I don't feel like a real nurse

Swellz · Oct 31, 2018

I know it doesn't feel like it, but you're probably one of the most valuable nurses on your floor. You're probably doing some leadership things - precepting? charge nurse? You probably know your policies and procedures backwards and forwards. You probably have people come to you with questions all the time because you know the answers. You probably, and most importantly, know how to handle your patients like the BALLER you are. You acknowledged yourself that you're successful; your success is something that you worked hard for and you should give yourself credit for.

Now, why do you feel this way? Do you wish you'd gone back to school already or changed jobs? Are you happy where you are? Different doesn't necessarily mean better. An MSN doesn't necessarily mean a more fulfilling job. But, if you would like to move on, then you should. Don't dwell on it being a couple years later than you intended, just do it now.

If you do move on, no, you're not going to be the same rockstar right away. You'll have to get acclimated to your new floor/acuity level/specialty/hospital. You're going to succeed wherever you go if you give yourself enough time. You didn't become who you are as a nurse overnight.

If you have certain skills that aren't good enough, practice them on your unit (as able) while looking for a new job. If you feel you have some knowledge gaps, study 30 minutes a day. I look at study guides and books for certifications I'm never going to take tests for because it is an easy way to review.

You can leave if that is what you want to do. You just have to take the leap.

brownbook · Oct 31, 2018

I could have written your post, aren't we a pathetic pitty party. :confused:

1). NEVER say or think to yourself what you would not say to a friend or loved one. Would you say to your child you're just faking it, your skills and knowledge aren't good enough?

2) Stop the stinkin thinkin, see number 1.

3) When faced with a scary stressful situation think...this is a challenge, challenges help me grow.

Apply to a different unit in your facility. Or a different facility. It will be hard, it will be scary.

You are so lucky. You can come to Allnurses and get wonderful, expert advice about your new position from people like me. :roflmao:

Cowboyardee · Oct 31, 2018

In general, I feel like american culture tends to over-value holding the most impressive sounding job or position or resume you could have and under-values being good at what you do. In other words, a truly terrible cardiothorascic surgeon is likely not a positive contributing individual in society or his community whereas a very diligent, thoughtful, and careful janitor in his OR is, but we act like the opposite is true. So, first off, ask yourself whether you feel bad dor staying at the same unglamorous job, or whether you feel bad for not being good enough at that job.

If you feel bad for staying, there's no shame in leaving, but I humbly suggest you consider whether leaving is something that you actually want to do or if it's just something you feel like others would be more impressed with if you did. And if your answer is the latter, please consider that maybe the popular opinion is wrong or just not that important.

If you instead feel like youre not as good at your job as you could be, you probably just need some direction about how to get better at it. Of course there are many classes available, certifications, etc. Just reading more and in more depth about medicine and the kinds of pathologies and interventions you frequently encounter on your unit helps a lot. So does volunteering to take more responsibility on your unit. It creates a kind of feedback loop where you offer to help in some areas that may feel over your head, so you learn more about these areas, and then your coworkers start looking to you as a resource, which actually forces you to learn even more about that area as you have to figure out the answers to questions other people have and teach less experienced staff.

In any case, good luck, and don't be your own punching bag.

cleback · Oct 31, 2018

Youve received very good advice so far. If you think a new challenge might boost your work esteem, id make one more suggestion. Is there any condition or procedure or population that your unit sees that really floats your boat? If so, I'd suggest really diving on and becoming an expert on it. Join a professional organization specific to that area. Go to a conference. Read,read, read on it. Be the go to for any concerns. That may open other doors in the future, or would just be really cool to have that in depth knowledge and be able to apply it.

Swellz · Oct 31, 2018

I could have written your post, aren't we a pathetic pitty party.

I could have too, honestly. I feel like this intermittently. Travel nursing helped boost my confidence a lot, which is odd. I essentially go from knowing nothing to getting my act together right before I leave to go somewhere else. When I stop travelling next year I'm going to have some serious anxiety though haha. But we just have to remember all we've accomplished and how hard we've worked.

**CalicoKitty, BSN, MSN, RN** · Oct 31, 2018

Like travel nursing (in some ways), I joined a per diem pool (float pool). My hospital offers benefitted (full time with a designated unit) and regular (whatever the hospital needs). I enjoy going to all the units of the hospital, and it gave me new opportunities to see more med-surg than just the unit I was on. More surgical experience, though they tend to keep most "specialty" patients to themselves (chemo or new stroke/seizure), I see the differences in the units. I still debate school, and tend to find something I want to learn more about and take classes (hospital based) or otherwise. I liked some cardiology and wounds. So, now I'm working on WOCN certification. But, still "just" a med-surg nurse. I like it, though.

JKL33 · Nov 1, 2018

During that time I've watched everyone I went to school with change jobs at least once, get their Masters, etc. I've watched MANY, MANY new grad RN's start on my floor only to move on to bigger and better as soon as they could. Meanwhile I've done nothing and I almost feel embarrassed by this. I feel like I'm not learning and growing and advancing in my profession. I watch other nurses, even newer ones, and they all seem to go around with such confidence. I feel they all know so much more than me.

There is much that could be said about all of that - - most of which should probably remain unsaid.

Anyway. Do you actually have knowledge deficits that need to be corrected, or are you essentially romanticizing others' personalities?

Are you barely getting by? I mean, are you someone who truly doesn't know what you're doing and every day you (and your patients) survive is just some random miracle? If so, yes, you do need to do something about it.

But I suspect what's going on, rather, is that all this talk/behavior of everyone acting like they know everything and seeking to move "up" and out ASAP has made you think there's something wrong with you. Unless you have problems like suggested in the previous paragraphs, your main thing is that you need to start taking pride in who you are and what you do.

Emergent, RN · Nov 1, 2018

If you are comfortable where you are and have a good unit culture, stay. I have a friend, close to retirement, who stayed in the same med surg unit her whole career. She doesn't have an adventurous personality at all. She's a fantastic nurse who feels best in her comfort zone.

I'm more adventurous, and finally ended up in ER, but I'm no hotshot. I've been here 7 or so years after trying several things, and enjoying learning new things along the way. I've called myself a jack of all trades, master of none before. I finally settled into a unit with an agreeable mix of coworkers and a thoroughly entertaining patient population.

That's not to say there weren't stumbles and little failures along the way. I've had trouble fitting in at time since I march to a different drum. That's why I'm thankful that I really feel at home now.

I would recommend getting a Per Diem job elsewhere in order to test the waters. It's a good way for us less confident souls to try something new without leaving the security of our comfort zone.

Jedrnurse, BSN, RN · Nov 1, 2018

I'm not sure of (but suspect) the definition of 'real nurse', and by that, I'm currently a 'fake nurse'.

Honestly, having been around the block a bit, 'real nursing' can be vastly overrated...

psu_213, BSN, RN · Nov 1, 2018

Does your unit have a professional practice committee? If so, join and be active. If not, see if you can form one. I'm guessing you are a valuable part of your unit--now take it to the next level and "show off" what you've got.

guineachick, MSN, APRN, NP · Nov 1, 2018

I think that when we start to get comfortable we start to feel like we're not doing anything. When I was a new grad my emotions were heightened. Everything was new and exciting and scary. Now that I've been a nurse for 10 years I've become more confident in what I'm doing and it comes more naturally. It feels like I'm just putting along but the reality is my skills are far above where they once were and it just comes easier. I'm sure the same can be said for you.