Brand new nurse already OVERWHELMED and panicking

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RhondaGayle

16 Posts

Get your feet under you and find your niche. It may not be the floor. I'm an introvert and found my place in the OR. One patient at a time and just when I run out of things to talk about...they're asleep. :) Hang in there. We all felt overwhelmed at first. Every day will be better than the last.

eskhape

1 Post

While I'm sorry you're experiencing this, I'm glad you posted this. I'm a new grad and I feel EXACTLY the same way about being overwhelmed and anxious. I was starting to think I was just really dense because most things still aren't "clicking". NOW they tell me it'll be a year before it makes sense! :laugh:

Specializes in Telemetry, Case Management.

How did you survive nursing school?!?

I am a new grad as well and I can completely relate! I feel like a moron at least daily haha.

cleback

1,381 Posts

How did you survive nursing school?!?

That's pretty snarky. Not cool.

Semper_Gumby

152 Posts

Being in a new city at your first nursing job is tough. Relax! You're new at this and it takes time to feel comfortable in a new place, new job, new role, etc. Give yourself grace. You've been given some good advice and I would only add, don't be so busy focusing on and telling yourself all the things you're doing wrong that you miss the things you're doing right. Celebrate the small victories. It gets better. Good luck!

RNEDKAT

9 Posts

It is perfectly natural to feel completely overwhelmed in your first nursing job. The transition from the safety of the classroom to being a real RN takes a good year. I started as a nurse on a telemetry floor. There were not alot of med-surg patients. After several years, I transitioned to long-term acute care where I worked with vents, wound vacs, very sick people, managing all kinds of lines. I felt like I was a new grad all over again. I stuck it out and I looked up procedures, i watched videos on YouTube, reread my books etc. I am currently working in Staff Development and I run the orientation programs for the new nurses. I am also a MSN student in Nursing Education. I have been in my current position for ten months. It was another huge learning curve. I hope you will be gentle on yourself and stop the negative self-talk. Start a journal and write one thing a day that you accomplished.

As far as talking to patients, look around the room. Comment on books, cards, pictures. Have a conversation about the weather, flowers in the room, grandchildren etc. The more you converse with people, it will become part of your routine. I wish you good luck in your position and stick with it.

Specializes in Surgical, CVICU & Oncology, Med/Surg.

I'm late to this post but after reading it, I hope everything worked out. It's been approximately 6 months since this post. Out of curiosity, how are you doing now @brandnewRN1. Any updates? Feeling any better now, past orientation? Keep us posted please

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