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Discussion

First job

I'm a new nurse and gonna start orientation soon. I admit I'm a bit nervous. I'm scared I don't know enough or if I'm going to do something wrong...or they might fire me because I lack experience with working with certain types of equipment...I mean, I went to a good nursing school where my clinical instructors tried to show me as much as possible, but clinicals can't cover everything. Am I the only one who feels this way? Some of my other classmates who've been working already make it look so simple, and I'm scared to ask how they've felt getting their first job.

I'm not sure if this goes for everyone or if it's just me...to be honest, I've always had confidence issues. I just hope this just turns out like other jobs (unrelated to nursing) that I've had in the past; slow in the beginning but eventually getting the swing of things. It's just that this is different for me...this is something that I'm going to be doing for a huge portion if not, the rest of my life, and of course, with huger responsibilities. I just want to do everything right for the patients/clients/etc. and figure out what type of nursing I can focus on to pursue more and feel useful to society. A part of me feels foolish as if I will never be good enough, like I was an idiot to think I could be a nurse. Externally I just suck it up because that's life, but this is why I appreciate anonymity on the internet :cool:

Am I just overthinking things?

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    Its probably just nerves. They can't fire you for not knowing all the equipment. I'm sure they know this is your first nursing job. Obviously you passed nursing school and your NCLEX. You are prepared. Don't let nerves get to you because then you will second guess yourself and/or make mistakes. Good luck. :up:

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    Depending on where you work and the orientation you get, it may or may not be conducive to your desired style of learning. Don't fret, learn as much as possible and keep an open mind. Good luck in your new adventure!

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    A part of me feels foolish as if I will never be good enough, like I was an idiot to think I could be a nurse. Externally I just suck it up because that's life, but this is why I appreciate anonymity on the internet :cool:

    Am I just overthinking things?

    Yes.

    Getting your nursing school diploma now qualifies you to learn how to be a nurse. No one expects you to know everything or function like an experienced nurse. You are brand-new...cut yourself some slack!

    Ask questions, be honest about what you don't understand, and seek out any opportunity to see and do new things; you'll be fine. I honestly only worry about the new nurses who think they know everything already--those are the scary ones.

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    Try not to worry. One foot in front of the other! I'm a new nurse as well. Started in September, I remember feeling similar to you. But with each passing day I've learned something and am feeling more confident. Of course there's good and bad days, but you can do this.

    Nursing school teaches you the bare minimum to practice safely. There too much to learn to fit it all in to school. Find a mentor. Ask questions. Don't be afraid to try something new. Set goals for yourself, and when you meet those, set new ones. My 1st few weeks I never thought I could handle 3 pts, let alone the 6 we have on our floor. Now I'm managing 6, and starting to be able to look ahead and look at the plan for each pt. And the big picture. You'll be there before you know it.

    My best advice is don't be too hard on yourself. Everyone has been in your shoes, whether they admit it or not. Instead of being fearful, approach it with the attitude of "what can I learn today"? As soon as I changed my thinking, I started finding more success! Good luck! You got this....you're more prepared then you think!

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