Anyone else feel the same way??

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Hi everyone, I need to vent/get advice, I've been an LPN for four years and will be an RN this year (excelsior lpn-rn). Extremely excited!, but lately I've been stressing and feeling like there is so much to know as a nurse and one minute I hear/see one thing and the next another. For example, some nurses wear gloves for certain skills and some don't, I see some aspirate for IM injections and some don't, I recently got an IM in the deltoid and I thought for IMs skin is held taut, but she squeezed it. Am I too concerned with others ways or what? Maybe I lack confidence too. I've only worked in an oral surgeons office as an LPN and want to work hospital as RN and feel intimidated I guess.

I just LOVE nursing and know I will be learning the rest of my career which is awesome and want to be the best I can be, so perhaps my anxiety is in full force right now!

Please tell me I'm not alone!

Thank you whoever reads this and I welcome any comments, advice, etc. :uhoh3:

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Specializes in home health, LTC, assisted living.

You need to know 'textbook' procedures, theories, etc. What happens when you get out is called 'the real world'. Think textbook and you will do fine. Bridging from LPN to RN is a big change!

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

It sounds to me like those differences you see are between individuals and not because the technique for giving an injection or wearing gloves depends on what type of license you have. It might be interesting to ask them why they do something a certain way. For school though always go by the book for procedures. Congrats on getting your RN! :up:

And yes, anxiety is normal! Here is a really good article on the subject written by one of our Staff members here:

I'm Freaking Out and Frantic! Please, Help Me!

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/im-freaking-out-652691.html

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Great article thank you!

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I am also an LPN -RN student and completely feel the same way. I left LPN school thinking I had everything down pretty well but since being in my clinicals I am more confused than ever! It's nice to know I am not the only one who feels that way

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Thanks for commenting mols1285...we will get there! I'm learning to separate 'real world' from what I've learned, know, and what it RIGHT and SAFE. Good luck in your schooling and career :nurse:

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Sounds like some nurses have developed poor habits and others are not knowledgeable. Follow your gut and what you've been taught.

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keep your text books! this is almost the end of my first year as an lpn doing home health and wound care... there are many times in my practice that i just feel that my brain didnt absorb enough in school and i graduated with a 4.0. i often use my text books as references while i am in between patients if i have a question about proper procedure.

as for becoming an rn - its scary. it was scary becoming an lpn. there is so much responsibility and just a few ways to do something right yet a billion ways to mess it up. just keep going. its scary as heck - but with reliable references and humility in admitting when you are in too deep - you will rock!

ps - i personally feel that those of us that stress about doing everything right, and do extra research to affirm that its right are some of the best nurses. if we didnt care - we wouldnt worry. dont ever ever lose that worry. but do remember that you got this and even during times when you might not have it - that you will have a great team to help you get through it. best of luck!

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PS - in nursing school I had a teacher explain to me that as we get older we should refer to our books and any new knowledge we gain and keep our books and any hard copies from CEUs. The rationale - if we get sued and go to court we can bring our text book/CEU materials (assuming its not crazy out of date) and show as evidence that we did the procedure as taught in school. (Also assuming we documented what we did very well)

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Thanks MommaNurse for the advice :yeah:

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thanks msgm, agreed!

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