Am I Stupid??

nrsang97, BSN, RN · May 15, 2008

You are a brand new nurse. It will take at least a year to feel comfortable. I think nursing homes place too much demand on experienced nurses let alone a brand new grad.

I don't know how you guys do it in LTC being responsilbe for that many patients.

I have no idea what goes into having 30 residents in LTC as a nurse, but I do remember when I was a aide at a local nursing home that nurses had about that many patinets each. I know it is not the same as in the hospital, doing assessments and all, but stressful none the less.

Just remember the pt that was crashing wasn't your fault.

Remember that you will gain confidence over time. Remember that you aren't stupid, but are still learning. Nursing school didn't teach you everything. Read the thread about what wasn't taught in nursing school. It will make you feel better. Spend some time in the first year of nursing forum too. Those nurses are going through the exact same thing you are right now.

If you hate going to work every day then maybe you want to try working somewhere else. I do recommend a year in med surg to hone your skills. After that your skills will help you in anytype of nursing. New grads have more support in the hospital too. You will have someone with you at least for 6-8 weeks.

You will be a good nurse. Remember the only stupid question is the one that isn't asked.

Good luck to you.

Dolce, RN · May 15, 2008

No, you're not stupid. You are a new grad! It is normal to feel completely helpless and inadequate the first year of nursing. The best thing you can do for yourself at this point is to make daily study a habit. When you hear of a new diagnosis go home and read up on it. Look up common drugs at home. Memorize common lab values. Now that you have graduated the real education takes place! Another good idea is to find a few more experienced nurses who you can go to for advise and council. I'm sure the nurses who worked with me as a new grad must have thought I was a real dummy (oh, well. I don't work with them anymore).

Another thought, 30 residents is A LOT. Unfortunately, however, this is not uncommon for LTC. If you believe you are unsafe you may want to consider applying for new grad positions at a hospital.

Cheer up--you are not dumb. You know much more than you even realize. You wouldn't have passed the NCLEX if you were stupid.

lovingtheunloved, ASN, RN · May 15, 2008

Oh, preach it. I'm a LTC nurse too. My first day on my own, I'd had a license for literally five days, and made a doozie of a med error, (thankfully, the pt was fine,) two crashed and the doctors wouldn't call me back, and I had to discharge a man with an evil wife who threatened me because we lost a shirt.

So we all feel like idiots at the beginning. If you don't know, ask. Even the most seasoned nurses make mistakes. I learned far more in the first 3 months as a nurse than I did the whole first year of nursing school.

Dolce, RN · May 15, 2008

I learned far more in the first 3 months as a nurse than I did the whole first year of nursing school.

Isn't that the truth!

catnip · May 15, 2008

Take care hon, i also started out as a new grad in LTC with 30 residents, and every day i went in terrified, but i knew that this was where i wanted to be. Every one reasured me that it would take time to find my footing, and now, 10 months later, i realize they were right. I do still have days where i feel like i have a dunce cap on, but more often than not i know that i am in the right place. If this is where you are ment to be you will find a way. :redbeathe

iwanna · May 15, 2008

Stressin04,

I believe everyone feels like that in the beginning. The pt. load in nursing homes is ridiculous. I know they say to get a year of med-surg, but in my area, the hospital wants "experienced nurses". I feel like a new nurse, myself. Although, I got my license in 1997, I haven't worked much in bedside nursing. Actually, I bailed out of nursing home after working PT for just two months. I was too exhausted on my days off. Also, I was extremely overwhelmed.

Then, my history is mainly in behavioral health. I have been out of work for four years due to health reasons. I have been on disability. I am now seeking a nursing position. I still have a chronic illness. I wanted to try something different besides psych nursing. In fact, I applied at a nursing home to obtain some nursing skills. However, I believe the place I applied to may have wanted someone experienced. At this point, it really doesn't matter. I decided that my heart just isn't into LTC. I love geri pts., however, I believe that nursing in LTC is too physically demanding. I don't understand the nurse:pt. ratio in nursing homes.

But, you are not stupid. I know that my school did not prepare me for clinicals when I graduated. Many nursing schools don't have externships in their curriculum, and I believe everyone should have them. Nursing students would feel more confident on that first job. But, hang in there, I am sure that you will be just fine. Congratulations on getting job! :yeah:

estherojin · May 15, 2008

no, you're not stupid. it takes an intelligent person to know what they don't know. it's those people who are overconfident of their skills and knowledge that are the most dangerous people to our profession. i know it's overwhelming, it'll get better. just hang in there and try to walk away from each day learnining at least one solid lesson.