Feeling Frazzled!!

Nurses New Nurse

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I have started my new position as an RN in a hospital that is new to me. I'm on a general medical unit and I've never had any experience with this before. I've only had internships in the ER and on a cardiac unit. I will have orientation until the end of March, but I feel like I just will not be ready!! There is so much to learn and the more I work the more incompetent I feel! I have always been able to catch on pretty quick, but I don't feel this way now. With all of this new stuff I'm learning there just doesn't seem to be enough room for much else. I'm having a hard time finding my way around on the unit. There are about 4 brown doors and after opening 3 of them, I usually get it right! Does becoming a ditz usually occur once graduating?? :confused:

Do other new RN's feel the same way? I'm hoping I'm not alone here! :) Or are there any helpful "words of wisdom" that anyone can offer?

Thanks for sharing your experiences!

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sounds perfectly normal to me. You are right, there is a lot to learn and you feel pressured to know it all RIGHT NOW. Do you have a preceptor or mentor to talk to about your concerns? If not, single out an experienced nurse and ask can you talk about issues occassionally. You have a lot on your mind, so it is easy to make mistakes. So focus on caring for your patient and forget the brown doors. Heck, I still go into rooms and wonder why I am there and it is in MY HOUSE. It will come. Give it time.

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You are normal.. :)

I work on a Orthopedic floor, and I had been working there through school as a PCA, but now as a RN its a whole new game. And I still have to ask where things are. My floor is extremely busy, I am working night shift... And I had 9 last night (I'm still in orientation) to take care of, the max is 13each on night shift. I was so busy with my 9, that I didn't know if I was coming or going.. But they say it will get better :) I HOPE SO :)lol

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It does get better! I've been out of nursing school for almost 2 years. I'm still learning stuff and asking myself "How have I been functioning all along without this knowledge?" You will do great!

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It is perfectly normal for you to feel overwhelmed. I graduated in December and feel like I have a TON to learn, but you know what, that is ok. At least you feel incompetent enough that you are probably triple checking everything and being a very thorough RN. Better to be safe. Remember, you are brand spanking new and try to look at the end of each day all the cool stuff you got to do, see and learn and come back the next day with experience. You can always ask questions. All the nurses on my floor do NOT expect me to know everything and would seriously doubt me if I did. Stay strong, you are an excellent nurse in progress!!

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I have been a nurse since birth, it feel like sometimes. They are always springing new stuff on me. Can you believe the nerve of all these people promoting change!!! I have gone from individual med cards, these 2x2 inch things that were color coded for BID and TID and you usually ended up playing 52 pick up with them, to Now pre printed MAR's.

IV's 28 years ago were simple, you too a needle from all the other IM type needles and use it to start IV's. We thought the butterfly was an ingenous invention. Glass IV bottles. Giant Gomco pumps a huge ugly machine by the bedside.......

Relax, it all works out and the new stuff will start to be small stuff and do I have to say it..Yeah, I will don't sweat the small stuff !!!!!!!!

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