At what point do you stop feeling stupid?

[LETRN]

I am a recent BSN graduate and just took and passed my NCLEX last week. I started in the ER about three weeks ago, and I'm finding the learning curve quite steep. I did nearly 300 clinical hours my last semester on an inpatient floor, and really became acclimated to that type of nursing (although I didn't care for it). It goes without saying, but the ER is SUCH a different place...everything from the medications to the focused assesments and charting. I'm not a stupid person, but each day I work I find a dozen more things that I don't know.

Everyone in the department has been awesome and helpful, but I'm beginning to dread going in because I will more than likely make myself look like a dumbass before the day is over.

This will end at some point, right?

[HeartsOpenWide, RN]

I will let you know when I find out. It finally feels like it is getting better, but every once in awhile I find myself feeling like a total idiot; but is it is better than when I started last year. I am hoping another year will be just right.

[nurseirma]

with time comes experience, with experience comes wisdom and confidence....give it time

[POTR]

If you can graduate from any Nursing program, you are not a dumbass.

You might have some self esteem issues you need to work on if this is a continuous theme. That said, you (just like everyone else) will grow into your chosen profession. Lack of experience does not equal dumbass. I am certain you will be just fine.

I seem to remember a quote from someone, somewhere that was something like-

You learn something new everyday, the day you stop learning something new is the day not to come back.

[FiduciaRN]

I've been a RN for about 15 months. I started as a float, and moved to the ER 3 months ago. I have depending on what the manager says either one day left on orientation or two wks. I'm scared outta my bird. My night manager and preceptor think I'm ready and I sooooo don't. The learning curve is sooo steep. There are things I do now, that I could never do on the floor. It seems just like me, you have some confidence issues. I try my best. Never let my pts see my anxiety, although on the inside I'm dying. I had a pt recently whose niece was a pa there. I went in assessed her, drew labs, lined her, and the pa said wow, where did you come fron? She new I was new there, but she said you came in here so confident you must be a nurse forever. Lol. I just laughed to myself. That day made me realize, its all about the pts and families perception of your confidence!!!!! Hang in there.

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

It's tough to be a new grad in the ED. Hang in there! How long is your orientation? How is your preceptor?

[LETRN]

I don't feel that I have self esteem issues, I think it's more that I'm impatient and want to know it all NOW. I figured out in nursing school how to fake confidence, and I doubt that anyone around me in the department knows that I'm constantly going 'D'oh!' throughout the day

My orientation is 16 weeks, and my preceptor is pretty cool. She is a very quiet person, so she's hard to read...but I think if I was really jacking up she would tell me.

[eeyorelov]

I know how you feel and I'm only on a med/surg/tele floor. I just hope this elusive "experience" come before people think I completely stupid! I try so hard and I still miss things, plus I have a year gap between graduationa and starting work, I want to do a good job, but a year with this steep learning curve seems like a long time. Good luck to you!

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

My orientation is 16 weeks, and my preceptor is pretty cool. She is a very quiet person, so she's hard to read...but I think if I was really jacking up she would tell me.

I'd ask her directly for some feedback. I had to do that with my preceptor, too. I'd known her and worked with her for a few years already (as an ER tech in the same ER), and knew that she would tell me if I were screwing up or needed to improve in some areas, but I solicited feedback just the same -- it was helpful for me to hear it.

[AZO49008]

I'm in the same boat as you, LETRN. Just graduated, passed the NCLEX and am on to a new job on a busy cardiac floor in July. I did well in school, excelled in clinicals and have worked in an externship on said cardiac floor. The way I look at it, though, I'm just STARTING my REAL education.

In nursing school we were more or less simply taught rudimentary clinical skills, how to use critical thinking, and specific pathophysiology. That doesn't prepare us to be a good nurse, it only prepares us to the point where we can become good nurses. It's the foundation on which we'll assemble the rest of our learning experiences.

I'm lucky in that I feel that the nurses on the floor I'll be joining are really, really good at what they do (at least most of them) and I'm looking forward from learning how to be a good nurse from them.

[Nurseinprocess]

I only feel stupid when I am giving report to the next shift . Then I am reminded that I am still so focused on completing assessments and med passes on time that I have limited knowlege about what's going on with each patient ! Who has time to read charts and actually spend time with each patient when you have 7 or 8 of them?

[scoochy]

Give yourself a break. Look at the positives:

1. 16 week orientation; that's terrific, if you ask me.

2. A new grad hired in an ER? That's a compliment, IMO. The nurse manager sees good things in you, and that's why you were hired!

3. Supportive co-workers..excellent! Remember, everyone who works there was once in your shoes, and, I am certain, felt the same way you are feeling now.

4. Think of all the knowledge you will acquire from patient situations that are presented to you. You will certainly gain astute assessment skills.

5. Buy an ER Nursing text; it is always good to have a reliable textbook that focuses in on ER nursing.

6. Take time for yourself, and be gentle on yourself!