what EXACTLY is expected of a new grad LPN?

[sarahg88]

I feel like I'm missing a lot of information that i should know, but i'm wondering if this is normal as a new grad? this may sound stupid, but today I had to research what the function of the kidneys was because I wasn't too sure. I knew it had to do with production of urine and it being send to the bladder from there to the ureters to bladder, but I was kinda oblivious about the filtering of the waste from the blood part. ...... its ok if you wanna call me incompetent, i just need someone to tell me. I suck at critical thinking and find myself to be a deer in headlights about many things. The way nurses talk sometimes makes me feel sick because I feel like I should know what there saying, but I dont. Im even a lil clueless as to how to do my job still and how to and when to call different specialties in.. like i said, critical thinking isnt there...

Does anyone else feel this way? Or did you as a new grad? I feel like i wasted thousands of dollars to go to school and now have a panic attack everyday before work because i'm afraid of looking stupid. Basically all i focus on is getting my assessments done, doing vitals, chem strips, medication admin, dressing, ins and outs and other flow sheets/things im supposed to monitor.. just the tasks really that i end up overlooking a lot of things.

Am i unsafe? Please be honest with me. I'm tired of wondering whats expected of me as a brand new grad.

By the way, I had 12 orientation shifts and now I am on my third shift on my own.