Vent- new grads who don't struggle at work

fiveofpeep · May 12, 2010

I feel like some days go very smoothly but I am always overwhelmed in the first few hours of the shift and when I have a new admit. I can understand how you'd want to compare yourself to others. It's a basic human need to know that we are normal and what we are going through is normal. I think the advice others have said rings true that someone who is too confident, and has things going too smoothly probably isnt looking at themselves in an honest light.

RedhairedNurse, BSN, RN · May 12, 2010

Some schools prepare their students more than others. For instance, i work at at teaching hospital and certain schools have students that are much more prepared to start working the floor. One school for example have their students do a 6 weeks internship, that is, they work on the floor directly with the nurse for 6 weeks, no instructor present, just under supervision of the RN; the student works from 7a-7p and takes the full pt load on the last week. This student nurse is much better prepared than I was when I graduated.

Just do the best you can do, don't compare yourself with others. It won't take too much longer and you'll have it all down. It took me about 6mos to start feeling even the slightest bit of confidence.

Bobbkat · May 13, 2010

I can't believe all schools don't do an internship?? I had to do a 15 week one, where I worked with one RN preceptor for the 15 weeks and gradually worked my way to a full patient load by the end of the semester. I was shocked when I heard that other school don't do similar internships. It was SSSOOOO helpful. I felt much more confident in my ability to be successful.

Patchouli · May 13, 2010

i think it's normal human nature to want to know where one stands, especially in this type of environment. people's lives are on the line. of course you want to know if you measure up! the important thing is that you actually care if you measure up or not. you are interested in being the best patient advocate that you can be, and that is what will matter in the end. to care is the very nature of nursing.

Donnuh · May 13, 2010

My school required 120 hours of preceptorship. I personally did not think that was enough time to adjust. At the end of my preceptorship I had four patients on the medsurg/tele floor and I struggled even with my preceptor the first two times to care for four patients. There was so much to remember. I seriously do not know how my preceptor knows when the MD come and change the patient's order when she is across the hall in the room on the opposite side of our quad! But she knows, it is like she has eyes in the back of her head! It is so hard to keep up with the changes of new orders, and new doctors. My preceptor said after awhile you know the doctors faces and know who they come to see. But boy was it tough! I actually dreaded going to clinical each day because I was scared to make mistakes! At the end of my preceptorship, my teacher graded me as above average but there was not ONE single day that I did not go to clinical scared to death I would kill a patient! I asked for help with everything! I felt very incompetent because I was always asking for help! Time management is another factor that was challenging. I found out that if I completed all my assessments within an hour and pass out the medications at the same time of the assessment I can finish on time. The problem is I look up every freaking medication and made sure its compatible with one another lols. Then I triple check my medications so I take forever.....Ah, then there is the sidetrack of can you help me with this, that? And being a nursing student I did not know how to say no and go and help everybody I can. I need to change that when I start working though and if I start working. Jobs are rare in California :sniff: . The thought of working scares me though, I understand how it feels to be a new grad on the floor and how challenging it is. Although I did not cry at the end of my shift I find my self wondering did I do this right or wrong? I also could not feel my legs with all the running that I did, and felt like I got hit by a train once I got home! At least I don't need to hit the gym :yeah: .

carebearsRN · May 13, 2010

I can't believe all schools don't do an internship?? I had to do a 15 week one, where I worked with one RN preceptor for the 15 weeks and gradually worked my way to a full patient load by the end of the semester. I was shocked when I heard that other school don't do similar internships. It was SSSOOOO helpful. I felt much more confident in my ability to be successful.

I went to an accelerated 12 month program for nursing b/c I already had a bachelor's. Unfortunately we didn't get to do internships because our schedules were packed. I wished the school had squeezed it into the schedule somehow :crying2:

Bobbkat · May 13, 2010

Oh, I hadn't thought of that. I guess it makes sense that in an accelerated program it's impossible to dedicate that much time to a preceptorship. Too bad, because like I said, I felt it was extremely helpful. Of course....I can't find a job, so who knows how comfortable I'll be on a floor when I finally get there...sigh.