Doubts are setting in again..

fulwood · Jun 19, 2001

I am once again questioning whether I have what it takes to be a nurse. I am scared of having to give someone a shot, giving wrong medication dosage etc. etc. Does anyone else feel like this or is it just me? I don't work in a hospital and will be entering nursing school in the Spring of 2002 if my doubts and fears don't get in the way. Does nursing school prepare you for and give you the confidence and skills you need? Also eventually I want to return to Europe where I lived most of my life and wondered if I will be able to use my degree and skills over there? Before anyone lambasts me I am not questioning the American educational standards - I mean in terms of nursing/academic reciprocity between countries.

Thank you.

I always enjoy reading this website.

burger914 · Jun 19, 2001

Hello,

I absolutely understand how you feel. I just graduated on June 2 and will be taking my boards next month. I still am terrified that I will give the wrong dosage,and I am still very nervous about I.V's. Giving shots I feel a little more comfortable with. But I am told that it takes quite awhile before you feel comfortable even after you start working as a RN. I was extremely nervous before every clinical, but that made me prepare for it all the more. Nursing school is very hard work and it is scarey,but give it a try and understand that everyone is nervous and if they aren't ...those are the ones who make me nervous!! Good luck to you!

burger914 · Jun 19, 2001

Hello,

I absolutely understand how you feel. I just graduated on June 2 and will be taking my boards next month. I still am terrified that I will give the wrong dosage,and I am still very nervous about I.V's. Giving shots I feel a little more comfortable with. But I am told that it takes quite awhile before you feel comfortable even after you start working as a RN. I was extremely nervous before every clinical, but that made me prepare for it all the more. Nursing school is very hard work and it is scarey,but give it a try and understand that everyone is nervous and if they aren't ...those are the ones who make me nervous!! Good luck to you!

mustangsheba · Jun 19, 2001

Being a little nervous about making a mistake will keep safe. It's the cocky nurses who scare me. After all these years, I still double and triple check especially when things are getting hectic. If you feel fragmented, ask another nurse to check with you. Don't ever be afraid of looking inept. As you become more comfortable with your skills - and you will - you will relax and start to have fun. Don't leave nursing now, just when we're going to have some wonderful, probably also painful, changes. Give it a chance. I know you'll be fine.

mustangsheba · Jun 19, 2001

Being a little nervous about making a mistake will keep safe. It's the cocky nurses who scare me. After all these years, I still double and triple check especially when things are getting hectic. If you feel fragmented, ask another nurse to check with you. Don't ever be afraid of looking inept. As you become more comfortable with your skills - and you will - you will relax and start to have fun. Don't leave nursing now, just when we're going to have some wonderful, probably also painful, changes. Give it a chance. I know you'll be fine.

cjp · Jun 21, 2001

I've been a nurse for 20 plus years and I still am nervous. You will be fine. Being nervous will keep you safe and on your toes.

I'm wondering if getting your nursing degree in the states might be better for you. I had a converstaion with one of my patients just today that will be returning to Ireland for the summer. He informs me that Ireland is begging for nurses. So I would have to say it may be to your advantage to get your degree here and practice there. The other thing I might ask is if the degree you earn here will be recognized the country you will be moving back to. It doesn't always work the other way around, nursing degree from foreign country not recognized in the states.

cjp · Jun 21, 2001

I've been a nurse for 20 plus years and I still am nervous. You will be fine. Being nervous will keep you safe and on your toes.

I'm wondering if getting your nursing degree in the states might be better for you. I had a converstaion with one of my patients just today that will be returning to Ireland for the summer. He informs me that Ireland is begging for nurses. So I would have to say it may be to your advantage to get your degree here and practice there. The other thing I might ask is if the degree you earn here will be recognized the country you will be moving back to. It doesn't always work the other way around, nursing degree from foreign country not recognized in the states.

prmenrs, RN · Jun 21, 2001

I think you'll be fine, too. You aren't going to be asked to run right in and give an injection the first day! By the time you get around to doing it, you'll be sooo ready, you'll wonder what the fuss was about. Learn your medications, keep your calculator handy and USE your instructors. That's why they're there. They are your mentors. When you get a job, make sure you are working in a situation where there is a new grad program--a GOOD one--and supportive staff. Ask questions. Relax. Nursing is great, despite all the whining on this board.

About licensure in other countries, I have no clue. If you go to allnurses.com and look for international nursing, you'll probably find what you need. You can write the licensing agency in the country where you're going, and they give you the information you need. I don't think I'd go right from school back home to Europe, tho. At least practice here for a little while. You'll be more confident when you get home.

Good Luck!

prmenrs, RN · Jun 21, 2001

I think you'll be fine, too. You aren't going to be asked to run right in and give an injection the first day! By the time you get around to doing it, you'll be sooo ready, you'll wonder what the fuss was about. Learn your medications, keep your calculator handy and USE your instructors. That's why they're there. They are your mentors. When you get a job, make sure you are working in a situation where there is a new grad program--a GOOD one--and supportive staff. Ask questions. Relax. Nursing is great, despite all the whining on this board.

About licensure in other countries, I have no clue. If you go to allnurses.com and look for international nursing, you'll probably find what you need. You can write the licensing agency in the country where you're going, and they give you the information you need. I don't think I'd go right from school back home to Europe, tho. At least practice here for a little while. You'll be more confident when you get home.

Good Luck!

Gina220 · Jun 22, 2001

Well, as a fairly new grad myself and an new RN I have to say I totally can empathize and to tell you the truth you will make mistakes, we all do, but the fact that you are worried about that is a good thing, it makes you more carefull. I'd worry if you didn't think about that sort of thing! Hopefully you will choose a facuility that will have a good preceptor program so you can have a good role model to guide you. And if all else fails, think about all the things you did in the past that were new to you, riding a bike, starting a new job, whatever! Everyone was new once, and if you stick with it you will succeed! Good luck!

BrandyBSN · Jun 26, 2001

I think that every one of us was nervous when we had to perform our first invasive procedure! I was lucky, my first injection was insulin into a patient that was so used to sticking herself, that she even gave ME a pep talk while i was doing it, i was nervous and she giggled at me and assured me that it didnt hurt and that i would "be a pro" soon :)

i personally think that if you are not nervous the first couple times, then there is something wrong.

I got my first 5 IVs on the first stick, but then on the 6th, froze up, probably because i had become too comfortable with doing it. a little bit of nervousness just makes you cautious, not inept :)

good luck, you will do fine!

Brandy

Senior BSN

Truman State University