Graduating and feel unprepared!

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I attend a school that is a little scattered to say the least, and as hard as I tried to self study, I have fallen behind. Im in the ADN program, and will be graduating May 7 if all goes well...thank God!! As everyone knows, so much material is thrown at you in NS, and I feel like I haven't been able to actually retain the info before we go on to the next thing. I have felt very "thrown in without a paddle" the entire time I've been in school, and while I know that is normal at first, I'm wondering if it is still normal this late in the game?? They expect so much from us and teach so little... I think I would have been better off being home schooled lol. They dont tell us things until the last minute, change things constantly and we dont get the notes or resources we need in time to actually study them...and thats just one issue! Literally, not one person has been able to make an A, and 3/4 of the class normally makes C's which none of us are used to. I'm scared to death that when it comes time to work Ill freeze and wont remember a thing and be fired! I actually feel bad about trying to find a job since it will be hard for me to pretend to be confident, just to get there and be clueless lol. Did anyone else feel *this* unprepared going into their first job, or attend a school that made it harder on them? How do employers and co-workers handle the lack of knowledge, or do they expect it at first? Do you eventually just memorize the interventions of associated diagnoses, or do you have to comepletely understand the processes of the body in order to "figure out" an intervention every time? Obviously ppl and responces are all different, but in most cases does it just become auto-pilot? Just unloading some feelings, thanks for listening! Any advice or personal eperience to put me at ease would be great :)

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Specializes in Critical Care (ICU/CVICU).

OMG girl! I feel the same way!!!!! I graduate may 14th and even though I feel like obviously I know SOMETHING (or I wouldn't have made it this far) I don't feel like I have a complete grasp. I'm not a bad test taker (all B student) but lately I've been practicing NCLEX questions on past subjects and I keep failing them!!!! Maybe I just need a refresher of the past classes. I'm scared to take HESI.

As are extremely rare in our program as well. You know what I did? I take things upon myself and reteach myself basic things. For example, our school didn't cover documentation much at all. So I checked out a fun to read 'Charting made Incredibly Easy' book, an ECG book, and have gone on Youtube to watch various skills that I wasn't very clear on (like IV issues and central line care, even things like mixing regular and cloudy insulins).

Even though I'm freaking out, I always remember that I made it this far and someone obviously thinks I have what it takes to keep going. I just have to believe in myself!

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I think that's a normal feeling when it comes to nursing school. I just graduated LPN school, and while I know I've learned a lot.. I definitely don't feel ready to go out there and tackle it all as a licensed nurse. Nurses in my family have told me that most of the learning occurs on-the-job and that I have nothing to worry about, that it will all come with time. I hope they're right. Lol.

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I'm in a different program, but I am going through the same exact thing, and I graduate May 20th. In fact I was just coming on to make a post for Kaplan testing. I have a 150 Kaplan test coming up on Friday that is on "med-surg". Well great, because that is only been the whole past two years! So I have been going over basic information and taking some related practice exams... I haven't been doing nearly as hot as I should I hope I would be. I am not one to be so anxiety ridden that I freak out, but it worries me... if I don't seem to be retaining information for a practice exam, what the heck are my boards going to be like??!

I've heard the same thing as kittah, but in order to "learn on the job", I'll still need to pass these tests and most importantly, pass my boards.

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Specializes in geriatrics.

You are unprepared, but don't worry :) Realistically, there is only so much school and clinicals will teach you. But just take what you have learned in school, and apply in practice. Always remember ABC's. And common sense goes a long way. I've been practicing for 2 months, and every day is a learning experience. Don't be afraid to ask questions, and admit when you need help or don't know something. I do this all the time. Remember, its better to be humble, and practise safely, for you, and your patient.

I am realizing just how much time it takes to build your knowledge and comfort level. I try to treat every experience as a learning experience. And it is getting easier. Also, forming positive relationships is important, because the senior nurses are a very valuable resource. Good luck! :)

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I am in the exact same situation, I really appreciate your post and am really curious as to what advice/if any people will offer.. thanks for putting that out there ;) Good luck!!!

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Specializes in CICU.
You are unprepared, but don't worry

What she said. There is a huge learning curve - and I think I went through a pretty good program. Just remember to hang in there - it will get better.

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Specializes in I like everything except ER.

The new nurses that I hate are the ones who try to act like they know everything. It's obvious to everyone that they are insecure, but if they have an attitude, I just can't stand it. They will try to find fault with other nurses decisions, act like they are the only ones who really care about the pt's. It's really about ego. Everyone knows you don't know. Be humble and always put the pt's well being first. And accept that there will be days that you look like a fool. We all had to go through it.

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I will graduate in May as well and I feel the same way. I feel like I am unprepared. I got a 3.18 last semester but I keep getting 70-50 percent on the practice NCLEX questions. It kind of scares me. I feel like I am spinning in a circle. I just hope that when I am doing that during boards, the right answer decides to come around. Good luck to all and be proud that you have made it this far. We have made it this far for a reason! :yeah:

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Specializes in geriatrics.

The thing is, we all have different personalities and ways of doing things, which should be respected. It takes time for people to get to know each other, too. I did very well in school, and I also have a lot of previous work experience. However, I think that every new nurse starts out more or less the same. We have some foundational skills, but, until you start actually practising, and making decisions that directly affect patient care, it isn't the same.

The nurses are good where I am. They are helpful and willing to teach. Still, the responsibility lies with me to ask questions, and make the effort. You will see when you're starting out. The work is interesting, rewarding, and a little scary at times. But worth it. I'm sure those of you who are graduating will be fine. After all, you came this far.

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Everyone feels unprepared when they get out of nursing school. If you don't, you're dangerous. You learn on the job really. Nursing school gives you the foundation but working will give you the preparation. If you don't use it, you lose it. Could not even tell you one thing I learned in maternal/child class... But I can read an ABG like nobody's business... and that just comes with TIME. Hang in there. After a year you'll be tons more confident but never be too confident!

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.

Funny, I graduate May 7th too. Our final semester one of our classes is pretty much on the reality of being out of school. We go into various topics. Last week the instructor mentioned that we probably feel like their is no way we are ready to graduate and may and probably scared to think we will be in charge of peoples lives and on our own. Than she paused and looked around and said "you guys aren't fooling anyone, I know every single one of you feels that way" we all let out a sigh of relief because we DO feel that way. I mean some things we feel confident about. Skill type things. But she said this was 100% normal and that she has never met a student that didn't feel this way. It's a scary transition to go from student and always having someone to go to or watching over you, to being on your own.

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