New RN drowning

Nurses New Nurse

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Hello all,

I have been reading through so many other threads trying to find comfort, and I figured it was finally time to join this forum myself. I am a not a babyrn as in I work with babies, but I am a new nurse working on a Med/surg floor nights 7p-7a. I have been on my own for about a month now and im feeing really down. I have read so many stories from other new grads that are struggling and I really do hope that what I am feeling is normal. Nursing for me has always been a struggle. I struggled in school though I studied very hard. I also had a hard time during my orientation and my preceptor was not very approachable and would always tell me that I wasn't quite "getting it". My manager told me that she felt I was just having trouble with my confidence. I cry before every shift and feel like im on information overload when i read through a pts chart at the beginning of shift. I get sick to my stomach when a doctor approaches me because i cant always remember everything about the patient they ask about. In the morning when i give report the other nurses always seem to find something that i forgot to do from the night before. I never forget anything that would cause harm to the patients but I feel awful just the same and worried that they picked up on something that never even occured to me to do. When i go home and sleep I have dreams that I am still at the hospital and my sleep cycle is really off. I cant enjoy my days off because i keep thinking about having to go back to work the following day. I really want to speed through this first year to see how things are going to end up for me. Thanks for letting me vent. Any stories of new grads feeling this way or any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated. :unsure:

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Specializes in Nursing Management.

From being on this forum for a good minute, this seems to be what all new grads go through. Did you struggle in clinicals when it came to charting? I recommend finding a hobby or something that requires your complete attention to allow you to unwind a bit.

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Specializes in Cardiac, Home Health, Primary Care.

I made up a patient info sheet I'd use for each patient. It has general info, tell number, history, labs, my physical assessment, etc. If I had that filled out I had at least a good chunk of info. Maybe if you made a "cheat sheet" of sorts it may help? I'd put notes (rounding times, etc.) on these too and as I charted I'd highlight it. Then I knew it was charted. So perhaps it's just organization and maybe you wouldn't forget things, give better report, and get things done in a more timely manner?

And med surg can be rough. Lots of patients with lots of problems.

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I feel the same way. I don't really look forward to going to work. The night before I am usually stressed out and unable to relax. My preceptor is a very experienced nurse, but I feel he sometimes gets frustrated with me. I can hear it in his voice. One time I confronted him about this, but he denied it.

I had my second "check up" with my preceptor and nursing manager. He said that I do a good job charting but that I make too many mistakes and I forget things/don't have a good memory. I didn't really agree with him regarding the mistakes. I asked for examples, but he didn't name anything specific. Then, of course, later in the day I made a mistake and he gave me a big lecture, "See that's the type of mistakes you make," or something like that. I don't feel very supported sometimes.

Today was my first day taking a full patient load. I was busy non-stop. I was still charting by the end of the shift. I was so frazzled, I wasn't prepared to give report and felt like a complete idiot.

I get very confused on which doctor I am supposed to call. Nothing is very clear on who to call. Each patient might have a surgeon, a specialist, and a hospitalist. Add to that the different rules on who to call after hours. Plus, some of the doctors talk really fast and use a lot of medical jargon, and I'm thinking, "What did you just say?"

I have a "brain" sheet I use to keep organized. I am still tweaking it, but it works pretty good. I think I need to do a better job of focusing on each task rather than getting overwhelmed by everything that needs to be done. I also spend a lot of time on assessments, but that usually puts me behind schedule. I want to be thorough and make sure I don't miss anything. I think a lot of nurses just BS their assessments. That's not the kind of nurse I want to be, but it's difficult to do things thoroughly when there are so many demands placed on us. There is always a phone ringing or call light going off. It's hard to focus.

I'm tired. That's my disorganized rant for the night.

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It's normal to feel that way. I too have just gotten off orientation for about 2 months. Trust yourself, you know more than you think. Everything will fall in place with time and effort.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
I made up a patient info sheet I'd use for each patient. It has general info, tell number, history, labs, my physical assessment, etc. If I had that filled out I had at least a good chunk of info. Maybe if you made a "cheat sheet" of sorts it may help? I'd put notes (rounding times, etc.) on these too and as I charted I'd highlight it. Then I knew it was charted. So perhaps it's just organization and maybe you wouldn't forget things, give better report, and get things done in a more timely manner?

