I don't feel like I'll ever know enough

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jul 28, 2007

Yes, but I stay open minded and willing to learn. It's the one's who think they know it all that worry me.

ohmeowzer RN, RN · Jul 28, 2007

honey it takes time to learn all the ins and outs of the job. give yourself time. i learn every day just like you and i've been doing it a long time. you'll be fine. just ask if you don't know something .. and don't worry you'll feel more confident as time goes on. give yourself a hug for me. hang in there baby.

deeDawntee, RN · Jul 28, 2007

Absolutely!!! You will start feeling competent!! Concentrate on the essentials: Is the pt breathing? Are they in pain? Are their vital signs within normal limits? Do they feel cared about by you? There is an infinite amount of information out there in the medical field, and you will continue to learn the rest of your life, that is not what makes you a good/great nurse. Can you recognize when things are going bad? I'll bet you can!!! And then can you act as your pt's advocate? Absolutely!!! Keep it simple. Perhaps make a checklist for yourself. So that you know you aren't missing anything. Believe me, you will know when things are going bad. You are far more than a person who does a set of skills. You are the person who makes sure that your patient is on the road to recovery and not the other way around. See yourself from a broader perspective and you will be fine!!!

nightmare, RN · Jul 28, 2007

Don't worry about it Sue! Yes your always learning,I'm still learning and I've been at it for a loooong time:uhoh3: Enjoy the experience you will be a better nurse for it and no you will never know everthing! :idea: :idea: :idea:

Beary-nice · Jul 28, 2007

I once had a professor tell me "you can never know enough, and you will never know it all." That is some of the best advice I have ever received because I spent quite some time beating my head against a wall trying to soak it all in...I am a perfectionist...doesn't mix well with nursing always.

I don't know what you mean by spending so much time learning "basic" things? I think that it is equally important to have the basics and the normals down pat even if it seems boring or less attractive to adequately prepare oneself. I guess having these things down pat makes the abnormal stuff stick out like a sore thumb. I don't know if you can see where I am getting at, but I do know that deeDawntee up above there hit the nail on the head on several points.

MadisonsMomRN, BSN, RN · Jul 28, 2007

I feel the same way... I could have written your post.

Its all a learning experience though!

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Jul 28, 2007

Is the pt breathing?

This, I can tell.

Thanks, all.

Kylisa02 · Jul 28, 2007

I feel the same. I've been doing it for three years, and I still learn every day. Some of the things I learn are so simple I wonder why I didn't think of them before. But, what I realize after talking to all of my nurse friends, is that we all feel the same way. Including those who have worked for many many years. :)

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Jul 28, 2007

I've been at it for over a decade now, and while I think I'm pretty good at what I do, I KNOW I'll never have this job completely 'down pat'. There is no such thing in nursing---change happens all the time, and just about the time we get one change firmly planted in the ol' cranium, some new evidence turns up that contradicts it. We must always be willing to learn, re-learn, and learn some more; and it's OK to stay nervous. I've always believed that if I arrive at work in the morning NOT feeling just a wee bit on edge, I'm not as sharp as I should be, and might therefore miss something vital.

But to answer the OP's original question: Yes, I think most of us feel fairly confident in our skills after 2-3 years. It takes a little longer to hone that 'sixth sense' that a nurse develops somewhere around year five or so...........but a lot depends on whether we stick with one area of nursing for several years, or take a while settling down to a particular specialty. And of course, one MUST keep up with current practice by reading nursing journals, being part of a professional organization, taking continuing education courses, and so on.

leslie :-D · Jul 28, 2007

i've been in the same specialty for 11 yrs.

i've learned to never become too comfortable or too confident.

just when you think you understand a concept/med/ process, a pt comes along and presents w/a whole new set of unfamiliar s/s.

or a newer piece of literature comes out.

or a new grad teaches me a recent finding.

a seasoned vet teaches me another trick of the trade.

i learn on a daily basis and still come home, amazed and enlightened.

i've never once thought "i'll never learn enough" but rather, "i can't wait to learn more".

look at this as an opportunity.

take advantage of what your colleagues have to offer; nsg assts; doctors; pts and families....everyone has something to teach us.

it will only make you a fuller, more well-rounded nurse.

embrace these opportunities.

and celebrate.

leslie

grace90, LPN, LVN · Jul 28, 2007

We must always be willing to learn, re-learn, and learn some more; and it's OK to stay nervous. I've always believed that if I arrive at work in the morning NOT feeling just a wee bit on edge, I'm not as sharp as I should be, and might therefore miss something vital.

Sounds familiar. Whenever I find myself feeling like things on my team are 'under control' I stop and take a 2nd look at everybody and wonder what I could be missing.

And you never have too much experience to be asking questions... there's a nurse on one of our floors who has been at it over 40 years now, and she still asks questions.