Feeling VERY Incompetent

[kyfitch]

So, I am now in my very last semester of my BSN program, and now is the time that I am preparing for the NCLEX as well as creating a solid resume to apply for jobs. The problem is, I feel VERY inadequate and not confident at all in what I have "supposedly" learned while in school, and the skills that I have "supposedly" been shown in clinical rotations. I feel like basic knowledge that I should have a grasp of I just simply don't know. I honestly believe that if I were to pass the NCLEX, any institution that hired me in would immediately fire me after seeing how incredibly incompetent I am. I know that we aren't supposed to know everything as a new grad, and I also know that minor mistakes will be made. However, I also know that basic knowledge is expected and I really don't feel like I'm anywhere near prepared as far as knowledge base or clinical skills goes in order to be able to practice. Can anyone please give me some advice on what I should do in this situation? I do not want to be "that guy" when I become a new nurse on the floor.

[Wuzzie]

I keep hearing about how much nurses get treated horribly, and I know it will happen to me for the reasons explained previously. I just really hope that I can learn quickly enough to not be harassed and keep my job.

There is absolutely no reason to believe this. Whoever is feeding this claptrap to you should be ashamed of themselves. Yes it's true that there are some nasty people who go into nursing but their numbers are small and their are many more good people. Find yourself a mentor (even if it isn't your preceptor) who will be your ally as you navigate this whole new experience.

[DeeAngel]

I always found it helpful to go in a bit early and write my patient information down before I took report. If you do this, you are ready to hit the ground running after report and that can give you a huge head start on things and make you feel less rushed.

[Spartacvs, BSN]

Welcome to Nursing KY...

Don't take this the wrong way... You are incompetent!!!

However... we all started out that way. :)

School gave you a very rudementery idea of nursing.

It set you up to be a sponge... jam all this knowledge into our brains, absorb most of it, and be able to function. (just like a sponge)

Reality is different than school and you will learn so much once you are on the job. There are going to be so many people that are going to help you become competent.

Over time you will be competent.

Embrace the sponge!!!

lol

-Matt-

[kyfitch, BSN]

Wow, thank you all so much for this feedback. It really means a lot to me. If I get as much support on the job as I do from all of you I should be in great shape. I'll always look for the information or procedures myself first, however knowing when to ask appropriate questions is definitely important, and I'm glad you all have given me insight on how you would approach that.

[Lame]

When I first started out 9 months ago, I felt very incompetent. I was so nauseous on my 1st day of being on the floor! But I learned how to adapt. It took some time, but I learned. I had a great preceptor who showed me the ropes. All nursing school does is give you a foundation. You actually learn on the job as you go. Believe me, it gets better every day. What you're feeling is normal. I still feel incompetent. It seems like every day something new pops up. But I definitely have a better handle on things than I did 9 months ago as to what questions I should be asking and why. Hang in there!

[kyfitch, BSN]

Welcome to Nursing KY...

Don't take this the wrong way... You are incompetent!!!

However... we all started out that way. :)

School gave you a very rudementery idea of nursing.

It set you up to be a sponge... jam all this knowledge into our brains, absorb most of it, and be able to function. (just like a sponge)

Reality is different than school and you will learn so much once you are on the job. There are going to be so many people that are going to help you become competent.

Over time you will be competent.

Embrace the sponge!!!

lol

-Matt-

hahaha, thanks Matt

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

I've always been a big question-asker. What I learned during orientation was the ART of questioning. The who/what/when/where of asking questions is crucial to know. Here are a few of the biggies.

Questions don't necessarily need to be asked when they arise. Some can wait until a calmer, quieter moment. Make notes to remind yourself of the question.

Questions don't necessarily need to be asked of the one who was there when the question arose. They usually can be asked of another nurse; say, one who appears to be more open to questions.

Questions don't always need to be answered by someone else. Some questions can be researched at home or on your next break.

Questions should always be asked in a constructive, non-confrontational way. Believe it or not, I've had orientees fire questions at me that were barely disguised as questions. Instead, they were more of a challenge as to why or how I did something, when the why/how apparently did not conform to a pre-conceived notion.

Just a few "rules" that come to mind.

This is a very nice summary of questions and how to (or not to) ask them! Thank you!

[nrsang97, BSN, RN]

You have gotten some great advice. We all feel like we are incompetent when we start. As time goes on we feel more comfortable. Know who you can ask questions to. I am a rapid response nurse and I still feel like I don't know things. As a nurse of over 15 years I still bounce things off my collegues. The new grads that make me nervous are the ones that do not ask any quesions. You can do this. I see you are on the opposite side of the state from me. I am closer to the Detroit area. I wish you the best of luck. If you don't find any jobs on the West side of the state come on over to the other side. We are hiring :)

[chacha82, ADN, BSN]

I am 1.5 years in and learn new things every shift! YES at the beginning I felt very unsure of myself but watch your preceptor, stick close to them and take advantage of all opportunities that come your way. Do not "zone out" or think that stuff is boring or not important just because they're not coding someone at the time. Treat everyone on the floor with respect as they will have your back. The secretaries, transport, housekeeping and lab folks just to name a few! They see/know/remember far more than you may think. When others stir the pot just ignore it and do your thing. Once you start seeing the same stuff over and over again you will be less intimidated. Make sure you have a decent orientation wherever you are hired - I got 12 weeks as a new grad when I started. You will do great!

[NotYourMamasRN]

I feel like when I was a new nurse I thought I knew a lot because school and the NCLEX wasn't much of a challenge for me, I am book smart. But then I hit the floor and realized I didn't know turd. What they say is true, what you learn in school is really different from the real world.

[FlufferNutter, ASN, RN]

the fact that you are worried about it speaks wonders. No nursing student graduates with the entirety of everything....I know that sounds lame. But, it's true. Best advice I can give you as a brand new nurse? You suck....you will learn more as you go.....and you already know more than you can even imagine. Have confidence in yourself....you earned it

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

Experience and willingness to learn are all you need. The nursing school fundamentals are just a foundation.

Another thing. The disgruntled ones make the loudest noise. The happy ones don't need to post much so take all the bad stuff you hear with a huge grain of salt.

I have always loved having male nurses around. I enjoy their different approach and attitude about things and it is a nice break from all the estrogen ha ha.

You will do fine.