Anyone else horrified by actually being in practice???

k.morris · Jul 15, 2009

I def feel the same way, just got my RN, looking for a job and I am very scared, only problem is that I can't find a job. As soon as I even get an interview I know I will be very nervous. You are def not alone!

CharleeJo.RN · Jul 16, 2009

No kidding, it seems like everywhere I go they either just got done hiring, only have per diem positions, or won't hire you til you're certified (and getting seated for NCLEX can take some time, so I hear)...not a good time to live in a small town! Good luck job hunting :wink2: But, I hope our fears of practice turn out to be nothing more than a little first-time jitters (once we get a job lol)!!

CrufflerJJ, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Jul 16, 2009

I contemplate trying to review and "re-learn" everything from my textbooks from this last year (it was an advanced program so only 1 year for LPN), and then I think about the NCLEX...oh sweet jesus!! In clinic and class, I am always *sooo confident* and sure of my abilities, but now that the end is in sight and reality is about to step in....not feeling so confident.
Is this pretty typical? Am I crazy? Oh please someone tell me you feel the same way!!

Nope - it's just you...NOT.

I'm feeling almost the same way, having started a new grad RN internship program last week. My first "working" shift was Tuesday, and it went well overall.

Don't kill yourself, trying to "re-learn" textbook stuff. That's just book knowledge. The "real" stuff will come from DOING...over & over & over & over. At least that's what I'm telling myself as a newbie RN. I know it was that way for me as a paramedic. As a newbie medic, everything was so hard - having to THINK about each & every step. With time & experience, we both should be able to do more stuff almost automatically, without having to think/worry about each & every step. I hope!

School just gives you the basic knowledge/framework for your clinical practice. The rest comes from hands-on experience.

Ravenx2012 · Jul 16, 2009

Those of you nervous about this a small question to you. I will be starting a hospital program for RN come March. It is very heavy in the clinical. What route did you all go? Are you more nervous because you had less clinical; or were any of you in a hospital based program and still worried? Still have two years 6 months to go till I am in the same shoes as you all, but I am trying to understand more of what I can expect and be well prepared for it when I am there.

Thanks

k.morris · Jul 16, 2009

Well my nursing program was only 2 years long. We had clinical twice a week and sometimes we would have 12 hour shifts to get used to it. I did a nurse Externship last summer and worked as a CNA ever since and although that made me feel more confident, I am also scared to practice by myself, because all of the responsibility is on me. Like if a patient asks me something and I don't know the answer I cant be like, "I'll go get your nurse", because I will be the nurse. I'm just scared for those types of situations and scared for those co-workers that won't want anything to do with me when I ask for help.

Hope that helps Ravenx2012...........Goodluck!

CharleeJo.RN · Jul 16, 2009

That is EXACTLY what i'm feeling, morris! hopefully we are worrying for nothing :plsebeg:

Raven, I'm not in the RN program yet (start in late august) but as far as my LPN program went, it was 1 year and we were in the clinic 2x a week for 8-9 hours a day - all my rotations were in the hospital. I learned a lot more being in that setting than in the classroom, but I think regardless of everything, you're still nervous for the time that you will be on your own and have to answer to yourself, let alone be responsible for your patient. I"m sure we are all just experiencing normal feelings, but that doesn't change the fact that I"m a little scared ********.