Feeling like a new grad all over again. Stick it out?

[Jaellys]

I switched from small hospital to huge hospital. I’ve only been training for a week and am finding myself overwhelmed. I even have asked help for certain drips that I’ve never given at my small hospital on med surg. I’m overwhelmed by finding who to call for what, where everything is, different and many procedures that I’ve never dealt with.

i guess I feel like I thought this transition would have been smoother since I’ve worked in a hospital. I’m feeling like a new grad all over again and only the basics come to me easily.

how long will it take for me to be comfortable? I just feel ashamed because I have a few years of experience already.

[Kallie3006, ADN]

When I changed hospitals I felt like being a new grad would have been easier, the charting system about killed me. Learning anything new takes time and how much depends on you and the exposure you are getting to whatever element you are having to learn. Look up policies and procedures on whatever drips or procedures you are having to do and familiarize yourself with them. Do you not have a preceptor that is able to help show you this? If not, find out who you need to talk to and who you are able to call and ask. Don't be afraid or ashamed to ask questions or seek help, especially if you don't know.

[JKL33]

Of course stick it out.

12 hours ago, Jaellys said:

I even have asked help for certain drips that I’ve never given at my small hospital on med surg.

No big deal. Just review the med and the associated policies/protocols if applicable, get everything ready to go, then ask someone to double-check you.

12 hours ago, Jaellys said:

I’m overwhelmed by finding who to call for what, where everything is, different and many procedures that I’ve never dealt with.

Yes. No one is expected to know these things to which they've had no previous exposure.

12 hours ago, Jaellys said:

I just feel ashamed because I have a few years of experience already.

Why would you feel ashamed in this situation?

If you are bothered by what your new coworkers might think of you/this situation--your attitude/demeanor is everything; it's basically what will make or break you. If you have a positive attitude, carry yourself with confidence due to your basic competence, thank people for helping you, etc., it'll be okay. Just be pleasant/friendly and straightforward about your previous experience without feeling and conveying negativity just because it was way different.

Keep a little notebook or whatever method you prefer for taking note of new info that you are going to use repeatedly.

I would think this situation is quite a learning curve. Most reasonable people will think that too....so don't do the self-loathing/belittling. ?

Good luck! ??

[NightNerd, MSN, RN]

I don't know if it's the same for everyone, but I feel like a certified idiot the first couple weeks or so of a new job. Even as a nurse with some experience, it still takes time and is distracting to learn the ropes in a new situation - where things are kept, how to find phone numbers or look up policies, who your resources are, etc. Plus, nursing is a field where your experiences are sort of based on chance, so no need to feel bad if you haven't encountered a certain med or something before.

You're only a week in, so I'm guessing you still have a preceptor? Learn from that person where to find the resources you need, and try to demonstrate that you will work out for yourself what you're able to. For example, "I'm not familiar with this medication. I looked it up and know now that x, y, and z are important to monitor. Where can I look up the policy on this med so I know for the future? Are there any other things you think I should know?" Or whatever.

You will get the hang of it! New learning experiences are overwhelming at first, but they are still valuable. You will be just fine; just be patient with yourself ? Good luck!

[TriciaJ, RN]

I changed specialties a few times in my career and it was very intimidating every time. But you forge ahead and the learning curve starts to level off. Eventually you regain confidence, even more so because you successfully navigated a major change. Until the next one...

[Jose9, BSN]

I remember working in a whole new hospital. It definitely takes time and it took me at least 2 months to feel comfortable. I walked into the supply room and it took forever just to find a simple thing. Using different computer programs and looking up policies takes longer than usual. I definitely asked for help a lot the first couple of weeks. I had a small notebook and would write down all the things I would probably forget. You can also talk to the clinical educator on your unit for anything you need help with. It will get easier once you get more comfortable and are there for a while.

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

Every new job needs a three to six month period of getting your feet under you. Its normal. If you go from a small to a huge facility, yes, you are going to have culture shock and the acclimating period will be intense. Same with every time you switch specialties.

Definitely give yourself time. There is nothing here to feel ashamed of and nobody worth their salt is judging you.

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

The shame is on the hospital for not orienting you safely.

[llg, PhD, RN]

2 hours ago, Nurse Beth said:

The shame is on the hospital for not orienting you safely.

I don't see anything suggesting that she is not being oriented properly. She describes herself as being "in training." It sounds to me as if the original poster is simply overwhelmed by how different her new workplace is that her previous one. As other posters have said, that's pretty normal. Just about everyone takes a few months to feel comfortable in a new place. That's especially true when you move from a small hospital to a large medical center.

Hang in there Jaelly's! Don't feel bad about feeling uncomfortable and a bit overwhelmed. That's normal. Find a few good resources (preceptors, unit educators, charge nurses, co-workers, etc.) who can give you some help and support when needed. Establish good relationships with them so that you feel you are among supporters when you start to feel overwhelmed.

[Workitinurfava, BSN, RN]

Stay calm and carry on. Ask any questions to help you learn and if your preceptor is not around ask who is. Your preceptor and your team will be needed to help you adjust. Give yourself time to think of what to do before asking for help because you know more than you think and also you want to come across like you gave it your best effort before seeking help. Do things safely. Take notes so that you can reference them later on. During your down time review what you were trained on in your head or if possible by walking through it.

[Epidural, BSN, RN]

Great advice!!!! Just remember that in a large hospital some patients that you previously considered "step-down" patients will be on a med-surg floor, and patients that you think should be in "critical-care" may be on a "step-down" unit. Hang in there with a smile on your face, and keep projecting a can-do attitude, even if you don't feel that way....yet. The learning opportunities in a large hospital are invaluable; you may find that you love working in such a challenging and rewarding environment.

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

I've oriented to new specialties four times. Each time you do it you'll be more confident in your ability to adapt and learn. It's just a matter of time and continuing to work at it. Don't worry about appearing smart, it's the people that ask good questions that I consider good learners. You WILL ask a dumb question, and knowing you're willing to appear less than perfect for the benefit of the patient will give your preceptor confidence in you. I say, just keep moving forward, and know that no nurse can slide into a new job without hiccups.