[nurse-lou]

Let me tell you that your feelings are completely normal. I have been an RN for over 4 years now and there is still much that I do not know. I think you'll be ok, the new grads to worry about are the ones who are complacent and think that they "know it all" and don't ask questions. They usually fail.

There is a great book out there, written by a nurse called "Your First Year as a Nurse: making the transition from Total Novice to successful Professional" by Donna Wilk Cardillo, R.N. The ISBN number is 0-7615-333-8. I found it at Borders for $19.95.

I suggest that all new grads read this book as it will offer you tips and suggestions on surviving your first year as a nurse.

Good Luck,

Kelly

[GinaJ]

Well thank you all for your great advice, I certainly do feel better,
I do ask plenty of questions, I definitely don't have a problem there. It is nice to hear that everyone else has felt this way too at one time or another. Hope to hear from you all again soon.

Gina

[bgkrider]

Gina - The state apparently thinks you know what you are doing. I know what the test is like and if you passed it I think you can feel good about your abilities.

Many hospitals have a buddy system with new nurses. If your hospital does not have such a system, maybe you should suggest it.

The other thing is to just ask questions. I think nurses generally appreciate the value of someone who is interested enough to ask questions as opposed to someone who thinks they know everything or is too timid to ask a question. That is part of what charge nurses are for or nursing supervisors. So have confidence in yourself that you have met the state criteria for being a professional and take another six months to get comfortable in the role. I am sure you will feel much better soon. That is the way we all learn and adapt. You will too.

Best of Luck

[Diane-Rosella]

Hi, I am in my second year of a Bachelor of Nursing Degree. I can say to you Gina, even though I am not yet where you are, that just give it some more time, and all will fall into place. It's like driving a car...at first you have to think about starting it, putting it into gear, and then using the clutch and accelerator. You know what I mean. Eventually, you dont have to think too hard about it, most of it comes naturally. And so it will become with nursing. You wont have to think about everything you do, fortunately, for that will take up precious time, but it will also mean that you WILL have time for those things you will NEED to think about. So, hang in there, it will come together. All nurses have been where you, and if they had any compassion at all they will support you as much as you need.

Diane

[ninaldunn]

When I started on a busy surgical floor I worked 3-11:30 and got out around 2AM every time. Even after my extended orientation was finished I got out average of 0130. Then one day a co-worker who had been on the floor for 5 years was still there when I was done. I was so stunned. I though for sure I must have forgotten to do something. Then 1 week later another girl got stuck later then me. Then the other nurses told me I totally had the orientation from hell that I was given the 4 hardest patients they could find, instead on giving me a normal assignment with 1 hard 2 medium a 1 easy. The experienced nurses told me they would've been there even longer if they had my assignements. My assignments started to let up and get normal when other girls were at the end of their orientation.

Eventually I learned that we all ask each other questions and bounce off one another. Anyone with any experience can get out on time or be stuck until 0200.

By the way we have a new charting system that everyone gripes about but everyone seems to be done by 0015. - even the late girl.