A normal New Grad

tokmom, BSN, RN · May 13, 2011

Congrats on seeing the RN behind your name!

It goes to show you that with a certain amount of passion, you can achieve your dreams.

That's all it takes to be a great nurse. Not a math whiz, but that passion. That is what keeps you coming back day after day. Shift after short staffed shift and holiday after holiday.

We need more people like you. :)

Five&Two Will Do · May 13, 2011

I just wanted to say that I'm so happy I signed up for this site! I have learned that I am a normal new grad. All my stress and fear is normal. After reading many posts about new grads at their first job, I feel I am right where I need to be. Before, I was freaking out and thinking maybe I'm too stupid to be a nurse. Now I know this is truly a normal feeling and in time, I will transition from this place to being more confident and comfortable. I've only been on my job in oncology for four days now and I love it. It's a lot of work and very stressful but I have dreamed of becoming a nurse since waaay back and now that I'm finally here brings me more joy than ever. Sometimes I just stare at my badge and I'm in awe because it says my name RN. Thats pretty darn cool.
My back story is that I grew up honestly believing I had a learning disorder and that I could never attempt anything "hard". I was never good at math and always thought that since I didn't know my multiplication tables by heart, I was stupid. The only thing I was good at was writing. So I thought when I graduated high school, that I wanted to be an editor of some sort. I found out quickly reporting was involved and I hate reporting so I quit that. When I became a CNA and worked in a nursing home, I knew I found a fit. I loved working with the patients and I hated seeing other CNA's or RN's being cruel to the residents so I thought to myself "man they need a person like me". I didn't believe much in myself and I had a really hard time with every class because every class I took, I thought I was too stupid to understand it. Over the years and a slew of B grades I made it into nursing school where I continued to do very well scoring A's and B's but mostly B's. I still thought I was stupid. How stupid. After graduating I passed my boards on the first try and the success keeps coming. I'm registered to get my BSN this fall semester and things are going so great. Looking back at where I came from, it truly is a blessing and I am in awe many times that although I wasn't the smartest cookie in the jar and I wasn't the straight A student, I didn't come from highly educated parents and I'm still successful. That just amazes me and the fact that I am a normal new grad eases my soul as well.

Congratulations to you and how much better off your patients are to have someone that is innursing for more than just job security and a paycheck! I love oncology. Those patients need a compassionate loving nurse to care for them properly. I also felt like I was kinda stupid in school. Some people just seemed to grasp the material more quickly than I did, but when it came to clinical hands on application they were somewhat lost and I was right at home. Good for you for continuing with your education. Just give yourself time and know that your confidence will grow and everything will be alright:yeah:

greenfiremajick · May 13, 2011

You're awesome! But just so you know...All my friends are definitely NOT normal, as we all think "normal" is boring...So never worry about whether you're normal...You be true to who you are! :yeah: :redbeathe

I just wanted to say that I'm so happy I signed up for this site! I have learned that I am a normal new grad. All my stress and fear is normal. After reading many posts about new grads at their first job, I feel I am right where I need to be. Before, I was freaking out and thinking maybe I'm too stupid to be a nurse. Now I know this is truly a normal feeling and in time, I will transition from this place to being more confident and comfortable. I've only been on my job in oncology for four days now and I love it. It's a lot of work and very stressful but I have dreamed of becoming a nurse since waaay back and now that I'm finally here brings me more joy than ever. Sometimes I just stare at my badge and I'm in awe because it says my name RN. Thats pretty darn cool.
My back story is that I grew up honestly believing I had a learning disorder and that I could never attempt anything "hard". I was never good at math and always thought that since I didn't know my multiplication tables by heart, I was stupid. The only thing I was good at was writing. So I thought when I graduated high school, that I wanted to be an editor of some sort. I found out quickly reporting was involved and I hate reporting so I quit that. When I became a CNA and worked in a nursing home, I knew I found a fit. I loved working with the patients and I hated seeing other CNA's or RN's being cruel to the residents so I thought to myself "man they need a person like me". I didn't believe much in myself and I had a really hard time with every class because every class I took, I thought I was too stupid to understand it. Over the years and a slew of B grades I made it into nursing school where I continued to do very well scoring A's and B's but mostly B's. I still thought I was stupid. How stupid. After graduating I passed my boards on the first try and the success keeps coming. I'm registered to get my BSN this fall semester and things are going so great. Looking back at where I came from, it truly is a blessing and I am in awe many times that although I wasn't the smartest cookie in the jar and I wasn't the straight A student, I didn't come from highly educated parents and I'm still successful. That just amazes me and the fact that I am a normal new grad eases my soul as well.

