Still feel like a new grad after a year and a half!

Nurses New Nurse

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Hi everyone! So I guess I'm seeking validation, or advice, or a few words to help me get through this and either become the emergency nurse I want to be or to try another area of nursing. My first nursing job straight out of school was ER! And that's what I wanted to do when I went into nursing. I was hired into a smaller, no trauma hospital, where we diverted/sent out all STEMI's and CVA's and most traumas. I've worked in clinics before as an MA so I was used to the in and out of patients and always changing pace. Of course only this time, I was an RN and patients stayed longer than half an hour and requires more attention and aggressive interventions. I spent one year there with no problems and was loved by my coworkers there but for personal family situations, moved to a level 2 trauma facility where I use to send all my critical patients down to. I just started not too long ago but I feel like a new grad all over again and my care on critical patients is not up to par. I know the basics such as fluids for a hypotensive patient but as far as the next set of interventions, I'm not sure. Also, there is SOOO many equipment and procedures that was never exposed to. I'm still on orientation but sometimes I feel like my preceptor is almost giving up on me. Some days are great, other days like days when I have sick patients can turn out to be discouraging. And i come home, stressed out, worried that I might lose my career, and sometimes even cry. My supervisors have so far been super supportive but I don't know what to say to them if they get a bad report about me. I try my best everyday and am reading books on critical care, and I know I'm FAR from

expert nurse. But what should I do or say? Is this normal how I'm feeling?

Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Yep, and every time you move into a new clinical setting, you'll get that 'newbie' feeling all over again. It's tough on the ego to move from the position of competent veteran to beginner... but unless you stay in the same clinical setting for the rest of your career, you'll experience it again in the future.

Stay humble & learn a lot.

ShaneTeam

201 Posts

Specializes in MICU, ED, Med/Surg, SNF, LTC, DNS.
Yep, and every time you move into a new clinical setting, you'll get that 'newbie' feeling all over again. It's tough on the ego to move from the position of competent veteran to beginner... but unless you stay in the same clinical setting for the rest of your career, you'll experience it again in the future.

Stay humble & learn a lot.

Agree completely. Give the job a chance. You have a new skill set to learn, and your supervisors know it. Learn all you can, and try to find joy in your new job! Soon, you will be wondering what you were worried about.

sailornurse

1,231 Posts

Specializes in ER/Tele, Med-Surg, Faculty, Urgent Care.

There is usually a 2 year learning curve for a new grad. You went into Er as a new grad and did well. Now you've stepped it up to higher level of acuity. It will take time to learn the basics let alone the cardiac drips. ACLS, pals etc plus the Meds, cardiac drips, protocols etcetc. Be gentle with yourself. I worked er & it made me get faster at everything. And I had 25 years experience and was coming from 8 years telemetry. Had zero pediatric experience which threw me off. Peds medications were challenging. Do you have a mentor who will take you under their wing and guide you? Talk to your charge nurses & your manager. Take care.

yayrn

11 Posts

Thanks!

jena5111, ASN, RN

1 Article; 186 Posts

Specializes in Tele, Interventional Pain Management, OR.
There is usually a 2 year learning curve for a new grad. You went into Er as a new grad and did well. Now you've stepped it up to higher level of acuity. It will take time to learn the basics let alone the cardiac drips. ACLS, pals etc plus the Meds, cardiac drips, protocols etcetc. Be gentle with yourself. I worked er & it made me get faster at everything. And I had 25 years experience and was coming from 8 years telemetry. Had zero pediatric experience which threw me off. Peds medications were challenging. Do you have a mentor who will take you under their wing and guide you? Talk to your charge nurses & your manager. Take care.

Wow, eight years of telemetry! You must have been very solid and well-prepared for your next step.

I have only been a nurse for four months working on a tele unit and I feel like I've learned SO MUCH (obviously with a long way to go). I admire the experienced nurses on my unit who calmly handle any situation--and we see some...interesting stuff--and manage their workload with ease.

Looking forward to surpassing the "novice" phase!

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