Am I ever going to get this?

BonewaxRN · Jul 20, 2011

I think that your first year or so is always hell. The good news is that it gets better with time and practice. Everyone can probably relate. Do what you can to relieve your shredded nerves and take care of yourself. You're on your way to being a good nurse.

JB2007, ASN, RN · Jul 20, 2011

Yes you will eventually get it. You have been doing this for only 3 months now, so be kind to youself. Nursing school only gives you the basics and you are expected to fill in the rest throughout the course of your nursing career. You are not suppose to have all of the anwsers and you are expected to ask a lot of questions. There is a lot to learn. I get nervous when a new grad does not ask a lot of questions and seems to have it all together.

I have been a nurse for just over four years now and I still ask a lot of questions. The more experienced nurses just tell me that they are glad that I asked and they are happy to anwser my questions.

Just hold your head up and keep on learning everyday. Eventually, you will find that you are asking fewer questions and you are the person that the new grads come to when they do not know something. Good luck with your new career.

nola1202 · Jul 20, 2011

ditto the above post. I feel for you, learning a new job and feel the same. I think it takes about 6 months for me to feel like I have a clue and at 1 year I realize I know phone numbers and the right dept to call by heart.

Go get a pedicure in one of those massage chairs or splurge on a massage, it makes a huge difference in attitiude...or if that's to girly find something you've always wanted to do but think it's to extravagant

nola1202 · Jul 20, 2011

woops..thought my first message got eaten by the internet zombies

Testa Rosa, RN · Jul 20, 2011

At 7 months in and just as I was starting to feel some sort of flow to my overwhelming 12 hr shifts, I was just audited by the most anal retentive RN on our unit (awesome nurse but with no social life and who is suspected by some to be a bit on the spectrum and touched with OCD so everyone is dreading her audits....and as the new RN on the block I am under the microscope).

I want to be open to the learning she can provide me but after being audited by her I have zero confidence and am feeling like I will always suck. Am so tired of hearing about everything I am doing wrong -- I work too fast, I need to take it slow and be more careful yet I'm not supposed to work any OT and am not supposed to clock out and still keep charting and on and on.....

The humiliation is ongoing and the rewards so few and far between; Feel your pain and am really considering quiting.

K.Rawls · Jul 20, 2011

I have been a nurse since 2003. I started in a very busy and large ER. I went home crying after every shift for the first 9 months!!! And then one day, it just got a little easier. And the next day was even better. Dont get me wrong, we all have bad days and there are still days I want to cry but I promise you will get there!! Keep your chin up and remember, if you can survive nursing school, you can and will make it!! :)

DavidFR, BSN, MSN, RN · Jul 21, 2011

First job is hell. You're not alone.

Don't compare yourself to poeple who've been qualified longer than you. It serves no purpose.

Everybody's nervous and underconfident at first even if they don't always show it. The seemingly hyper-confident new grad is often compensating for inner insecurities.

The second job is heaps better. You've gained confidence and got some core skills behind you - skills that you don't pick up in training but only in the real world of being an RN.

As the years go on you will do the job with more and more ease and confidence. Don't be hard on yourself. Questions are good even if you've been qualified 100 years. They show interest, an inquiring mind and a desire to do the right thing as opposed to just guessing (guessing = dangerous nursing). Slow and thorough is better than speedy and careless.

I bet your colleagues and patients don't think you're half as bad as you do. Press on - it does get heaps better.

blamejoe · Jul 21, 2011

Only thing I would add to all the responders comments, which I wholeheartedly agree with, is this - when someone is only speaking about the things you do wrong, calmly say, "I appreciate your input, but please understand that for me, this is easier to take if you can at least point out some of the good things I am doing also." I have said this to bosses, co-workers, peers outside of work, friends, partners, etc. It is a good rule of thumb to keep in mind for everyone, and when the time comes for you to be offering feedback to anyone else, also make sure you include the good with the not-so-good.

Best wishes.

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Jul 21, 2011

Nursing school gives you the basics, but no real life experience. (the students I had follow my nurses into the room during my leukemia admissions didn't even DO anything but follow- that was weird)... it takes a long time to put it all together, and there will always be patients who have some combination of diagnoses that throw you another wrench.

If you stop learning, THEN throw in the towel- you're done...:) 3 months is like the length of a fart in the overall life of a nurse- ... (though I'm sure it feels like a prolonged food poisoning at this point!!).

You'll get it! It takes everybody time, and then there's just more to learn (one reason why I like nursing- there's always more to discover).

sandanrnstudent · Jul 21, 2011

Though I don't have any advice on the nursing end of the spectrum, I am getting ready to enter into a nursing program this fall. Let it be said that I personally look up to you. All the others that have the very same thoughts you are having further back on the path (still in school) look up to you as well. You are held in high esteem by all of us who are trying to get where you are!

Take a moment of time to mentor the "little ones" of us in the student or even the pre-nursing sections of this forum and I bet that will lift your spirits to reflect on just how far you've come. I admire your tenacity to have made it this far, and I know you can make it further. Keep the faith and sometimes, just roll up the windows on your car, blare the music and scream! (You'll feel waaaaay better than the person sitting in the car next to you at that given traffic light! PROMISE!)

bear hugs if you're willing to accept them,

sandanrn

crb613, BSN, RN · Jul 21, 2011

I think every nurse has felt like you do now....its not easy, but you will get it! Make yourself cheat sheets, use every reference, help you can find....learning, and studying does not stop at graduation. If you can find a seasoned nurse that is willing to help/guide you.... that is your ace in the hole! Look up everything you don't understand, and ask questions. Also give yourself a break all this takes time....don't put unreal expectations or pressure on yourself. You seem like you want to succeed....and so you will! Deep breath...take one day at a time. Before you know it you will be an old pro!....then remember how it felt to be a new nurse, and help someone out when you can!:)