Feeling Stupid As a New RN

Updated:   Published

Hello all, 

I'm a new RN. I've been an RN since August of this year. I was hired at my local hospital and completed a StaRN program. I'm in my last couple of weeks of preceptorship and I feel incompetent.

I feel like I'm not sure how I would handle things on my own. I've came a long way since beginning preceptorship, but I'm not sure if I'm ready to take care of 6 patients completely by myself. I feel like the knowledge is there, but I wonder if I can actually apply it. I did very well in school.

I feel like I don't have the critical thinking abilities like other nurses do and that I'm not fast enough. If I didn't have help sometimes, I would drown. Which causes me to think that I'd drown alone as a new nurse.

I want to learn. I want to be a good and competent nurse who can handle anything thrown at them. But I'm wondering if hospital nursing is not for me. If I left the hospital, I would have to repay the cost of the StaRN program which is a lot.

Could someone please give me some encouraging words?

Thank you!! 

3
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).

"Feel" is the key word here, BabyTurtle. Our feelings are based in emotions and not necessarily on logic of any kind. Feeling stupid is a label we stick on ourselves.

The anxiety you're experiencing on not having the "critical thinking abilities like other nurses do" is the result of emotions, also. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. Anxiety often gives us the energy to act. If we can channel that anxiety and the subsequent energy toward learning how to "be a good and competent nurse who can handle anything thrown at them", anxiety can be a good thing.

The vast majority of us were anxious and doubtful of our abilities when we were fresh nurses. But through time, repetition, and association we became better and more sure of ourselves.

Being sure of yourself will happen, BabyTurtle. Just give it some time and experience and keep on desiring to be a good nurse.

The very best to you.

12
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).

What Davey said!

Hppy

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, PICU, CM, DM.

Realize that no one starts out being able to "handle anything that's thrown at them." Most get there eventually, but it takes time and experience. At this point, if you are able to handle a full, or close to full, assignment on a "good" day when there are no crises, you are doing well. You really shouldn't be trying to handle emergencies or unusual situations on your own this early. Relying on input or actual hands-on assistance from more senior staff and your charge nurse is entirely appropriate. Let them help you, and when you get home, do some "Monday morning quarterbacking" and think about what went wrong and right, keep a journal if that helps. Adjusting your expectations is what will help you reduce your performance anxiety, and allow those critical thinking skills to come to the surface. 

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, ER, Home Health, Corrections, School Nurse.

It takes time.  What every nurse wishes is to be super nurse on day one, and it just isn't happening.  Nursing isn't just a set of skills that you learn and bam! now you're a nurse.   Nursing is an evolution; you learn and you grow;  and you never stop learning and growing.  If you compare yourself to seasoned nurse, you will always feel  inferior.  So just realize it's going to be hard, and you just have to push through it.  And you will make mistakes, and you will do dumb stuff, and you will learn and be the better for it.  Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

Don’t give up now, it is too early. There are certainly people that don’t do well in the hospital environment, but you have to give yourself a fair shake. Give it at the minimum 1 year. The first year is the hardest, but you will get better and will feel better. I won’t sugarcoat it though, it sucks. I did very well in school, too, and there are things I’ve done on my own as a new nurse...well we will just say I’m glad I didn’t kill anyone. Keep your head up and learn from the mistakes you make, and ask for help all the time, no matter how you think it makes your coworkers feel. Be gracious and thankful. You will get through it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Prepare well and develop your routine in a timely manner. Get the basics mastered. The rest will come with experience.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion