Connecting the dots- Will it ever happen?

Published

Alright nurses, I need your thoughts! I am currently in my last semester and will graduate in a few months- I am panicking! I absolutely DO NOT feel ready or competent enough to leave the cocoon of NS; I know nothing and feel as though my clinical experiences lack productivity (on my end).

The program I attend does not assign you patients, they assign you a nurse who you will follow. In the beginning I very much enjoyed this model as I felt it was far more beneficial to shadow the nurse and assist in caring for her entire patient load; but now, I'm beginning to think otherwise. Seeing as we are attached at the hip for the entire day, my nurse's patients become my patients- with her present, I pull and pass all of our patients meds, start the lines, hang bags, complete assessments and do treatments. But, due to this 'nurse-buddy' system, I am embarrassed to admit I have never taken a full patient on my own- subsequently I have no clue what I'm supposed to be doing. In clinical I find I struggle to initiate things on my own because I'm unsure of what I'm supposed to be doing and what comes next - I'm literally running around with my nurse helping her take care of 6-7 patients- it's chaos, there's no time. I also find I must be directed or prompted in many things- it's discouraging. I'm clueless as when to call the doctor, deal with orders, coordinate outside care/procedures and when to chart. I am terrified that during orientation, my future employer/ preceptor will expect me to handle a few patients on my own early in the game. As of now, I just feel so incredibly behind, unprepared, incompetent and unsafe. I have made a list of everything I want to work on this semester and plan to focus on one specific item each day in my remaining rotations- hopefully this will help.

I'm scared to graduate because I don't feel ready and I'm terrified my ineptitude will harm a patient. I guess my question is: what skills/abilities do employers expect in new grads? Is this normal or am I really far behind? While in orientation do you shadow a nurse before taking your own patients?

I ask dozens of questions, jump at every possible learning opportunity and perform tasks (when directed)- but I can't seem to put it all together and it's humiliating.

Any thoughts or opinions are greatly, greatly appreciated!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Calm down! The most important thing to know/do is ask questions. I'd always rather ask and risk feeling like a fool than actually do something really foolish.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Try not to stress to much. I felt the same. In my final 2 semesters of uni, I had 4 weeks of community placement (therefore no patient load, then in my final 12 weeks of uni I had 4 weeks of icu, 2 weeks in maternity & 2 weeks in a elective surgical ward where half the surgeons were on leave so it was extremely quiet and at times, there were more staff then patients!

In my final year, I never got the opportunity to take my own full patient load and I was very concerned about how I would go.

I started my new grad 3 weeks ago and it has worked out. I had 3 supernumerary days (buddies with someone) then I was on my own. I start my shift after handover with sitting down and making a plan for the shift and I go from there. I ask a lot of questions. We do team nursing where I work and the more experienced staff help out with things if I'm lagging and I help out as well if I have caught up.

I make sure I have a little reflection on each shift and pick at things I could do better. It is all a big learning experience.

Chin up, it will work out. Start by making a plan of your shift and going through it with your preceptor, ask for help and remember, the other nurses were in the same position once.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You got this! You just need to accept that. You will never feel like you know everything. You are brand new and all you need to tell your new employer is that you promise to do your best and do no harm. No one expects you to know it all. Just believe that you can do this job, you can walk on the floor, with a positive attitude and you will make it to the end of your shift. The great thing about nursing is that you are NEVER ALONE. You will have a team, you will learn as you go. Just stay calm and happy. And above all, just be kind. Most people in the hospital have no idea what's going on and the only thing they really notice is who is nice and who isn't. I've only been a nurse for 1.5 years and I damn sure don't know it all. I learn something new every shift, but just ask when you feel like you need to. Your routine will come. Just give yourself a chance. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in oncology, MS/tele/stepdown.

I started my orientation 2 weeks ago and have another 10 at least before I am on my own. Let me tell you, I was terrified I was going to kill someone. But I feel so much more comfortable every day. Things that stressed me out on day 1 are not a big deal now. I am constantly asking for help or just reinforcement when a patient is heavy, but everyone is supportive. Everyone is willing to answer my questions. The only person who makes me feel stupid is myself, and that is my own issue. I am organizing myself better every day. You will too. You will figure out what you need to do to get your day going how you want. Your future employer will know that you are new and will expect you to need help. Try not to stress about that and just get through school and boards.

Is it possible to share your list of what you want to work on with your nurse/instructor? They might be able to help you work through some of those challenges.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Alright nurses, I need your thoughts! I am currently in my last semester and will graduate in a few months- I am panicking! I absolutely DO NOT feel ready or competent enough to leave the cocoon of NS; I know nothing and feel as though my clinical experiences lack productivity (on my end).

The program I attend does not assign you patients, they assign you a nurse who you will follow. In the beginning I very much enjoyed this model as I felt it was far more beneficial to shadow the nurse and assist in caring for her entire patient load; but now, I’m beginning to think otherwise. Seeing as we are attached at the hip for the entire day, my nurse’s patients become my patients- with her present, I pull and pass all of our patients meds, start the lines, hang bags, complete assessments and do treatments. But, due to this ‘nurse-buddy’ system, I am embarrassed to admit I have never taken a full patient on my own- subsequently I have no clue what I’m supposed to be doing. In clinical I find I struggle to initiate things on my own because I’m unsure of what I’m supposed to be doing and what comes next - I’m literally running around with my nurse helping her take care of 6-7 patients- it’s chaos, there’s no time. I also find I must be directed or prompted in many things- it’s discouraging. I’m clueless as when to call the doctor, deal with orders, coordinate outside care/procedures and when to chart. I am terrified that during orientation, my future employer/ preceptor will expect me to handle a few patients on my own early in the game. As of now, I just feel so incredibly behind, unprepared, incompetent and unsafe. I have made a list of everything I want to work on this semester and plan to focus on one specific item each day in my remaining rotations- hopefully this will help.

I’m scared to graduate because I don’t feel ready and I’m terrified my ineptitude will harm a patient. I guess my question is: what skills/abilities do employers expect in new grads? Is this normal or am I really far behind? While in orientation do you shadow a nurse before taking your own patients?

I ask dozens of questions, jump at every possible learning opportunity and perform tasks (when directed)- but I can’t seem to put it all together and it’s humiliating.

Any thoughts or opinions are greatly, greatly appreciated!

Every new nurse starts their career with the same feelings, especially during the first year. It's a long process to become an expert. Give yourself time and ask questions! As an experienced nurse I love to mentor new nurses because I remember all too clearly how stressful it as a new grad. Many experienced nurses feel the same. Find yourself a mentor who works a similar schedule as you. I had a wonderful mentor and seriously don't know how I would have survived without her! Hang in there!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

I would be willing to bet that the 'shadowing' is designed to increase your responsibility over time ... with your nurse gradually stepping back and allowing you to take greater responsibility; ultimately, s/he is just facilitating and making sure you don't get in over your head. If not, I agree with you... and don't really see the point. Can you work with your nurse to move in this direction? Just ask her to allow you to do things & only intervene if you are doing something wrong or ask for help.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg, Precepting, Education.

Does your nursing program require that it's seniors do an internship/preceptorship before graduating? This is on top of the regular clinicals that programs offer. Up until I did my senior preceptorship at my local hospital under the guidance of one assigned preceptor nurse I felt the same way you did. I felt that my clinicals lacked in many areas and I was beside myself when it was time to do my preceptorship. BUT with in a few days of beginning the preceptorship I felt more confident in the basics and I finally started to see myself in the nursing role (vs student). I think that most nursing students or at least the ones who really care are always in search of more knowledge and information so it feels like we really never attain enough. I wish you the best!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion