Does anyone else feel like...

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Specializes in LDRP.

they just can't do this?

I am really doubting myself and wondering if I will be able to make it out there in the real world of nursing. I feel like my instructors are going to "find out" that I stink at nursing and then what???

I think reading posts about the realities of nursing really freaks me out...:uhoh3:

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Specializes in LDRP.

oops, should have posted this whining in the student forum-haha. Sorry folks!

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lol...you are feeling what we all go through..heck I still have those moments and I am done this December! I have had several times during school that while in clinical I would stand there & feel like I had absolutely no idea what I was doing..and would ask some of my friends in my clinical group if they felt the same..and low & behold all of them had this same feeling at one time or another so don't worry...what you are feeling is perfectly natural!!

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Specializes in Critical Care/ICU.

OP - I understand what you're saying. When I came out of nursing school and began working as a real nurse I felt like a complete fraud. FRAUD. I just couldn't believe that I was being trusted with such an important (and scarey) responsibility.

It took a good year to really get over that feeling. But it's a really normal feeling that I think everyone can relate to. And it's good because at least you realize that you don't know everything. It takes time to get your confidence. Don't give up.

My 28 year old daughter just finished submitting her application to nursing school. I send her all kinds of info from the web, but (sorry about this allnurses) this is one website I will not be sending her. While I personally think it's a great site it does have a LOT of negative in so many areas of discussion. There's a lot of good here too, so much helpful information for every type of nursing there is! Actually I don't recommend any of the nursing message boards out there for anyone in school. Sounds harsh, I know, but I don't know of any other way to say it.

My experience in nursing hasn't been even a fraction of the negative that I read all over the web by my fellow nurses. But it doesn't mean that it doesn't happen. Just never go into anything with a preconcieved notion based on what others say. Get through it and form your own opinions. You may be able to help those who are having a hard time.

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Specializes in ICU, psych, corrections.

I loved this website when I was going through school! I learned so many useful hints, tricks, books, websites, etc. It was my salvation through school...LOL! It was nice to know I wasn't the only one going through it at the time. As for feeling like I "can't do this"....I still feel like a big phony sometimes when I am talking to a patient's family. Even though I know in my heart I understand the things I'm teaching the patient and their family (more often the family as many of my patients are on vents), I still feel like I'm making stuff up....LOL! Then I look back in amazement at how much I've learned in the past 9 months of being on my own. It truly is mind-boggling at how far I've come...and how far I've yet to go!

Melanie = )

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Specializes in LDRP.
OP - I understand what you're saying. When I came out of nursing school and began working as a real nurse I felt like a complete fraud. FRAUD. I just couldn't believe that I was being trusted with such an important (and scarey) responsibility.

It took a good year to really get over that feeling. But it's a really normal feeling that I think everyone can relate to. And it's good because at least you realize that you don't know everything. It takes time to get your confidence. Don't give up.

My 28 year old daughter just finished submitting her application to nursing school. I send her all kinds of info from the web, but (sorry about this allnurses) this is one website I will not be sending her. While I personally think it's a great site it does have a LOT of negative in so many areas of discussion. There's a lot of good here too, so much helpful information for every type of nursing there is! Actually I don't recommend any of the nursing message boards out there for anyone in school. Sounds harsh, I know, but I don't know of any other way to say it.

My experience in nursing hasn't been even a fraction of the negative that I read all over the web by my fellow nurses. But it doesn't mean that it doesn't happen. Just never go into anything with a preconcieved notion based on what others say. Get through it and form your own opinions. You may be able to help those who are having a hard time.

Sounds like you are a wonderful mom-very supportive! I have to take braks from the boards too every once in a while or it gets to be too much info-LOL! :) Thanks for the encouragemnet!

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Specializes in LDRP.
lol...you are feeling what we all go through..heck I still have those moments and I am done this December! I have had several times during school that while in clinical I would stand there & feel like I had absolutely no idea what I was doing..and would ask some of my friends in my clinical group if they felt the same..and low & behold all of them had this same feeling at one time or another so don't worry...what you are feeling is perfectly natural!!

Thanks for the support--good to know I am not alone. ;)

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Specializes in LDRP.
I loved this website when I was going through school! I learned so many useful hints, tricks, books, websites, etc. It was my salvation through school...LOL! It was nice to know I wasn't the only one going through it at the time. As for feeling like I "can't do this"....I still feel like a big phony sometimes when I am talking to a patient's family. Even though I know in my heart I understand the things I'm teaching the patient and their family (more often the family as many of my patients are on vents), I still feel like I'm making stuff up....LOL! Then I look back in amazement at how much I've learned in the past 9 months of being on my own. It truly is mind-boggling at how far I've come...and how far I've yet to go!

Melanie = )

Well, I hope to be in your shoes someday and have some confidence! :) I think the amount of learning is just staggering...that is what is so overwhelming. I'll just keep plugging away, and pray a lot!

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Thanks for the support--good to know I am not alone. ;)

Hey no problemo! A few of the nurses I was asking while at clinicals said it takes some nurses around 2 years to feel like they are a "real" nurse and that the real world of nursing is a complete 360 from what school was.

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Specializes in M/S/Ortho/Bari/ED.

Just hang in there! :) Alot of students ( I would say the majority) go through it, and it's all designed to see who wants it bad enough. We had people dropping like flies! Believe me, if I had any idea what I was getting myself into, I never would have had the nerve to show up on that first day! I thank god I was so naive! I try to remember that at least where I live, just getting a slot in nursing school is an accomplishment!

Now that I am at the end of school and about to be cut from the apron strings, of course I am terrified. But I think the key is to get in with a good preceptor who does not mind being asked questions and is enthusiastic about mentoring. And have more faith in yourself! If you've made it this far, the school and clinical instructors must see something in you.... :monkeydance:

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