DO YOU FEEL STUPID???

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Apr 3, 2014

It is at least a year. Not every day will be torture but you are overwhelmed and wonder what possessed you to think that you could do this. But you can. ((HUGS))

emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Apr 3, 2014

About a year. Although by 6 months I had stopped making the Scooby-Doo "mmmrff?" sound out loud. Scared is fine, you just can't let it control you.

ruralnurse84 · Apr 3, 2014

I recently asked my mom this, she's been a nurse for 20 years now, and she said it took about a year to feel comfortable and another year after that to feel completely competent. I graduate in 3 months and I get worried about it a lot too.

AmyRN303, BSN, RN · Apr 3, 2014

I feel the same way, Jake. New grad here. All of my friends who are nurses told me what your mom told you.

Nolli · Apr 3, 2014

All of the nurses I talked to went through the same thing. even though you know it's coming it's still a bit of a shock. "Oh my god they are letting me care for patients on my own...." The first year I hear is the hardest. There is a light at the end so remember that when you get out there and think, "Oh my god I can't do this!" NCLEX is minimum standards. Passing it is a big accomplishment to be proud of. It means you are a RN, but it isn't the end. Starting practice means we begin a new journey, but the lessons are informal.

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Apr 3, 2014

This is very familiar territory for me... When I first became a Paramedic, it took me about a YEAR to become comfortable in the new role. When I first graduated and earned my license, I felt like I was still an EMT because I was working in that role while going to school to be a Paramedic. Now I am very comfortable identifying as a Paramedic. When I finally earn my license as an RN, I fully expect to have a similar feeling for about a year or so as I transition from feeling like I'm a student to that of a RN.

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Apr 3, 2014

Double post... but seriously, few people I've met felt completely comfortable identifying with their "new" role immediately after graduation/licensure.