[Soon2BPaeds]

I am just a few shifts away from finishing my consolidation and I am feeling a little overwhelmed. I still feel like I am not ready to graduate, I am still struggling to manage 3 patients (a full load on our floor is 2-3 patients), I still need the ocassional prompt from my preceptor to remember everything. I know I can't expect to be as knowledgeable or skillful as a seasoned nurse but how do I make sure I am a good, safe nurse until I get to that point?

[locolorenzo22]

double/triple check EVERYTHING you do until you feel comfortable...then continue to do it.....
Never do anything you aren't sure you know how to do.....that's the basics.....
I'm finishing school soon, and routinely have 5 med surg and 6-7 LTCs patients....just happens...you do what you can....

[WDWpixieRN]

Oh, Lord....I can SO relate....I don't know if it was the pressure of my clinical instructor standing over me like an eagle eye or knowing this was the "make-or-break" semester or what, but I felt like I could hardly do anything right!! And then she passed me!!

Now, we're only a few weeks from graduation and I'm just sure someone made a mistake!! I can NOT be ready to go out in the real world yet -- can I!?!?! It's very petrifying and I guess I'll just take it like I did so much of nursing school -- one day/shift at time!!

Best wishes all!!

[JessiekRN]

Hi guys.. I didn't see this thread until after I had started my own.. about being really freaked out to graduate.. I am very, very nervous. I feel like all throughout school I would think, well, I don't know anything about that- but I'll know it before I finish school.. well here I am about to graduate and I feel like I don't know anything about anything!! Very scary. I'm trying to console myself that I'll figure it out along the way.. I too am having trouble balancing 3 + patients.. I just hope they know what they're doing, giving me a license!!

[Italia13 RN]

SAME HERE.. I am FREAKING OUT !!! My last day of school is April 25th and I am so scared to be done. As much as I complained about being in school and all the work we had to do, I kinda want to stay!!! I don't feel ready at all..I think I am just nervous about making that transition from student nurse who always went to her instructor/preceptor when she didn't know something to being the competent nurse who has someones life in their hands and is expected to know alot more than what i know! Scary... but we will make it!! Good Luck to everyone Graduating this MAY!!!

[Soon2BPaeds]

Thank you soooo much for your responses. It makes me feel better knowing I am not the only one that feels so nervous.

[loboscon08]

I could not agree with all of you more! I too am graduating in May and have contemplated whether or not to purposely fail this semester so that I can have an extra semester to prepare myself for the real world! I have also told myself time and time again "oh I don't understand that now, but will definitely know it before I a graduate" and well, here I am 32 days from finishing school and still have not a clue! It is so great knowing that there are other people out there who feel the same way that I do! We will make it- every other new grad seems to! Congratulations early to all of us who are graduating in May and good luck!