AngelicDarkness · May 13, 2011

I just wanted to say that I'm so happy I signed up for this site! I have learned that I am a normal new grad. All my stress and fear is normal. After reading many posts about new grads at their first job, I feel I am right where I need to be. Before, I was freaking out and thinking maybe I'm too stupid to be a nurse. Now I know this is truly a normal feeling and in time, I will transition from this place to being more confident and comfortable. I've only been on my job in oncology for four days now and I love it. It's a lot of work and very stressful but I have dreamed of becoming a nurse since waaay back and now that I'm finally here brings me more joy than ever. Sometimes I just stare at my badge and I'm in awe because it says my name RN. Thats pretty darn cool.
My back story is that I grew up honestly believing I had a learning disorder and that I could never attempt anything "hard". I was never good at math and always thought that since I didn't know my multiplication tables by heart, I was stupid. The only thing I was good at was writing. So I thought when I graduated high school, that I wanted to be an editor of some sort. I found out quickly reporting was involved and I hate reporting so I quit that. When I became a CNA and worked in a nursing home, I knew I found a fit. I loved working with the patients and I hated seeing other CNA's or RN's being cruel to the residents so I thought to myself "man they need a person like me". I didn't believe much in myself and I had a really hard time with every class because every class I took, I thought I was too stupid to understand it. Over the years and a slew of B grades I made it into nursing school where I continued to do very well scoring A's and B's but mostly B's. I still thought I was stupid. How stupid. After graduating I passed my boards on the first try and the success keeps coming. I'm registered to get my BSN this fall semester and things are going so great. Looking back at where I came from, it truly is a blessing and I am in awe many times that although I wasn't the smartest cookie in the jar and I wasn't the straight A student, I didn't come from highly educated parents and I'm still successful. That just amazes me and the fact that I am a normal new grad eases my soul as well.

:heartbeat It only gets better from here. I'm glad to see I'm a normal new grad as well. Thank goodness for a site like this to share some humor in everyone's starting point:)

MyMystudentRN · May 13, 2011

congratulations!!! :yeah: believe me i kno exactly how u feel. while in school i was the student who was always so close in failing if i had missed just one more question i wouldve failed most of my tests! i was never a good test taker and was always borderline with my grades BUT i am excellent with bedside manner! (not bragging) id rather sit with a patient and talk with them in their rooms than sit at a desk and talk wit patients over the phone. Then when the students that were passing their test with flying colors, A's everytime started coming to me to help them with their patients i was on cloud 9. I like the fact that somebody could come to me and ask me for help! what can i say we all have our own skills at different things we jus cant give up trying to find what they are.

Coulter630 · May 13, 2011

Wow, what a story. Your words are very encouraging, b/c I often think myself this way. I never thought I could become a nurse, the only thing that has ever interested me! I dropped out of highschool and got my GED due to multiple personal and family issues. In the state I was living in, there was nothing for me but bad influences and thinking back...I wonder why it took me so long to get out! lol After moving to a different state, I started a new life, new family, got married have been in school since 06 (first for CMA) and now I will be finished the ADN program in December. I am also taking pre reqs for my BSN and only have 4 classes left for that. Hopefully one semester after pinning, I will be able to get accepted into BSN program.

Talking to the nurses I've encountered in clinical, it is totally normal to be feeling the way you are. I've asked SEVERAL different nurse how they felt after graduating and starting their career and I got all very similar responses. The most common thing I've heard was "they just don't throw you to the dogs, you will be trained".....for most places anyway. So that's the upside to it!

Congrats on your success and I wish the absolute best in the future. I always say "If I can do it, ANYONE CAN!" I guess that comes with my feelings of insecurity, if that's the right word. :)

senseiRN · May 19, 2011

Congratulations hotscrubs!!