can I really do this?

[file03]

I'm a new grad nurse at an LTAC - long term acute care facility. going into my 3rd week. most patients I've had so far is 3. nurses with experience can have up to 6 patients. I'm not hesitant about the patient care, I'm more nervous about interacting with every other thing going on involving the patient.

things like:

- interacting/speaking with doctors in person + via phone. especially remembering their names. (I need to work on remembering).

- being able to judge doctors orders, to make sure they are correct. and being able to add any input.

- being able to go through the medical record book well: mostly the physicians orders section. and being able to read and understand it fully. (also, deal with bad handwriting).

- doing a new admission at any point during the day, while having your own patients to take care of at the same time.

I'm a new grad, but I tend to get worrisome if I can do all of this by myself once my orientation is up.

I know there are many threads of new grads saying "can I do this?" with replies of assurance. but I guess I am selfish and want my own thread, haha.

[NurseBrittney]

I'm sure you'll do fine.

Good luck with LTAC, I hated the most in school. I have alot of respect for people who work there and l&D

[file03]

[nightmare, RN]

Course you can do this! but like everything else it takes practice.The more you do it the better you'll get at it!Good luck in your career,you'll be fine.Look back on this post in two months and see if I'm right!

[elizabells, BSN, RN]

I don't work LTC, so I don't have any specific advice, but I'll tell you what I always tell myself whenever I think "can I do this", whether it's nursing related or otherwise:

Thousands (or millions) of people have done this before you. They're not better (or smarter, or stronger, or whatever) than you. So, therefore, you can do this.

[RNJennyInAZ]

Think about how many times during school you sat and thought to yourself, "can I really do this"? How many times in life have you sat and thought the same thing? And yet, here you are! Look at all you have done! You CAN get through this, and you will be successful! Just give it some time. I would be much more concerned if you though, "heh, whatever, this is cake, I'll figure it out as I go". You concern tells me you will do great!