Almost done and NOT feeling ready!

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Specializes in OBGYN, Neonatal.

I know its probably wierd but really and truly, I have one more semester left after this one which is almost over and I feel like a new student sometimes LOL.

I guess I should explain, I do well in class and clinicals, no problems at all so "technically" I'm ready but I feel so nervous!

There are so many things I'm nervous about! Like meds, I don't know all the meds, I couldn't place them right away - I'm guessing when you work in a unit you are familiar with the commonly prescribed ones. Like answering things - for example the teacher may say this this and this is going on, what do you suspect? It takes me a bit to come up with my answer, some ppl can just jump in and say. Hubby says I'm taking time to critically think b/c I am evaluating the things in my head but I'm not sure that is good LOL!

Is it normal to have these thoughts?

Yikes!

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Very normal to have those thoughts of uncertainty. When you get your first nursing job, it's likely to be an even bigger learning experience than you had in school.

The good news is that you should have plenty of places to go for reference: experienced nurses on your unit, your pocket drug guides, and even Allnurses.com. :)

Try not to stress too much about learning it all before you graduate. If nursing school were intended to teach you everything, no one would ever finish.

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I'm right w/ ya! I have one more semester & don't feel ready either. so. you're not alone. ooohhh and the meds, i hate the meds, they don't stick w/ me!?!?!!!

anyway, although i don't feel ready, i still can't wait to be done w/ school. so, i have mixed feelings about it all.:uhoh3:

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

You are not alone. I also felt the same way my last semester. I had nightmares. I am a new grad going on my third week of orientation and still some days I feel like I do not know a single thing. I have gotten myself up to 4 pts now on a med/surg floor and Fri when I left work I was in tears and wasn't going back. I was so overwelmed. My preceptor tells me this is normal and that I am doing a fabulous job. I do not feel like I am though. Sometimes we are our own worse enemies. It is scary and normal to feel that way. I have learned more in the past 3 weeks then I felt I learned in 5 semesters in school. It will continue to be a learning process.

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I am almost done too. I graduate next month and I feel like I do not know very much myself, but you will be surprised on how much you really know when you get out there and start working. Do not be ashamed to ask what you do not know, that only makes you better at what you do. You will be surprised on how many other people do not know either.:mortarboard:

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

I'd have to say that you are about where you are supposed to be. As for meds, after 30 years there are still meds I don't know. But, I do know where to go to get information about them. And, I bet you do too. As for answering questions like "this, this and this is going on, what do you expect?", it probably isn't going to happen that much unless you ask them of yourself or you run into a snotty preceptor who is on a ego trip. When you get on the job, your nursing instructor is GONE. Many times you have to be your own nursing instructor. One of the things that you take away from your schooling is where to go to find answers. In other words, learning what and where your resources are. It's one of the advantages of being able to read and think. :wink2: Your husband is right, you know. Sounds like a very intelligent dude. Probably a keeper.

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it is not just a saying that when school ends the real education begans

nobody is really 'ready' but you will learn to associate the meds with the type of pt that you have..[if you are on a cardiac floor you will associate the meds to the type of disorder pt was admitted . lab values will be second nature to you after you have seen them a view times]

you are on the right track..don't lose confidence in yourself

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Specializes in OBGYN, Neonatal.

Thanks for the votes of confidence and the input everyone! It's nice to know that its normal to feel this way! I definatly will have to keep coming back here for my confidence boosts along the way LOL!

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Specializes in Corrections, neurology, dialysis.

Just the other day our instructor told us not to memorize meds or we will fail. Meds change constantly. What needs to stay the same is you being vigilant about looking up the meds on a regular basis. You will get familiar with those that are used in your unit all the time. But our instructor said to just make it habit to research any new med you come across.

Good luck! I'm sure you'll be fine.

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I was thinking about making a thread like this just last week. I graduate in May next year and I'm soo scared!! for ex....I was just thinking... wow if a patient comes up after having their gall bladder removed and i see red drainage ... what do i do?! Is this normal or do i call the doctor? I really don't know. If its an emergency I wouldn't have time to look it up.. you'd have to call the doctor right away. But if its normal and you call the doctor right away they'll probably get mad at you for bothering and you'll feel kind of stupid for calling. I'm just using this as an example... im sure theres many others examples I could use. BUt how do you know all of this stuff? I'd hate to be bothering other nurses every 20 min asking them my silly questions.

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