Am I cut out for this????

[Nikki0727]

I've always wanted to be a nurse. Nothing higher because I like spending time with my patients and residents. I went into school and struggled. I didn't think I would ever pass. But as determined as I am I passed. And I passed boards...second time around. I also struggled to find a job. It seemed no one was hiring LPN's. But I found a day shift job..good pay..and lots of overtime! Perfect!

but because I'm a "new"nurse im struggling. Like the lung sounds....I hear completely different from what my coworkers hear. Documentation...I need to go more in depth I was told. Med error because I ordered meds but i didn't notify the pharmacy that it was no refills left(which I didn't know) so they didn't get refilled over the weekend....

i truly like my job..I like the people I work with. I'm passionate about being a nurse but I'm feeling like with my screw ups it's not for me 

[RN403, BSN, RN]

You're a new nurse... You're going to screw up. Take your mistakes and learn from them. Implement steps to prevent them from happening again.

Lung sounds...the more you listen the more you listen the better you will get at understanding what you are hearing. Try asking your co workers what they heard and how they know that's what they heard. Make sure you have a quality stethoscope as well. That was a big issue for me when I first started. Couldn't hear squat!

Best wishes.

[anh06005, MSN, APRN, NP]

Yes stethoscope can make a big difference. There's lots of threads about them so search the site. Also youtube can help if you search for lung sounds. I've been listening to murmurs on there lately.

And when you're new at anything you're bound to mess up. With nursing it is a little scarier because it's dealing with patients lives but so much of nursing is learned through EXPERIENCE not school. I've been a nurse 4.5 years now and if I had to estimate how much I know I learned in school vs how much I know from experience it'd be maybe 20:80.

Give yourself a break, ask questions, and know that it'll get better. We all hate making mistakes but we all do it. Unfortunately we are human.

[RschIVF40]

I agree with RN403 and anh06005..I would also see about finding, perhaps, a senior RN and ask to "buddy up" / partner with that RN to get some additional on-the-job tips that this RN has learned throughout the years. Review that RN's charting may help you see what charting deficiencies you may be missing... Also, depending on where you work, some places (i.e. larger hospitals), often have RN educators as well for the RN staff. If your clinic / hospital has an RN educator on staff, you may ask to meet with that individual for some additional one-on-one coaching..

Best Wishes!