I worry about if I will be a good nurse...

[tenjuna, MSN]

I just wrote a lengthy post in one of the student forums, and it brought up a fear I had that I had not considered asking about until just now. I wanted to get thoughts and opinions...maybe someone else had the same fear way back when.

In short, I am worried about what quality of nurse I am going to make when I am struggling mightily with nursing school. The material itself is not a problem and I do very well with patients in clinicals. I have found that so far I am falling short with critical thinking skills, which I know to be very important. I feel like I am getting better at it, though woefully short of my comfort level with actual caring for patients. I am barely passing nursing school, and this after a huge level of ongoing effort. I am fully committed and giving it everything I got, but it's a day to day struggle.

I have heard horror stories about new grad nurses who have no business with a nursing license, and I very much do not want to be one of them. My nightmare scenario is being the guy who has absolutely no idea what to do when it hits the fan. I literally have nightmares about it.

Am I just having first year student anxiety? Is it normal to feel completely inadequate to my chosen profession?

To moderators: I wasn't sure if I should post this here or in the general student forum. Please move if needed.

[Tait, MSN, RN]

Critical thinking skills are something that school gets you started on, and you get better and better at as you practice and encounter more scenarios. Don't worry at this point! Focus on learning the information, applying it to your patients, and being attentive to detail. It will work out :)

Best of luck!!

**hugs**

Tait

PS. Most of us felt pretty inadequate for a few years AFTER school! It's a tough but rewarding profession :)

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

It takes effort to become competent - and to maintain it. Experience does not always result in expertise/competency, as some people don't learn from their experience while others take advantage of every opportunity. In order to gain expertise (including critical thinking), you have to reflect on your experiences. In education-speak, this is called "meta-cognition" - thinking about thinking. You have to review/analyze your behavior and figure out how you can do better next time.

It seems to me that you are already on your way to becoming an exemplary nurse. Rather than just coast along, happy if you pass your classes - you are already working on constructing meaning from your experiences -- building your expertise. Just keep on doing what you are doing - You're going to be great!