new grad bout to start

*Andrea* · Jan 12, 2007

You will be orientated for many weeks. I haven't started a job yet but I've pretty much been told quite a bit. The nurses don't expect you to know everything, you're only beginning! From what I hear, the real learning starts once you graduate. Don't be afraid to ask questions, a cocky new nurse is no good, it's better to ask for help if you are unsure.

As far as my skills go...my school has a complete skills lab where you must return demonstrate skills before you can pass. I have practiced trach care on a dummy (which IM SURE is nothing like doing it on a real person), I have inserted and removed foley's in the hospital, I've inserted an IV a couple of times, but that's about it. I've observed alot more than actually performing a ton of procedures, and even for the ones that I have performed, I don't feel competent enough to be able to do them alone in a new job yet. Transitioning to actually being the nurse takes awhile, and they know that at your new job. I'm sure that you know alot more than you think, give yourself some credit, and don't be afraid to ask for help if you are unsure.

AngelsRN · Jan 13, 2007

I did not get to do a foley, an IM injection or much of anything besides meds during school. Dont worry . . . you will get plenty of experience as your orient and even if you did not do a foley while orienting, when you have that first one, just bring another nurse with you for support and guidance. I am just finishing my first year as a nurse and am still learning and still am being exposed to things I have never seen before. The learning does not stop and you will learn quickly which nurses will help you and which will not. Good Luck!

RNSacht · Jan 13, 2007

:smilecoffeeIlovecof Im quickly approaching my one year mark of being a nurse!!!!!!! Feb 6th is the day I started at my current job!!!!! You will learn so much:idea: and there will ALWAYS be things you dont know. The hardest thing for me to learn was to accept that it is OKAY to say "I dont know" but always be willing to learn more:typing Just enjoy the ride and remember how hard you worked to get to this point:smiley_ab Congratulations on being a nurse and keep us all posted. This site is saving me a lot of money on therapy:lol2: I just come to this site, vent and read that other people feel the same and I truly feel better. GOOD LUCK:icon_hug:

cardiac.cure03 · Jan 14, 2007

I just graduated in Nov 06. And if it makes ya feel any better, I just inserted my very FIRST foley catheter last week!

Ari RN, BSN, RN · Jan 14, 2007

I just graduated in Nov 06. And if it makes ya feel any better, I just inserted my very FIRST foley catheter last week!

:yelclap:CONGRAT'S

AuntieRN · Jan 14, 2007

breezy....CONGRATS!!!!

And yes you will get trained. I graduated in August...started my job The begining of November...Just finishing up my 3rd week on my own. Its still very scary to me every day....there's lots of things I do not know how to do...but I am not afraid to admit or ask for help...I have asked some of the dumbest questions...but it is better to ask...then to not ask and harm a patient....

Good luck to you!!!

mslpn210 · Jan 14, 2007

thanks for all of the comments!...

linzz · Jan 24, 2007

I am a new grad too and I feel the same way. I just keep telling myself to breathe and relax, and it will get better soon.

renee_hywd · Jan 24, 2007

I know what you mean. I just graduated and I start work monday and i did not get a chance to do alot of stuff while i was in clinical. But good luck to you and i am sure you will do GREAT!!!

hlfpnt, BSN, RN · Jan 25, 2007

Is it just me...
first off, im educated! but my problem is I didn't get a lot of hands on at my clinical in school
I'm SCARED of the job. I haven't ever taken a full nurse responsibility and have no idea how it works!!! Are they expecting that, and training me or are they expecting me to know how to do everything and throwin me to the dogs after the first week?
nervous about orienting............ please comments.. are the other new grads on here feeling like they know how to do all skills?
and how many of you all didn't get to do skills in school such as catheterizing a pt or trach care or anything? I saw these things done, but never had the oppurtunity to do them

Hi breezy!

I graduated August 11 & went to work 2 weeks later. I've been on my own for almost 2 months. I was very scared, too...I don't know anybody who isn't. I'm just now finding that "comfort zone" I keep reading about. I still have fears (& hopefully always will) & ask alot of questions. Depending on where you go to work, sooner or later you will get to do all the things you missed doing in school & your preceptor will be right there with you. I didn't do a female foley until I went to work. No, they don't expect you to know everything. If you can get in on a good new grad training program, you won't be thrown to the dogs either. Hang in there...the first few months are hard, but you can do it!

jjjoy, LPN · Jan 25, 2007

Hold out for a good new grad program if you can. Some facilities will push new grads to work on their own faster than others and give them a hard time if they don't come prepared with lots of clinical experience (snide remarks like "What did they teach you in school anyway?").

Since you are particularly worried about this, don't let an enthusiastic nurse recruiter convince you that "you'll pick things up quickly" and "be just fine" with a skimpy 3 week orientation or the like. A good facility will respect your acknowledgement of your perceived weaknesses and work with you instead of brushing your concerns off or making you feel inferior for admitting what you need to work on.

Try to find a hospital with low turnover (which probably isn't the one sending you fliers every week tempting you with big sign-on bonuses), find out if they have specific times that they run new grad programs, and see if you can get your foot in the door there (eg talk directly to some nurse managers, volunteer on the floor, etc).

Good luck!