Vent- new grads who don't struggle at work

Nurses New Nurse

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hi, I'm a new grad working on med/surg and I'm still on orientation. As typical as it sounds... I feel like I'm struggling and have lots to learn. Just wondering, are there actually new grads out there who AREN'T struggling?? I'm just a big surprised if you aren't because I have a coworker who started the same time as me and she always tell me "oh i'm doing great, I know what I'm doing, I'm so excited going to work". Mind you, this is her 1st job as an RN. I'm a calm person and I don't show my stress at work but deep down inside I feel like I'm struggling and I will admit it to the other nurses if I feel overwhelmed. I will also ask questions if I don't know something but my coworker has the attitude that she knows everything and makes me feel like she knows "more" than I do. Is she just being competitive or just trying to annoy me? :rolleyes:

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

In either case I'd ignore her and focus on myself. :)

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In either case I'd ignore her and focus on myself. :)

Agree. Better use of your energy. She is most likely feeding you what she wants you to believe.

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

IDK as a new grad, I felt like I never struggled like I've seen some of the nurses on our floor. Not that I didn't at times feel overwhelmed, but I knew I could handle it. Then again, I've seen some new grads come to the floor and they said they were doing fine but it was because they didn't know how many things they were doing incorrectly and patients they were putting in harm. This is what scares me most. If things are too good to be true, they usually are, but sometimes people are just more adaptable to their environment. If this is your fellow co-worker, it doesn't mean she is a better nurse than you, it just may take you longer to feel equally comfortable. That being said I do not feel school adequately prepares you for what to expect in the hospital.

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Specializes in Psych, Med/Surg, LTC.

I don't believe them. ;) Some just like to come across as confident and competent even if they aren't. Those type scare me!

We have one of "those" where I work now. She has been in the nurse managers office more times than I can count for patient complaints, med errors, etc. :uhoh3: But she knows everything and never needs any help. Oh, and great job on putting the incident report number in the nurses notes! When a nurse with 40 years experience tells you to NOT do something like that, it makes sense to generally listen to them. Sure, there may be nurses that "eat their young" but um, not all are like that. Most are truly trying to help and keep you out of trouble!

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
I'm just a big surprised if you aren't because I have a coworker who started the same time as me and she always tell me "oh i'm doing great, I know what I'm doing, I'm so excited going to work". Mind you, this is her 1st job as an RN.:rolleyes:

Just because she's saying "I'm doing great" doesn't mean she's feeling that way inside ;)

Seriously though, who cares? Focus on yourself and don't worry about how other new grads are handling--or not handling--things. Ignore her and keep doing what you can to improve yourself. Hang in there!

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you all are right. I will continue to focus on myself :) no need to stress over others

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Specializes in Post Anesthesia.

Maybe she is doing great and is having an easy time making the transition to RN work. There are some out there that are "naturals" to the process of nursing. Perhaps she had a job that provided her with skills that transfer over to nursing easier than yours. None of this is your problem- If you want to see how she is doing it- confide in her and ask her to help you to identify what your rough spots are. She may have tricks and skills she can help you with. It never hurts to have someone to support you who isn't paid to "precept" (judge) every thing you do. If nothing else it can't hurt to offer someone a compliment of "wow yo are sure adapting to the real world fast- I wish I had your confidence!" Just because she is picking up the job faster than you dosen't make her a more skilled nurse, a smarter person, a better human being or whatever- Of course she could just be a big boob who dosen't know how poorly she is doing. From the info we have from your post I am inclined to give her the benifit of the doubt. Some of the best nurses I've ever worked with took FOREVER on orientation. Off orientation they then took FOREVER getting thier basic care down to where thay could participate as part of the team. They turned out great in the end. A diamond in the rough takes a lot of work before it shines-

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Thank you for this thread. I really needed to read these posts. I have a terrible habit of comparing myself, especially to this one particular "new grad" on my unit ( she graduated the same time as me. Different school.. but she has been working on the unit for almost a year now, whereas I started 3 months ago-took a whle to find the job). I gotta learn to focus on myself instead of stressing over other people. In the end, there is no point to it. I'm focusing on something else instead of the most important thing: my patients!

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Specializes in Medical Surgical Orthopedic.

Maybe she's on to you and doesn't want to give the satisfaction of knowing she struggles. ;) I always say I'm doing great when someone asks.....and it's usually because I'm in a huge hurry and don't have time to say much else. :D

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Specializes in Psychiatric/ER/Primary Clinic/Addiction.

Lol

This reminds me of the overconfident "super nurse" who gave 2cc's of air with an I.M. of Vanco

Has anyone ever heard of that?

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Eh, I have now been working for 6 months and don't find it as difficult as a lot of the other nurses. Sure you get busy, but just get it done. Then again, I thought nursing school was a breeze as well. Its just a job

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