Hey everybody! I'm hoping what I'm feeling is normal, but I'm on here just looking for a little reassurance and encouragement. I just graduated in December, and I already passed my boards and accepted my job offer in the local ER. I have begun general orientation, but haven't started in the ER yet (I start Friday night). I am so nervous, and I feel like I have forgotten everything I learned in school. I am scared that when I get with my preceptor that I won't know how to do anything and they will think I am an idiot! I am hoping that after my first shift, I become excited and less nervous. Just wondering if anyone else felt this way.

Thanks everyone.

I think what you are feeling is pretty common. I have only been working as a nurse for about 8 months now and I still remember how nervous I was! (Actually, I was always nervous and anxious until about the 6th month mark and it's slowly getting better. From what I've heard and read, that's pretty normal too.) My advice is to stay confident!!! Remember that everyone starts at the bottom and you are not expected to know everything. Nursing school for me was just a tiny window into the actual nursing world. A lot of my knowledge has been from on the job learning. So keep that in mind too. It's impossible to remember everything!!! That's why it's important to ask questions, look skills/drugs up if you've never done them or even for a refresher, and use your coworkers especially while training! Also, remember you passed nursing school and the licensure test so you DO know something :)

Thank you for your encouragement :) :)

I'm in almost an identical situation! I graduated in June and began on a medsurg floor in August. I just left there this week, and am beginning orientation next week in an ER much closer to my home. Working in an ER has always been extremely exciting and interesting to me, so I'm really looking forward to it... But, at the same time, I'm intimidated now and really nervous that I won't be smart enough! I wish you luck and hope it goes well!