Anyone else feel like they don't know anything?

[ornurse25]

I have been a nurse for 7 years and i don't remember things that i learned in nursing school! I don't remember details about the clotting cascade and other stuff like that. i would like to think i'm a competent nurse but right now i'm feeling like an idiot. Has anyone else felt like they don't know anything? Thank you for your responses!

[AgentBeast, MSN, RN]

I've said it before: The day you show up for work in this profession and think you know everything is the day you should hang it up. With anything to old adage "Use it or lose it" applies. I took a year of Biological Chemistry, but I'll be damned if I can remember any of it. Since it's been over ten years and I don't use any of it. Sure I remember hearing about the Krebs cycle and the Urea Cycle, but I'll be damned if I could tell you all the intermediaries and all that jazz. The same likely applies to you.

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

I just graduated and I'm studying for NCLEX like crazy. Believe me, there are some days that I don't feel like I know anything either. You're not alone...

[Sun0408, ASN, RN]

Just about every shift for one thing or another.. I may not understand everything or remember everything but I KNOW when something is wrong or off. Then I start asking questions :)

[JustEnuff2BDangerous, BSN, RN]

That's why we have Google. :)

[ijuanabhappy, ASN, RN]

All the time.... I graduated a year ago but have not had a hospital job to use what I learned. Feel like I have forgotten everything. I'm thinking about pulling out the box of all of my power points from school and start studying again!

[chevyv, BSN, RN]

Yep, everyday and I've only been a rn for just over a year. Lol

[whichone'spink, BSN, RN]

Seems that everything I've learnt has blended in with what I'm learning now. But I'll be damned if you ask me about the Krebs cycle, or how to balance a chemical equation. I just need a little refresher, then I'll be alright.

[DLS_PMHNP, MSN, RN, NP]

I'm pretty good with "knowing what I DON'T know.." if that makes sense.

[demylenated, BSN, RN]

It depends on your setting as well. I am going back to RN school and doing the transition program. I am worried (kinda) just because I've been in a clinical setting forever. The only "skill" I do is draw blood and start IVs every. single. day! I know all about the IV stuff and blood draws, but have not started a cath, done wound care or "clinical stuff" in a LOOOOONG time.

The only other thing is I use a LOT of critical thinking skills as I am the ONLY nurse there... so I do the job of a lot of different positions.

But, I've heard it is like riding a bike. I'm confident it is in there somewhere and I will be able to recall it quickly when I need it... We have to have that confidence.

Even when I was a floor nurse, I learned something new EVERY SINGLE DAY!!! And LOVED that I did. You are a competent nurse (I'm sure), but the human body is a mysterious thing. Even scientists and DRs learn things every day! Use your coworkers as well, as sounding boards. Have books available to use. Write things down to look up later.

The only thing I am REALLY WORRIED about is care-plans. I've not written one in 10 years. THAT is a big deal... LOL

[Brea LPN]

I feel like experience makes you lose some of the book knowledge and gain real world knowledge.

It's nice when I hear or see something at work and I say to myself "Oh, I remember learning that in school." It's like you learn something and you kind of forget about it until something reminds you of it.

[N.U.R.S.E.]

Had to buy books from amazon just to remember clinical skill since I didn't use those skills in home health much also bought cdroms anything I want to learn I invest to build up my own personal library so I can refresh at my leisure some say the internet too but its something about investing in myself that builds my confidence in order to better care for my residents and pts that I love if u buy you will use it and besides in nursing things change all the time