Getting Nervous

I graduated from LPN school last year and got my license in June. This is a natural feeling to have. I also had VERY weak clinical experience...my instructors were very lazy. Being a student, the main focus is to pass the classes, and for what it was worth, you had the clinical instructor to support you, no matter how weak they were. They were responsible for you, and told you what skills you were expected to perform that day or what to focus on. At this moment, you may feel that you are being kicked out of the nest before you are ready to fly, but my advice to you is to first focus on passing NCLEX-PN, because no matter what, you will not be able to work as a nurse until you pass this exam. Once that happens, then, the issue becomes maintaining the license you worked so hard to earn. I got my job working as an LPN a month after passing the exam, and it was scary. The textbook version of nursing life verses the real world is totally different and you will have to adjust to that fact first and foremost. Don't be afraid to ask questions and if you are not sure, do nothing until you get the answer that you need and see if that same answer makes sense to you. Continue to read, get journals and keep a textbook or some source close to you. I still read from my textbook at least once a week, because I have to remind myself of certain things . Fundamentals and Adult Health Nursing by Christensen and Kockrow is a great book (expensive, but has the entire LPN program in reader friendly format) with a great CD with breath and heart sounds, or Nurse's Quickcheck series: they have several books such as: Diseases, Diagnostic Tests, Skills, and Fluid and Electrolytes (all seperate books). These books are great because they have nice summaries on what is needed to know for teaching yourself and the patient. You'll be fine. Just getting over the graduation, cut off the apron strings jitters and passing NCLEX is the main thing right now.

Thank you. At least now i now that what i am feeling is normal....I take the NCLEX this summer.

I think everyone feels that way, once you get closer and closer we get to being on our own the more apprehensive we are. I started to feel it a little when I graduated, now that I'm waiting on a license number, even more so. But you're never ALONE, there will alwys be someone there to help you (hopefully), and you can always come here or to your instructors at school. I think you'll be okay, I would be more worried about the OVER confident graduate! Good luck!

I am also graduating on Tuesday 5/15.... tomorrow is my last day of class and I still feel like I am not ready yet.. but I went to some job interviews and got a job as an LPN a a LTC.. they have a 6 week orientation... the nurse manager says they watch over you for like 1-2 weeks and when they feel that you are ready, they'll let you be on the floor alone..so that made me feel a little bit better..they know you are a grad so they cant be too hard on you... good luck!!

I think everyone feels that way! I left my NCLEX positive I'd failed! I learned more my first year of nursing than I EVER did in school.

Remember to treat your CNA's and coworkers well....they can make you or break you.

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

Try to find some mentors when you start working. Nurses that you feel comfortable with and can talk to. If you are enthusiastic and willing to work hard, you will find lots of nurses (and CNAs) will show you things and go out of their way to help you. I was fortunate, hope you will be too. Best of luck!