First few days on the job - feeling lost

Published Oct 9, 2018

2018nurseandbeyond

38 Posts

I'm hoping this feeling of incompetency ( doing med passes slow) starts to wash off? I read everyone goes through this sense of dread and fear but I am curious, has anyone felt their nursing knowledge just run out of their head? Like my preceptor asked me about ileostomy care and I had no clue what to say at all. Most of my answers were uhhh... idk. She was understanding as this is my second day, but I dont want that to be my catchphrase.

I can give meds, simple insulin finger sticks and oral passes but I am assigned to 15-19 pt on my unit + admissions and discharge. I'm scared for my liscense and am wondering if there's something I could read to refresh my knowledge? Protocol and textbook feels like two worlds.

I don't feel overwhelmed as I could be, I have a clear head when giving meds, but I'm just really... confused? What to chart, what to document? What is the most important for hand-off shift reports... when to call MD when it's not a RRT?

I am learning a lot? My preceptor says I'm catching things quickly, but I just dont feel confident in the sense of being a well-rounded nurse about meds and care and whats protocol and what's nursing judgement.