--that you would ever feel so tired (both mentally and physically)
--that you could not go back another day (because your confidence was shaken)
--that you are so afraid to make mistakes
--that you'd lay awake going through the day feeling like you forgot to do something or that you did something wrong
--that you're preceptors haven't prepared you for having a full load of pts
--that management/HR recruiters/educators/professors have lied to you, promising all these great opportunities but really nursing is full of horizontal abuse and has a crazy learning curve
--that you will never learn how to manage your time/organize your day
--that you were thrown to the wolves
--that this profession is harder than anything you've done in the past
--that you wish that staffing ratios were more fair
--that the floor gossip would be this mean
???
i have been a nurse for 5 months and i already feel such a lack of confidence, security or hope. i was wondering if these thoughts were common, or if it's all in my head.
I think it would be abnormal not to feel like this. Mostly, I find myself checking myself over and over to make sure I'm not making a mistake. People look at me like I'm crazy when I keep checking the meds with the computer before giving IV push meds, but I can't help it. I am paranoid I guess. What makes me kind of feel inadequate is that there is another new grad on my unit who just seems so confident and even too confident. She even comes in the room when I am with my patients and it almost seems that she's checking up on me. I always find myself asking my preceptor questions to make sure I AM doing things right, but I never see her ask anything. I could be paranoid with about this also, but lately I feel like she feels superior to me. Who knows. Has anyone else seen a new grad like this?? Anyway, I guess what I'm saying is I think all (or most?) new grads have this insecurity and it will only get better with time -- and I do not see any harm in asking questions and double checking things until it all becomes more natural.
Hey Omni,
I had several classmates in nursing school like that. And you know, they always scared me the most, but only because I thought they were the most likely to make a mistake that would endanger a pt! There was one classmate in particular who ALWAYS had all the answers (and not just about nsg stuff), and he wasn't always right. What most concerns me about him is that although he might NOT know something, he acts like he does, and that's dangerous. You're asking questions of people with lots of experience because you care about doing a good job and about your pts, and after a while you will be just as competent. Good luck!
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
Hey Omni,
I had several classmates in nursing school like that. And you know, they always scared me the most, but only because I thought they were the most likely to make a mistake that would endanger a pt! There was one classmate in particular who ALWAYS had all the answers (and not just about nsg stuff), and he wasn't always right. What most concerns me about him is that although he might NOT know something, he acts like he does, and that's dangerous. You're asking questions of people with lots of experience because you care about doing a good job and about your pts, and after a while you will be just as competent. Good luck!
I concurr with this; and the reason why this new grad may be approaching or watching a person more often may be because she/he is more insecure than they are letting on. It is far worse to assume and do something to jeapordize the patient or your license than to continue to ask again and again until you are sure. The grass is NOT always greener on the other side.
Well I am a month in to my new job (first nursing job) and am starting to feel incredibly lucky. I make $28/hr with $5.30 night diff and $2 weekends. The unit is insanely busy (neuro/acute care) but the staff is incredible! I have never felt like I was put-down, talked about or not able to get questions answered. I have an awesome preceptor. When I make mistakes she points them out and says "your fine, your fine, now you know." I do have to say that I am overwhelmed with the amount there is to do. Yesterday one patient (290 pounds) continued to need to be changed, turned, fluffed, you name it. Other patient had family pacing the floor, looking for me. "How much per hour is this costing me?" The other patient kept pulling at his trach, spewing mrsa-filled sputum all over the room and hitting on me. Oh yeah, he pulled out his foley and his g-tube too! No meds until it was confirmed re-placed, no orders for iv meds. Lunch at 3.30- busy, busy, busy.
Came home exhausted but happy.
I hope you can find the same kind of atmosphere to work in!
I hear you! I just got home from work and am so wound up I can't sleep. The unit educator approached me today and told me she wanted to take me off orientation a week early and give me a full pt. load on Monday. (They think I'm ready)
My preceptors have been great. In fact, everyone on the unit has been....but it is an acute care medicine unit...I am SO busy with these pts..giving blood, PCA's, lots of ARP pts, dressings changes, insulin or heparin gtts, various tubes ~ PTC, Gtubes,PEG tubes, chest tubes..
Nurses here only take 4 pts...so I feel like maybe I should feel lucky....but they are so acute, and we have lots of codes.
I am really anxoius about 'being on my own'.
