How long until you felt comfortable/ confident at work?

prep8611 · Feb 12, 2013

One year and I was feeling a lot more confident. It goes fast.

Sun0408, ASN, RN · Feb 12, 2013

It will take months. You will become more comfortable with the things you see most often much quicker of course but for the most part; it takes time to get the hang of being a nurse. School helped you pass NCLEX and prepared you to be basic at a lot of things. Working will hone your assessment skills, critical thinking, delegation and the most difficult time management. You will find yourself needing to do 100 things in a day but many are of low priority. Figuring out which is which is half the battle.

owlRN01 · Feb 12, 2013

I have heard from many nurses that 6 months to a year gets you feeling comfortable witht the basics. Beyond that a few more years get's you at the point where you feel like you are a good nurse. I am only 7 weeks into my preceptorship and the eighth week is my last Funny because even though I don't feel ready to be on my own part of me is excited to not have someone breathing down my neck my whole shift. I am so much more comfortable than when I started and I have learned SO SO much in such a short time span. I love my job so much! It still makes me nervous though!

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Feb 12, 2013

I have worked with new grads for a looooonnnngggg time. Based on my experience, it takes ~ a year of full time work experience. Some can do it faster, but at the end of a year, most new nurses have the basic competencies mastered and are able to handle a full patient load with confidence (needing assistance only for uncommon situations). At that point, we start looking at ramping up for more advanced skills, learning how to be a preceptor, etc.

The outcome expectations for 'new grad' programs (internships, residencies, etc) are usually just to be able to safely deliver care to the most common types of patients found in that area without continuous direct supervision ... not to handle unexpected or very high pressure situations.

jpeters84 · Feb 12, 2013

Honestly sometime between 1.5-2 years. You stop having weird dreams 7-12 months in, the major anxiety goes away by one year but I didn't really hit my stride and become confident until 1.5-2 years. It does go very fast though. Don't be in too much of hurry. Good luck.

I start training tomorrow and I am nervous. I was just wondering how long until you really felt like you knew what you were doing? I know length of preceptorship and employees have an effect as well. Thanks!