Critical thinking

[coconut3431]

Hello, I am a new lpn. I have been working in this nursing home for 4 months. It's not going so well. Cause my head staff keep telling me I need to start thinking as a critical nurse. They say they know I know my stuff but I'm just not getting it. I feel so stupid and embarrassed at work. Meanwhile, another new nurse just like me is buzzing through the facility. I can even remember back when they hired new nurses they hit the ground running. I on the other hand feel like i can barley hit the ground walking. I just don't understand when I go back in my nclex pn review questions or any questions I get them right. Is there any advice you can give me to be a profound critical nurse.

[AJJKRN]

Being book-smart does not always equate to being street-smart.

That being said, everyone learns and grows at different paces.

If you continue to compare yourself to another nurse then at least be sure you're comparing apples to apples and not apples to oranges.

Did you both go to the same school, get the same exact clinical experiences, both work as CNAs or both just getting your feet wet in healthcare? First job?

Even if these examples all measure up closely together you are both two different people with different strengths, weaknesses, and attributes.

The stress you're putting on yourself is most likely holding you back.

I'm not saying to not own your weakness but you need to find a way to own your strengths too.

And guess what...many of us learned just the tip of what we needed to know during school to practice as a new grad safely but not surely if you get what I mean...that comes with experience.

You just gots to get you some experience to go with all your book smarts

...and then re-evaluate!

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Moved to First Year After Licensure forum.