Nervous About First Job

[Butterflybee]

Is anyone else nervous at all about starting work as a nurse? We had lousy clinicals and didnt get to do much besides vitals. I did one suctioning, one wound care,give a few pills, give a few shots. For at least 2 clinical semesters all we did was observe. This was not enough in my opinion. We didnt do any charting at all. My main concern are the meds. This is why I dont want to work for an agency, be a school nurse or anything where Im all alone when I first start out. I did great in school (shrugs). I feel like I dont know enough or enough where Im confident. I havent worked in the healthcare field in many years. I dont want to mess up. I want to be a good nurse and on top of my game. I know we all start at the beginning but Im a bit apprehensive. Then when I read all the posts about nurses eating their young etc it makes me want to know exactly what Im doing . Am I alone in this feeling?

[LPNEMSCT]

No you are not alone, I feel the same way and I know others also feel this way. There is no way that we can learn everything that we need to in school, most of our learning will come on the job. You made it through school, that was hard part, now go and become the great nurse that you know you can be.

[AimeeJo RN]

At the end of my LPN program my class had the same concerns. We mentioned this to the dean of the program when she asked how we felt about the program. She said that the purpose of the program is to get us ready to study for the NCLEX. When you go to work you will learn more about being a nurse. You sound like you are headed in the right direction by avoiding jobs where you have more independence at first.

[caringtouch]

The fact that you want to be a good nurse and on top of the game shows that you will be one. "I did great in school"(shrugs)... some people who say that think that is enough and have the attitude that they already know all there is to know. Much of what you will learn will be taught to you on the job.

It is perfectly normal to feel some apprehension, if you didn't then I would be worried.

I'm sure you are going to be a great nurse just like you were a great student.

[Butterflybee]

Thank you for your replies and your support. I hope and pray that I have people that wont mind showing me the ropes. I really do want to be a good nurse.