First Hospital Job

[LilimoonRN]

Hi everyone! I just passed my NCLEX about 3 weeks ago and received a job offer at a med surg floor. I am super excited and happy for the position and can't wait to start! but also very nervous I didn't ask how long training would be and just worried to mess up in general. During my preceptorship I always woke up with a knot in my stomach feeling super anxious...but as the day went on I felt fine, more confident and happy, but it was always the night before or morning that i'd wake up thinking, I hope I don't hurt someone, i hope i don't say something dumb... etc. Did any of you feel this way with your first hospital job? does this anxiety feeling before your shift ever go away?

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

Going from nursing school to real world nursing is going to come with a reality check- and it's perfectly normal to feel nervous. Generally, it will take about a year to feel competent and confident as a new nurse (or even as a nurse changing specialties). Just be aware that there will be good days and bad days. Talk with your preceptor, set yourself goals, and get feedback. Even after your official orientation is over, don't be afraid to ask questions for things you've never done/seen. We'd rather you ask the questions and get it right than go ahead and do something that could negatively impact a patient because you were afraid to ask. Also, even if it's tough, try to stick with that first job for at least a year if not two. It's hard to get to the point of competence and confidence if one keeps starting over in a new job.