear!! May be a different timeline for you but after about a month in (I had only 6 days orientation :s ) I stopped panicking and my confidence (and sleep!) was better and growing. You are not alone and you can get through this! In the meantime, do what you gotta do and take care of your self! Try try try to leave work AT work or reflect on your shift for a bit and move on (I know I know, easier said than done...) Some suggestions... Have someone to "vent" to or journal and get all those worries out, it does help get that burden off. Find something to be grateful/proud of yourself for every shift because you really are learning so much and doing a lot of good every day! Anything that works for you that helps you (one positive thing I got out of this transition was learning how to take better care of my self)

And don't worry about asking for help! It sounds like you have helpful co-workers so don't hesitate to ask lots of questions. Things will get easier the more you do them. Come in a little early before shift and read up on pt history if need be. Stay an extra few mins after shift to check if you haven't missed anything/pass on in report. It'll hopefully help ease your mind.

Oh and re: patient inquiries from families, it's ok not to know! If I don't know, I usually say I'll find out for them or they can ask the doc/charge when they come around in a bit etc.

Good luck!!

Are you in LTC?

Yes ltc, to be honest i dont knownwhats really going on

I feel your pain. I am not even done orientation and I already feel like walking out!

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
Yes ltc, to be honest i dont knownwhats really going on

I thought so.

LTC is much different in the hospital setting; They don't NOT do orientation like a hospital. :no:

Certain facilities only give a well rounded orientation; some give only three days as the bare minimum post facility orientation.

One of the things that helped me become organized in LTC was to make a "brain" sheet with pts who need BPs, Glucose Checks, Feeding tube times, rounding checks, etc; tailor it to what you need and it will help with managing your pts needs.

Check out the LTC forum; you will find many threads similar to your and lots of tips from posters and specialized nurses who enjoy this specialty and found a way to thrive.

Best wishes.

Specializes in 15 years in ICU, 22 years in PACU.
Hey heronurse! Your post echoes my feelings exactly back when I started my first job a few months ago. Feeling like a robot, like everything I learned in school and all my confidence mysteriously evaporated and yup, having trouble sleeping and calming down after work. I strongly empathize with you and I'm sorry you have to go through it!

Some advice... It does get better with time I swear!! May be a different timeline for you but after about a month in (I had only 6 days orientation :s ) I stopped panicking and my confidence (and sleep!) was better and growing. You are not alone and you can get through this! In the meantime, do what you gotta do and take care of your self! Try try try to leave work AT work or reflect on your shift for a bit and move on (I know I know, easier said than done...) Some suggestions... Have someone to "vent" to or journal and get all those worries out, it does help get that burden off. Find something to be grateful/proud of yourself for every shift because you really are learning so much and doing a lot of good every day! Anything that works for you that helps you (one positive thing I got out of this transition was learning how to take better care of my self)

And don't worry about asking for help! It sounds like you have helpful co-workers so don't hesitate to ask lots of questions. Things will get easier the more you do them. Come in a little early before shift and read up on pt history if need be. Stay an extra few mins after shift to check if you haven't missed anything/pass on in report. It'll hopefully help ease your mind.

Oh and re: patient inquiries from families, it's ok not to know! If I don't know, I usually say I'll find out for them or they can ask the doc/charge when they come around in a bit etc.

Good luck!!

Such good advice, I can only add, nursing school just does not prepare you for the realities of the workplace. I think the disconnect has gotten even worse since my day (with the dinosaurs, LOL)

We want so much to put what we learned into practice but employers have another plan entirely. You have to make adjustments to your expectations without giving up entirely. That will be a career saver as change is constant!

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