I am about to graduate and I feel like I know nothing!

[lakencassady]

The title pretty much says it all. I am graduating in June and I feel like I know nothig , I feel so incompetent. Is it normal to feel this way?

[laKrugRN]

Oh do not worry! I think we all feel this way. It's called being overwhelmed cause nursing school stretches your sanity! haha. But trust me, I am almost done with school and when I am reviewing for NCLEX, it all comes back to me. You know more than you think...trust me!

[rubato, ASN, RN]

I also am about to graduate and feel like I know nothing. I am an honors student, class rep, blah, blah, blah. I am struggling with any confidence at all right now. Apparently, perfectly normal.

[iPink, BSN, RN]

You're going to really feel like you don't know anything once you start orientation. You might even question how you passed nursing school and the NCLEX, but guess what it's normal. Things will come back to you and you will gain confidence. It will come with time and patience. Save your textbooks/notes as references.

Right now, enjoy the last weeks of nursing school and study hard for that NCLEX. Wish you the best.

[rachmari]

My last day of clinical is April 28. I graduate May 8th. Just this afternoon I was questioning if I can handle being an RN because I could barely keep up with the three patients I had today. I have also had a few bad experiences with family members that have really wrecked my confidence. I am scared to death to be in the real world and have no idea what I got myself into.

[MedicalPartisan]

There isn't a graduate nurse I know that hasn't said this, lol. As hard as it may be to accept, it is normal. Experienced nurses will tell you that you learning nothing (in the grand scheme of things) in nursing school compared to when you start working. As you begin to nurse, you will see and experience situations that link with material you previously learned and it will click.

[jewel53]

Take it from an RN who has been in the field for many years -- Your level of confidence and overall knowledge will increase with time. However, please appreciate the fact that you will never be a nursing "know it all". The worst mistake one can make as a new grad is to fail to recognize what he/she doesn't know and fail to ask for assistance. Typically, it is easier for RN co workers to "forgive" a lack of knowledge as opposed to "forgiveness" of a subsequent patient care error that could take place simply because the inexperienced RN did not ask for input from experienced RN co workers. Should an RN coworker try to "blow off" addressing of your question, move on to someone else for help. Believe me, the majority of experienced RNs WANT to see you succeed!

[jewel53]

At this point, "keeping up" may well be related to a need for learning organization and prioritization of tasks related to the care needs of each patient. This is something that must come with time, experience and patience. Virtually all RNs have had days when we felt bombarded and spent the entire shift in repeated and (seemingly unsuccessful) attempts to "put out fires" rather than providing quality care. I am unaware of the specifics pertaining to your difficulties with family members. However, I would offer a couple of insights - Remember each family member brings his/her "baggage" (issues) along with him/her when visiting a hospitalized loved one. Some family members have a great deal of difficulty in relinquishing "control" of their loved one to an unknown person, namely you, the nurse. May a patient, understanding heart be yours as you begin your RN career! Be encouraged!

[MedicalPartisan]

However, please appreciate the fact that you will never be a nursing "know it all".

Hence the phrase, 'practicing medicine'.