Two things that I wish were talked about more in nursing school are the HUGE amount of paperwork a nurse does and how to manage time......I had such an unrealistic view of what a nurse really does! I mean..I wish i could be there for all 4 at once but I have to keep 're-prioritizing'...THINGS CHANGE SO FAST!...and I always feel I am 'behind' or forgetting to do something...oh how I hope this gets better...(all this stress and I really like my unit)...sorry to go on and on.
What do you do if you hate your job but almost every hospital and medical facility is owned by the same company? Anyone have any experience with this?
This is like every other industry, only a handfull that own most? It is a result of not having a truely free market economy and an elitist monetary policy.
I think it would be abnormal not to feel like this. Mostly, I find myself checking myself over and over to make sure I'm not making a mistake. People look at me like I'm crazy when I keep checking the meds with the computer before giving IV push meds, but I can't help it. I am paranoid I guess. What makes me kind of feel inadequate is that there is another new grad on my unit who just seems so confident and even too confident. She even comes in the room when I am with my patients and it almost seems that she's checking up on me. I always find myself asking my preceptor questions to make sure I AM doing things right, but I never see her ask anything. I could be paranoid with about this also, but lately I feel like she feels superior to me. Who knows. Has anyone else seen a new grad like this?? Anyway, I guess what I'm saying is I think all (or most?) new grads have this insecurity and it will only get better with time -- and I do not see any harm in asking questions and double checking things until it all becomes more natural.
My advice would be, and I am only a year out of school, to do what is right for you. If you feel that you need to check, double check, triple check...then that is what you should do until you feel YOU are comfortable. I don't know what the other new grad is doing, and they might be secure and confident, but that is not you and whatever they do and don't do should not be a concern of yours. I have found, especially in nursing, that there are a lot of people who want to be "superior". Don't worry about that, do your job, get your "practice", learn all you can, and it will get better...eventually.
Thank God there is somebody else out there who put into words what I've been feeling! I'm a new nurse too (6 months) and this is my second career.
I am feeling inept and looking for some validation that I am, at least, improving. Some days I leave feeling like I really gave good care to those little people in my charge and other days I go home in tears. The behind-the-back talk is just so mean - in spite of the mission/values/culture statement on the bathroom wall...
Hardest job I ever did - including being a mom. Please tell me it will get better...I don't want to leave. I want to be a really good nurse.
When I was in nursing school they tried to warn us about the reality shock of transitioning from student nurse to RN. I blew it off thinking it would never happen to me. Then after coming off orientation at my hospital I was a nervous wreck. I was so nervous going to work wondering what if? I felt so unsure of myself and actually considered changing professions. I was ready to go do anything but nursing. Fortunately for me I work with a great bunch of nurses who definitely do not eat their young. I have had some great mentors who I can turn to with even the stupidest of questions. Now I have been nursing 2 years and I can tell you I actually like my job now. Sure it has its ups and downs and many times we are understaffed. But there are always things about any job you are not going to like. I say give it more time, hang in there, it will pass - all those feelings of inadequacy and the thoughts of what if I screw up, etc. Time and experience will heal all of that. Hang in there, stick with it, you will get over the hump!
Well here is my story. I graduated from nursing school on May 12, I was in hospital Nclex review on May 14, then orientation after orientation, then a day on the floor, then my floor required Critical care Classes for 6 weeks. We go to class 2 eight hour days and work 2 twelve hour days. I have had all of 12 days with a preceptor on the floor taking patients on a busy 50 bed telemetry floor, I come in on a day that was still supposed to be on the job training to find out they dont have enought nursing and I am on my own. Not to mention that I was promised I could just work 3 twelves a week, now that has changed because of a shortage. Also, my schedule is like one day on, one day off, one day on, one day off, 2 days on, one day off. They are making me absolutely crazy. I think that I am going to have a nervous breakdown. I am not your young new grad either, I am 35 and have an 11 year old and a 14 year old who is starting high school and is in the band. My husband works two jobs and is never home so everything falls on me. I signed a 2 year contract with the devil I guess. I dont know what to do. I think I need a psychiatrist. I love nursing but hate the situtation I am in. I have no idea what to do.
NTPinky
158 Posts
Hey Omni,
I had several classmates in nursing school like that. And you know, they always scared me the most, but only because I thought they were the most likely to make a mistake that would endanger a pt! There was one classmate in particular who ALWAYS had all the answers (and not just about nsg stuff), and he wasn't always right. What most concerns me about him is that although he might NOT know something, he acts like he does, and that's dangerous. You're asking questions of people with lots of experience because you care about doing a good job and about your pts, and after a while you will be just as competent. Good luck!