I'm sure that, since I know so many who were hired around the same time I was, there are a lot of new grads out there who are about a month off of orientation. I'd love to hear about your overall impression! Sharing makes me feel better. So far...it's going okay for me. Here are my reflections:
I work days right now. Every evening prior to a work day I feel like I'm going to be sick. Heck, every time I think about my next work day I feel a little woozy. I complained about this to a coworker and she said "Oh, that sounds about right! Completely normal." It made me feel so much better. I'm glad I work with people who will listen to these concerns.
Everyone keeps saying "Give yourself a year!" "You'll never forget this first year." I wish I could magically wake up next year - with all the experience, of course.
In a way, I think the anxiety is a blessing. My constant cross checking and self doubt drives me to ask for help when I need it. I've asked some really really stupid questions.
I'm not going to lie and say I have made no mistakes. Some days are worse than others. I know I'll make more mistakes in the future, though I go to work each shift and say to myself "Today - one thing at a time! Do your best!"
There's a lot I have to improve on. A lot. I get so mad at myself when I realize I missed information in the chart or look at the EMAR and see a med is late. I'm surprised by how time flies. I feel like there must be a wormhole through spacetime from the 8:00 hour to 12:00 because I sure as heck always look up at the clock at noon and wonder where the time went.
It's all worth it when I get one sincere 'thank you.'
