First day of First RN job this week-nervous

meljam · Feb 20, 2011

Just remember what u did learn, ask questions and be afraid to try!

I was the same way 4 years ago when I got my degree and my first job was in ER!

Most nurses will tell you, everything you truly learn about nursing you learn on the job

Good luck to you!

You will do fine

NursTracy · Feb 20, 2011

well im not an rn but when i landed my first job as an lvn it was home health dealing with pediatric pts. my first pt was a 1 year old boy who has a g tube a trach and was vent dependent :eek: i was sooo nervous and like meljam said u learn in school but u really learn when u actually do it. it was very scarry and nerv wrecking for me cause i oriented with the other nurse for only1 hr and that was it and to make things worse the mother and family were all there to watch if i was doing everything correctly but i was honest with them and i wasnt afraid to ask and even demonstrate how she did some of the care soo dont be scared to ask and try not to be nervous which im sure u will and theres always gonna be someone wholl help u out good luck and stay positive!!

tracy:heartbeat

everthesame, LPN, LVN · Feb 20, 2011

It is perfectly normal to be nervous and every nurse has a first day on the floor at their first job. Make the most of your orientation and ask questions and ask your preceptor to let you in on any procedures being done on the unit that you need experience with. Of course, a good preceptor already knows a new nurse needs these experiences and will be looking out for these opportunities.

Don't stress too much about the pyxis set ups and all of the other little sign-ons and codes you need to do your job. Your first day is set up with only one patient so you can have time to get these things done. If you run into any problems, you are working under a preceptor and they should be able to obtain meds for you until the issue is resolved.

Congrats on the new job and just keep reminding yourself that nearly every nurse has experienced the first job anxieties. Also tell yourself that one day you will no longer be that shiny, new, nervous nurse and that some day you will be the old pro.

glutton4punishment · Feb 20, 2011

Yay! What an exciting time for you...New things to learn. "Firsts" are great, enjoy this time in your career, b/c in 6 months these skills will be second nature to you, and no big deal. Congratulations on your new life, and remember that when you make a mistake, it is really just a learning process. Good luck!

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Feb 20, 2011

Natural to be nervous. You're going to feel "stupid" for a while. That's okay. Eventually you'll become comfortable and won't toss and turn the night before you go to work.

kac332 · Feb 20, 2011

Don't worry! I know it's easier said than done but on your first day you will most likely be shadowing most of the day until you get the hang of things. No one will expect a brand new nurse to place an IV. I didn't place a foley until I was an RN either but you'll get plenty of practice :) Seasoned nurses KNOW that those are skills you need to learn. You are most likely ahead of the curve since you are familiar with the floor from clinical. Try to think positively and breathe! You'll do fine! Good luck!

ticklemenita · Feb 20, 2011

Yes it is normal to feel that way. You can youtube the videos about the skills sometimes it helps seeing it get done. My hospital has mosby videos available. It helps me to decrease anxiety by reading up on things like policy and procedures. I may have not completed a foley but I can tell you the steps on how to do one and the materials I will need. That is kinda the initiative the preceptor may be looking for. Then again they may want you to do things their way. In that case do not argue with them. Keep in mind they chose you for a reason it was not an accident and you do fine!

I got very fortunate to have landed a days tele job at a hospital I did a student-internship at. I am fairly familiar with the facility, some of the paperwork, charting, etc. I just finished the general nursing orienation yesterday.
Wednesday is my first day on the floor with my preceptor. We'll do 12's. We use RN educators who make our schedules and kinda "assign" us...by that I mean on my schedule, she wrote, day one- 1 pt, day two-2 pt, day 2-2 pt, etc....
BUT seeing as it's my very first day on the floor I have to set up my pyxis access (which i need help with) and make sure all my log in's work, etc. I wish they would've had us do that last week?!?!?
I've never started an IV (our program didn't teach this), never inserted a foley, never changed a central line dressing, etc....I feel like I'm already behind and I havent' even started yet! Is it normal to feel so nervous!!???
Any advice for the first day for a new grad, new RN?

meghan91 · Feb 20, 2011

congrats on getting such a good job esp. days right out of school!! i am in nursing school now to become a RN and i can only imagine how nervous ill be my first day as a RN...like everyone said its ok to be nervous its totally normal...you are prepared no matter what you think because your nerves are taking over right now...just relax and ask questions no matter how stupid or silly you might think they are if you need help just ask dont feel nervous asking anyone for help...chances are youll get a little tounge tied talking to the patients for the first few days but after that youll get right into the swing of things...good luck! an remeber everyone working there has had many first days either the first day as a RN or first day at many jobs everyone knows what its like to be in your position

RNJoInMI · Feb 21, 2011

Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes...I was a basket case my first day on the floor. I had never hung blood, never started an IV, never inserted a foley, never did an EKG, never drew labs, never worked with a PICC, never...., never..., never.... BUT, I have now! It's called courage. Be afraid, take a deep breath and do it anyway. I am so proud of how far I have came in just a few weeks. You will have a ton of firsts, and just remember COURAGE. Hold your head up high, take a deep breath, steady your hands, and act like you have done the procedure a 1000 times. You might be scared to death, but don't let it show. Good luck to you, I am sure you will do well. Be brave!!!!

dawn.b-RN · Feb 21, 2011

THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have spent the day studying cardiac meds...I just feel like I should study something! Two more days to mentally prep myself!

cosmicnurse · Dec 30, 2017

Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes...I was a basket case my first day on the floor. I had never hung blood, never started an IV, never inserted a foley, never did an EKG, never drew labs, never worked with a PICC, never...., never..., never.... BUT, I have now! It's called courage. Be afraid, take a deep breath and do it anyway. I am so proud of how far I have came in just a few weeks. You will have a ton of firsts, and just remember COURAGE. Hold your head up high, take a deep breath, steady your hands, and act like you have done the procedure a 1000 times. You might be scared to death, but don't let it show. Good luck to you, I am sure you will do well. Be brave!!!!

Love this response! I'm a new grad who will start work shortly and hearing this is very reassuring! â¤ï¸