And med surg can be rough. Lots of patients with lots of problems.

This is a good example to get organized. :yes:

Search here on AN and find a "brain" sheet; there are plenty here to use as a blue print; use the sheet to organize what needs to be done; what you need to report, even phone numbers to the team they are on just in case you have to contact them if anything happens.

Another way to help with the challenges is to note their condition, and look it up-you will have to do some form of self study in order to understand the concepts; there are plenty of Med-Surg sources out there where you may need to have at least ONE study day to understand what pt population you have interacted and will potentially interact with; the other days, LEAVE work at WORK; find ways to not worry about work, like using guided imagery after your dreams to elicit a positive outcome; eat well and try to get exercise; and when all else fails, seek professional help to assist in helping you create healthy coping skills in handling stress.

Best wishes.

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I'm starting this Oct as a graduate nurse in the med telly unit. I feel like I know what you mean before Ive even begun.

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

Hi everyone,

I am also starting in October as a med surg float nurse. Reading everyones posts makes me feel very anxious and jittery knowing that I will have to go through everything you guys are going through. I am sure we can make it through this together!

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Specializes in hospice.

The hazards of living in Phoenix, land of a million pools (and using the "what's new" function on the mobile app)..... I thought this was going to be a news story about a nurse who actually drowned. :facepalm:

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Specializes in Psych, Substance Abuse.
The hazards of living in Phoenix, land of a million pools (and using the "what's new" function on the mobile app)..... I thought this was going to be a news story about a nurse who actually drowned. :facepalm:

Tell me about it! I'm originally from FL, so I definitely miss the rain, but geez!

Anyway, OP, I feel as though I could have written this post myself. I started my first RN job in the beginning of August and got a generous two weeks of orientation--note the sarcasm there?? I work in a mental health/detox facility, and I keep trying to convince myself that I don't really hate nursing, I just hate the specialty I'm in. The patient population is horrible. They love their meds and interrupt my med pass planning (med pass, ugh, it's freaking horrible) to ask for stuff for their "anxiety." Sure, anxiety, OK.

Anyway, I have been on my own for two weeks, and I just absolutely hate it. Don't get me wrong, the staff that I work with is awesome and supportive, and my perceptor was amazing, but it's just so rough. Like I said, I've been in this for a month now and up until this week EVERY SINGLE DREAM that I had was about work. Every one of them. I couldn't escape work even when I slept! The only day that I'm happy is my first day off. After that, I just waste my time off dreading going back to work. I am always super, super grumpy, and that's not me. I have a bubbly personality and it's gone. My hubby swears that it has to do with him, but I'm trying to convince him that it's just that I hate my job. I have already cried twice about this job, and I'm sure that there are many more tears to follow. The only reasons I stay are: I love my boss and coworkers, I need experience, I'm not a job hopper and how would 1 month at a job look on my resume?!, and the money is pretty great compared to my former job at Walmart LOL Speaking of money, I'm an emotional eater, and unfortunately now I have the funds to drown my sorrows in some really yummy food. I'm sure I'll gain tons of weight working here.

I didn't mean to vent so much on your thread, but I just wanted to let you know that you're not alone. I think that most nurses feel this way their first year. We can get through this! In the meantime, do lots of research on other specialties/RN positions that you feel you are passionate about. That will give you something to look forward to and remind you that there are many other jobs that nurses can do other than bedside. Me, I like to dream about someday being a community health RN that does home visits for pregnant women and women with newborn babies. I would LOVE that, and dreaming about that gives me hope. I hope you find the same hope :up: We can do it!!! Hang in there!

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

The first year of nursing is tough. The only way to GET through it is to GO through it, and job hopping only makes it take longer. In fact, I've met some nurses who never became competent because they'd start all over every time they took a new job.

I vividly remember crying before work, after work and a few times during work. I'd get diarrhea every time I had to give an IM injection, and I spent my off hours worrying about everything I hadn't done or might not have done while I was at work. It's normal, and it passes. It just takes about a year. When you're my age looking back, a year is just a tiny speck of time. You'll get through it.

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Thank you all so much for sharing. I've had a few shifts since my original post and they have all gone fairly well. I had to report off to my previous preceptor last shift and she actually told me i gave a good report. I can't wait to feel competent and have that moment when I realize everything "clicks" as everyone puts it. Its nice to not feel so alone. :nurse:

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