Need an entire nursing refresher...

[lindseyp2012]

Hi everyone! I'm a new grad, have been working in a medical-surgical ICU for about 4 months (without a preceptor) now. I was lucky enough to get a tech job in this same unit for about a year before I graduated, and most of that time was used as extra orientation! So I feel really lucky that I had that extra learning time!

However... I still feel like I have absolutely NO IDEA about certain things that I really NEED to know! Mostly pertaining to meds and lab values. I have started to develop a good intuition about the actual patient, and my skills are improving a lot! But I can't always explain to family members the physiological aspect of the conditions, and I have a lot of trouble deciding what I think is going wrong... most times, I know SOMETHING is wrong, but I can never figure out exactly what... I really WANT to be good at my job! But right now, I'm reaching a point where I dread going into work every day...

So my question is, does anyone know of any programs that go over the actual important parts of nursing that would help? Like a podcast, workbook, textbook, online program... anything! I loved the New Nurse Podcast, she explained a lot of things on a basic level that helped me apply the information. But she didn't do many podcasts, and I need more!

I thought about going back through my nursing school syllabi (I still have most of the text books) but don't know if I'll be able to pick out what is actually important to me right now.

Sorry for the long, whiny post! Ha.. Any ideas?! Thanks

[Ioreth, ADN, RN]

One of my friends who is a Med Surg floor manager recently told me that 6 months after starting my first nursing job I will realize that I know nothing and wonder what I have done with all that money spent on nursing school. She then emphasized that every nurse does this, and it takes a while before you are comfortable with your new job. Unfortunately, I have no wisdom of my own to offer, nor do I have any suggestions on how to gain whatever knowledge you feel you lack. Just remember my friend's words and know that in a few more months these things will come easier to you.

[Julius Seizure]

It takes time. You are in the same boat as every other new grad, don't worry. :)

If you want to brush up on some physiology/patho, I highly recommend the Khan academy videos that are free online.

[adventure_rn, MSN, NP]

Perhaps you could consider taking a specialty certification 'review course,' either in person or through a series of online modules. They tend to be thorough yet concise, plus you will receive continuing education credits. Even though it's geared toward experienced nurses preparing for certification, you may find that it would help you get a strong foundation in ICU and see the big picture. Unfortunately, they are fairly expensive, and most online modules probably aren't as entertaining as a podcast (however, when I took my in-person NICU specialty certification review course, my instructor was hilarious). You could also start reading through certification prep books, although that may be even more tedious than doing review course modules.

Here's the AACN website link to suggested review courses (I've never actually taken them, so I can't speak to their usefulness):

https://www.aacn.org/certification/preparation-tools-and-handbooks/review-courses

As loreth said, the feelings you describe are fairly universal for new grad nurses. It takes a couple of years to start to feel confident in your knowledge base and skills. Most nursing students are used to being high achievers, and it is frustrating and stressful to feel incompetent (especially when people's lives are at stake). The best things you can do are to recognize your areas for improvement and be open to learning; from the sound of your post, you're already doing both of those things. Keep at it and you'll get there.