Feel like a crap nurse. How do I become better?

HalfBoiled, BSN, RN · Nov 30, 2017

Sounds completely normal for a new nurse.

I wasn't confident until the 3rd month on my own.

I've been working for almost 2 years and I am still learning new things.

Crush · Nov 30, 2017

Sounds normal but also forgetfulness can be a sign of increased stress response, not a lack of knowledge. This is 100% normal for most new nurses. Most are not very confident that first year. I am still learning new things. This does not make you incompetent though. Now take a deep breath.

Don't forget to ask a co-worker for tips as needed or help if you are running around and they are just sitting. Just be sure to reciprocate on another day.

SaltineQueen · Nov 30, 2017

Make sure your "brain" sheet works for you. If not, tweak it. Ask other nurses if you can see theirs to see how they keep themselves organized.

jennylee321 · Nov 30, 2017

Don't judge how "good" the other Newbies are doing by how they look from the outside. I've questioned other new staff can be so confident until I actually talked to them and realise they are having a really hard time too but are just good at hiding it.

Wuzzie · Nov 30, 2017

Don't judge how "good" the other Newbies are doing by how they look from the outside. I've questioned other new staff can be so confident until I actually talked to them and realise they are having a really hard time too but are just good at hiding it.

This^ Those "competent" new nurses are just trying not to throw up.

JKL33 · Nov 30, 2017

Stacy,

One month might as well be one shift; it's simply not enough time to pull things together. Based on your report of where you believe you're falling short, I think you sound like a conscientious new nurse. It's possible you're being quite hard on yourself. For instance, all of us walk back into rooms from time to time because we've remembered another assessment we wanted to make or a question we'd meant to ask. It may just feel worse for you right now because there are so many things you're trying to stay on top of.

As mentioned above, I wouldn't put too much stock in how your peers appear to be doing. At this point it's quite irrelevant and your assumptions about their comfort level may very well be off-track anyway. Not always the case, of course, but most of the times I've seen idle new grads it's because they didn't know what they weren't doing, not because they were done with all their work and were just passing the time.

I personally don't recommend going to them and asking how they're succeeding and you're not, or asking them for pointers. There is such a thing as drawing negative attention to oneself in this way, or being so self deprecating that other people begin to believe there is a problem when there isn't one. If you're concerned you could (calmly/maturely) ask for feedback from your former preceptor(s) and/or manager. Also, pick out a few wise/experienced staff members who can serve as resources.

Things will start to fall into place, but it takes quite a bit longer than a month. It may help you to keep a journal so that you can be encouraged by reading back and seeing all the things you've learned.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Nov 30, 2017

Over the last month or so, I've come home from work each day feeling distressed, discouraged, and frustrated with myself. I've made some mistakes, like forgetting to double check TPN and lipids against the patient's hard chart (all the electrolytes), I've walked out of a room and walked back in ten minutes later because I forgot to do something like check I/Os, I've forgotten to chart some I/Os (everyone is q2 I/O ~ cardiac floor). I just feel so incompetent sometimes and I feel like the other new RNs are doing so good and I'm not. I know confidence comes with time but at this point I've been off orientation for one month and I still sometimes (always) feel like I'm running around like a chicken with its head cut off. I'm constantly running from room to room all shift and all the other nurses are just chilling at the cluster. What am I doing wrong? How do I become better/more efficient? I feel so frustrated because I'm so busy all the time and I don't have time to critically think about my patients and their diagnoses! And its a peds cardiac floor, so these kids have complicated diseases! I just dont know what to do anymore and although I love my job, I feel frustrated with myself and discouraged.

Don't measure yourself against anyone else -- things are never exactly as they seem from the outside. Perhaps you're being conscientious and the new nurses who are "just chilling at the cluster" have forgotten things, too, only they AREN'T going back to the patient's room to take care of them.

I didn't get it together until well after the one year mark, but for most people, something "clicks" at about one year, and they find that, for the most part, they got this. One month is WAY too soon. You'll get it -- on YOUR timetable, and not on anyone else's. In the mean time, just make sure that your brain sheet works for you and that you're working it.

SaltySarcasticSally, LPN, RN · Dec 1, 2017

Your doing just fine. I've got my 6 month mark on a Tele floor, on my own for 3 months now. I just now feel like I can go into work and not feel overwhelmed. And I was an LPN for 8 years before and its still took me till now to feel comfortable. Always ask questions and keep marching ahead, it will feel less anxiety inducing soon.