i am going to graduate soon, feel so stressed!

Genista, BSN, RN · Jan 13, 2006

Loveyan-

Congratulations on your soon to be graduation! You said you are under pressure to be an RN. I hope that you still WANT to be an RN? ;-) There is certainly new pressure to be more independent once you graduate, but hopefully, you are also feeling some excitement about becoming a new RN.

Many new grads are nervous about being on their own for the 1st time. But hopefully, you will begin working somewhere in which you can have some sort of orientation. Even once you are finished with orientation, never be afraid to ask for help from fellow nurses when you are stuck or need support. I have been an acute care RN 7+ years and I have no problem asking other nurses for their input or help when I need it.

When I was a new grad, I had butterflies in my stomach every day before work for at least 6 mos. I worked med/surg, and it was a tough little unit.Some days were so hard, and I was hard on myself and I even cried at times on the way home. They call that reality shock. It was hard for me to be responsible for 6-10 patients all on my own, and doing all sorts of new procedures for the 1st time, and making critical decisions on the spot. Two bits of advice I got from a 20+ year veteran RN at my 1st job were these: 1) Give yourself at least a year before you feel confident in your role as a new RN and 2) Find one or more RNs at work with whom you feel comfortable in asking help/advice (Ideally you could ask any coworker, but some nurses are unfortunately unfriendly and not as supportive as others). I can tell you that after a year, I felt confident enough to move on to another hospital/unit. I no longer get butterflies before work, but I still have my moments of frustration from time to time when I may have a tough day, and that is normal. It gets easier with time I assure you!

Try and focus on the positive. You will be learning so much on the job. Don't be too hard on yourself. It gets easier and easier as time goes by. I hope you have some fun, too. It is a challenging job at times, but very rewarding. Make sure you get the support you need to succeed...through preceptorship/orientation and working somewhere in which you feel comfortable and interested in that type of nursing care.Good luck and let us know how it goes!:balloons:

RN and Mommy · Jan 13, 2006

I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone. I graduate in May and I am so scared of being responsible for so many things. I just wanted to wish you good luck and to let you know that I right there with you!