Have I really learned what I need to.....

I've been a nurse for two and a half years, and yes, what you're experiencing is perfectly normal.

School is overwhelming and time consuming and sometimes just downright spirit breaking. You're overworked and exhausted a good chunk of the time.

You will walk out on that floor for clinicals and think, I know nothing (I remember thinking that this was where they'd find out I was an impostor, an idiot who should be out planting flowers or better yet shouldn't be let near anything alive) - and you'll feel like you're just going through the motions of passing meds, getting report, doing stuff without really knowing WHY you're doing it (never mind you spent all that money to LEARN the why).

Then one day someone will say something about a diagnosis and a switch will flip - which will flip another switch - and you'll get home and drag out those textbooks to check your answer and your thought process. And you might find out you were right - and you might find out you were close - and even if you were wrong YOU WERE THINKING about it. And one day an MD will reel off an order to you and your preceptor or instructor, and you'll realize you've already thought through what you need to do and what might happen as a result (or you're at least considering possibilities even if you have to look up the answer - and looking up the answer's OK!)....

It will happen. But it's normal to think it won't. And it's normal to think you're unprepared - we all felt that way.

You know, Im a term two and I feel the same way some days. Other days I feel that I know what I need.

It took being thrown into clinicals and having to do it to realize that I learn by doing. I can practice in the lab night and day but until I have to "do it" I dont feel that I know it.

I am burned out, exhausted and completely sleep deprived. Some people have already cracked from the stress they were under. I think we're all happy this term is over and we'll be on to the next.

Sometimes I feel like I have learned SO much, and I'm sure that I have. But other times, I feel like I haven't learned anything. I am in a summer externship and my current preceptor expresses shock over things, like that I haven't been taught to calculate I&O's at the end of the shift, which make me feel lousy and like I haven't learned anything. But I am only about to enter my second year, too. I keep hearing that new grads have to learn so much, especially if they go into a specialized area. My med surg instructor last semester said that a former student of hers that was a new grad told her "We didn't learn ANYTHING while we were in nursing school!" My instructor told her "You had to have learned SOMETHING - you can't just walk in off the streets and be a nurse."

You will walk out on that floor for clinicals and think, I know nothing (I remember thinking that this was where they'd find out I was an impostor, an idiot who should be out planting flowers or better yet shouldn't be let near anything alive) - and you'll feel like you're just going through the motions of passing meds, getting report, doing stuff without really knowing WHY you're doing it (never mind you spent all that money to LEARN the why).

Have you been reading my mind??!! This is exactly what I have been thinking during my externship - that they will figure out that I'm a fraud that knows nothing, and tell my school. I didn't realize that it was that common to feel like an impostor.

I am glad I read this. Just today I was worrying about-" what should I be going over more before the start of Fall semester" In clinical I sometimes feel that I am just "going through the motions" and worry that once I graduate, what if I forget everything? I keep going over fluids and electrolytes and feel good about that part, but there are so many things to learn.

I have been nurse a year and also graduated from an ADN program. Nursing school was the foundation. I couldn't do my job if I hadn't gone to school, but the majority of what I need to know I have learn on the job. The key is to ask questions. When you are in clinicals, orientation, or just the new nurse on your floor...keep asking questions. You will impress those around you by not trying to impress them. Find nurses that are knowlegdable and that you have a good rapport with. Ask them every question that pops into your head, that is how I have learned to be nurse this year. I didn't "feel like" a nurse when I graduated and passed NCLEX. After my first year....I am a nurse.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! I felt worse after I failed my last class of first year for those damn fluids and electrolytes! Then I had to wait a whole year to get back in and things did fall into place, but I still feel like I haven't learned a thing. I am going on to 2nd year in August and have been trying to plan ahead for the coming year, but am worried I should review from first year. I hope it does all fall into place!

I think we will all make it through and be awesome RN's!!

I am also a student and feel this way a lot. Once in awhile after a day at clinicals I am like wow I can't believe I knew that or did that and did it right! Occassionally, I will be walking down the street and I catch myself assessing people. These times I feel good about what I have learnt this far. Another important aspect is your instructors. Last semester, although I knew I still had a lot to learn I was comfortable with my patients. My instructor was there to help me. However, this semester I am constantly doubting myself yet I have a new instructor who constantly makes us feel stupid and belittles us. I have also been told by every nurse I have talked too that you don't really learn until you are in the field. They keep saying 1 yr in the field before you know that you know what you are doing. Good luck!

I agree mom35! I am REALLY glad I read this post, too!

I will keep this in mind, and try not to discourage myself when I get to feel the way you are.

This website is VERY informing and.... SO INTERESTING!

I must THANK YOU!

Thank you for the question and for the answers. This helps me, too.