Am I alone?

limonada · Jan 2, 2010

NO you are not alone!! I feel the same way...I think it is probably just because we are new...I am always second guessing myself. Even though I did really really well in school, when I am actually at work, I still feel very unsure of everything. I feel like an idiot all the time. But I think we need to just hang in there and it will get better. And about the straight cath issue you had-don't worry about it. It's probably like anything else-of course you might have a hard time your first few times, but after a little practice, you will be able to do it easily. I just started my first job 2 weeks ago and I can't even imagine how I am ever going to be able to really be good at this. There is so much that I didn't do in school, (like inserting catheters for example) I have no idea what's going to happen when I have to actually do it. But hopefully it's the same as learning any other new thing. The first few times I took a BP I could not get it, it just took practice and then I was fine. I feel extremely nervous every day, and I feel like an idiot all day at work. BUT we have to remember that we are brand new. Of course we can't know everything and be good at everything. It takes practice. Try to be confident. And I think the nurse educator really is trying to help you. Maybe you should just try another shift...hang in there, I know it's hard now, but most people I talk to say they were extremely overwhelmed at first, it just took time to get the hang of things. Good luck!! :mad:

SanDgroovy · Jan 2, 2010

I graduated Dec 08 and got my license in March 09, and still feel like a "new grad" on nights that I administer medications that I've never given (drips) or have orders for procedures I've never done (back then, it was access a port for a sickle cell pt, irrigate a Foley, apply plaster splint). I've started thousands of IVs and still miss sometimes. Don't beat yourself up, you are still in learning mode! Always ask for help if needed!

It seems like the nurse educator was helping. Many Charge RNs still look after us "new grads" every now & then, and will bring to our attention if they see an error or suggest an alternative if we are making things harder for ourselves, I am thankful for it because I feel like it helps me learn and grow in this crucial 1st year. If she is with you again, take the opportunity to ask for feedback, suggestions, and ask for clarification if you need help with any policy/procedure. I started on nights and I think it helped me b/c it is a slightly slower shift which helped with my time management and when it got really slow, I had time to review meds, learn procedures, etc. This helped my confidence a lot.

A few months ago, when I was struggling mentally & HATED nursing, there were a few mind tricks I played on myself that helped:

1. Have a goal for each week. (1 week, I reviewed cardiac meds; 2nd week was stocking my rooms before the shift, etc.)

2. Keep a positive outlook. (at 1st, it was reminding myself I had a job as a nurse & I can pay the bills. Now I asm glad I have this job due to meeting awesome staff)

3. I think of each shift as an opportunity to gain as much knowledge and skill as I possibly can. If I look for a new job next year, I will have experience and feel confident to take on a new job.

4. I drilled into my brain "ALWAYS remain calm & collected" for the entire shift, even if I have to fake it!

Maybe there are some techniques you can develop for yourself! Best of luck to you. Hang in there, it gets better.

1uvakindmom · Jan 2, 2010

Thanks so much for your words od encouragement. It helps to know I am not alone. The nurse educator is having a nurse from another floor go around with me Monday to see if she can give me pointers. I need to keep my head up.

suet yee · Jan 3, 2010

don't be so sad. u will become "bigger and stronger" one day. no, no. i mean " smarter and faster". actually i also new in nursing, just 1 year experience.

i not agreed that u say previously u are good in study and clinical. i can tell u that u are wrong. student and srn are total different. student u can do mistake and no need to do incident report. but when u become a staff, not only incident report, letter from lawyer more terribe.

now, not the time u feel upset, u should improve urself, work heard and learn heard. no need to feel shy to ask the senior staff, may be some of them like to bully. then prove to ur superior their judgement are wrong!!

take a deep breath and go forward!!

don't cry again in hosp. people will only laugh at u.

studentnurse2175 · Jan 5, 2010

i am also a new rn. i still have around four days of orientation left then i will be on my own. i'm terrified. i signed off an order yesterday but did not transcribe it to the mar. i don't know how i could have been so stupid. especially considering that i was a lpn at a psych facility for over a year. writing off orders is something usually do without thinking.

my preceptor brought it to my attention and the nurse supervisor overheard her and reminded me, very nicely though, that med errors is why they get sued. it's like, when i'm at work i have tunnel vision. i focused on one task at the exclusion of all else. i need to learn to encompass all my patients, 6, at all times. know what all there important labs are, know when they are going to procedures and what the purpose of the procedure is and remember to look up the results when they come back. know if they are eating & pooping and if not why not. know who has picc's lines and who has foleys and colostomy bags to empty. know all this by 8 am when you start at 7 am when the doctor come up and expects you to be completely knowledgeable about your patient because all he other nurses know this stuff.

i look back to three weeks ago when i thought giving iv meds would be my greatest challenge and laugh. my greatest challenge is being the patient manager. to know everything that is going on with this patient and the resource person for everyone else: doctors, respiratory, case managers, physical therapy, families, pharmacy, dietician, lab and the patients also. to keep up with my seven page for each patient charting, whilst still keeping up with the constant inflow of new orders that need to be done five minutes ago. the discharges, the new admits and all the additional paperwork that involves.

it is very easy to be overwhelmed. i feel stupid all the time. nursing is a big job. outsiders don't realize what a big job it is. i would love to be a dietician and only worry about there food intake or respiratory and only worry about there breathing. but i'm a nurse and i have to worry about everything.

with all that said. i love my job. i love being responsible for the care and well being of my patients. i love making a difference in some life everyday. i just wish i could skip the learning curve and the nurse i know am i capable of being without the up hill labor of getting there.