Feeling discouraged..

[kjrn10]

I've been a nurse for what will be five years in May, and I have to say I never imagined at this point I'd be feeling the way I do.

In the past five years I've held

multiple types of nursing jobs. I've worked on a med/surg-oncology unit, I tried hospice, and am now doing home health care. And for some reason I feel like I should know more than I do..being a nurse I constantly have friends/family (or even my patients) asking me about symptoms or medications and I never feel like I can give a confident answer. Or when I have conversations with friends of mine who are nurses some longer than me and some not as long, I feel so insecure i our conversations sometimes because they are spewing out terms and meds that I'm not familiar with or don't remember, and I feel like these are things I should know.

I didnt expect to graduate nursing school and know everything but I felt like after almost five years I'd have a better knowledge base and feel more comfortable as a nurse. Part of me thinks it's because most jobs I've onlg stayed in for a year or two and then I've moved on, so maybe I'm not giving myself enough time in each area.

I am currently pretty unhappy in my home health job, and plan on searching for new employment after I am finished my

maternity leave (26 weeks along right now). I don't feel home health is for me, I've been here for 2.5 years but miss the hospital setting. Maybe I haven't found my niche yet and this is why I feel like this..because I still don't really feel like I've found a place in nursing where I feel like this is it, this is what I was meant to do..

any suggestions, thoughts, or similar stories are appreciated!

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

Part of me thinks it's because most jobs I've onlg stayed in for a year or two and then I've moved on, so maybe I'm not giving myself enough time in each area.

Bingo! A year is barely enough time to become competent. Expert takes at least two and more likely three years. Also nurses who work in ER and ICU know a lot about things, but not how to run an Ambco 2500 like school nurses do...we all have a skill set. Don't compare yourself to other people.

Finally, the best advice I ever got from a professor: Work is just work. You may never feel like this is what you were meant to do. But you spent a lot of money and time getting here and you have five years of experience!

If you're looking for meaning and fulfillment, enjoy your baby and volunteer someplace where they need you.

[Rocknurse, MSN, APRN, NP]

Here's a tip for you. Next time there's a pathological condition that you realize you don't know enough about, go on YouTube and watch a couple of short videos about it. There are some excellent resources on there that really help concepts get into your head. I recommend Khan Academy, Dr Been Medical Lectures, and then another user called Armundo Hasudungan. A quick 10 minute lecture can really help you grasp concepts much better than reading a book most of the time.

[cleback]

I agree with the previous posters. I think it may also help to identify your "thing". Not necessarily a nuring specialty, just something in the work you find enjoyable and you're kinda good at. Then watch a few videos, find nursing articles, spend a little extra time on it and become an expert on a small area. It's unrealistic to think you'll know all the answers, even within your specialty, but it may help your confidence to be knowledgeable in a small part of your work. Good luck!