All good things must come to an end!?

[RN_by_day]

I recently graduated from Rn school in September and started my first official Job mid-January. Prior to becoming a RN I was a LPN for 4 years. I should mention i had no hosoital exoerience, just nursing home & doctors office which both are totally different from the hospital. So I'm on my last week of orientation but I still feel like there is still so much I dont know. I feel like my preceptor is good (although I really dnt have anyone to compare her to).

Is this feeling normal? I don't want to be taken off orientation & then held accountable for something I'm not familiar with. I'm pretty much by myself now but I just feel comfortable knowing that my preceptor is right there if I need anything. I also don't know if I should ask for more time on orientation as I don't want to come across as not having confidence in myself either. My manager keeps saying, I'm ready but I can't help but feel like she's just saying that so the unit won't be as under staffed, so....

[brithoover]

You are never going to feel like you know everything. You could be 10 years in and come across a procedure or diagnosis you aren't familiar with. You just need to ask questions if you are unfamiliar. There must be a few nurses on your unit you would be comfortable going to

[RN_by_day]

There are nurses I can go to, I guess the bottom line is I'm just nervous

[nursefrances, BSN, RN]

I received the best advice from my Nurse Manager at my first nursing job as a new grad. She told me that she knew I was new and I would not know everything (no one does). She wanted me to be aware....sometimes you know something just doesn't seem right, don't ignore that gut feeling. Go to another nurse or your charge and let them know. Something doesn't seem right, can you check with me? When she told me this, it took a little bit of stress away. Like I already said, no one knows everything. And with time, you will realize you might know a lot more about certain things than other nurses and they may know about something else. Work well as a team player and help each other. This will prove valuable as you keep working with your coworkers.

Good luck to you.

Sorry if this sounds like gibberish, just got off work and I'm tired.

[Altra, BSN, RN]

Some of the best advice I received as a new grad: "It will take you a year to figure out what you're doing, 2-3 to really be competent, and 5 to feel like you can handle anything that comes in the door."

[nrsang97, BSN, RN]

Altra is right. Don't be afraid to go to a more experienced nurse to get help. Even nurses with experience bounce things off each other.

[elprup, BSN, RN]

If you have nurses you can go to, do it! Be grateful! Because many new grads sadly, do not have that. You can do it!

[dandk1997RN, MSN, RN]

I felt like I didn't know anything when I was on my own as a new nurse. At almost a year out, I'm still new, but my mantra to newer nurses? It will get better. There was TONS of stuff I still hadn't done when I was finished with orientation because the opportunity just hadn't presented itself. Look up your procedures and then ask someone to talk you through it at the bedside (if the pt will be okay with it- otherwise ask them to do it with you observing. )

Just know when you are starting to get in over your head and get help when you need it. If you think you need to call a rapid response, do it. Utilize your charge nurse. Ask questions of your colleagues. Watch and participate in whatever you can for the experience. And don't forget:

It will get better!

[nnancy627]

All things come to an end- not just good things. Just wanted to get your mind in that thought train...

"This too shall pass", Mom always said.