First week of work down as a GN and I am struggling!

[1Jessie86]

I just completed my first week working on a medical surgical floor at a hospital as a GN, fresh out of school and I feel like a complete idiot. I'm currently being precepted. I have 15 more weeks of preceptorship.

I struggled with everything it seems:

~Giving hand off reports

~PICC cap changes

~Tying the disease process together

~Patient teaching...

Will it get better or is this a sign that I need to pursue a different direction? Can you share your experiences as a new nurse?

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

((((Hugs)))) If you *thought* you had it all together after only one week in med-surg, I would be worried. Very worried. Med-surg is tough, and you're brand new. Be kind to yourself; it will get better.

[PomMom65]

It gets better!

[Altra, BSN, RN]

You are exactly where a new grad would be expected to be after one week. Some awareness of where you're struggling is even a bonus.

[Tenebrae, BSN, RN]

Be kind to yourself, it does get better

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

One week? I'm pretty sure that after one week I would not have been able to navigate the internet- such was my confusion.

Take a deep breath- you'll get there!

[icuRNmaggie, BSN, RN]

If these are the areas your your preceptor wants you to master, just do it.

You are a trainee. Say thank you I will work on this.

[Lev, MSN, RN, NP]

You are right where you should be. Don't give up! Besides for PICC cap changes (which comes from practice - it's a skill) your other areas for growth come with time, knowledge, and experience.

My experience as a new nurse was horrible. I had issues with time management and a preceptor who was not patient enough to answer my thousands of questions or work with me. She told me that I had to let my antibiotic warm to room temp before giving it (totally not necessary I know now. I understand an IV push antibiotic and a fragile small vein, but not an infusion) and then I ended up giving it late and getting in trouble for meds being late. The first time I had an opportunity to give a blood transfusion she ended up taking over because she got impatient with me and time to hang it was running out. I learned to ask other people questions, switched units, got an awesome preceptor who put up with me and learned to juggle 6-7 patients.

[Larry3373]

I had a bad experience as a new grad. Medsurg with 5-6 patients. I had no prior healthcare experience other than clinicals. My preceptor didn't teach me but expected me to already know everything. Also she was fairly new herself (1.5 years). Just ask a ton of questions any time you have the slightest doubt about anything. If you are getting behind and need help, don't hesitate to ask for help. Yes, you will get the hang of it eventually, but some days you will struggle no matter how good you are.

[HikingEDRN, BSN, RN]

I wasn't even a new nurse (2 years) but I went from NICU (as in neonates, not neuro) to adult/peds ED. I had only ever done NICU. Oh man, it was a learning curve. Plus, my preceptor was relatively new to precepting and I think she thought I knew more than I did because I was an "experienced nurse."

Okay, here goes. Everyone else, please don't laugh at me ... at least not too hard. My first day, I asked her what a Norco was (babies don't swallow pills). I had never heard of nitro paste - lol. I didn't have the hand coordination to start an IV by myself - baby IVs are a group effort and everyone hands you what you need. I had to get used to the fact that I don't want to see these vitals on the screen: 150, 40, 70/40 and 92% (perfectly happy with that in my old job). I had to convince everyone that I was not an expert in pediatrics because I never took care of anyone over several months old. I also had to tell them that I was not well versed in fetal heart tones. I kept thinking, but I can't take another patient, I'm not finished with this one yet - lol. And then another ... and another. I kept asking questions and more questions.

I hope this post is not too long. The good news is that I made it and no one suffered any lasting harm - even my preceptor. You will too

[imintrouble, BSN, RN]

I can remember that walking the sidewalk to the front door, felt like I was walking to my doom. Like a horror movie, with the side walk stretching on forever. The green mile.

It was that was for months. Not days or weeks. Months.

If I'd had any choice, I'd have run screaming in the opposite direction.

I was so brave:nailbiting:

[applewhitern, BSN, RN]

I cannot even imagine getting that many weeks with a preceptor! I had 5 days of orientation as a new grad, 27 years ago.