I feel stupid and useless

jcarl12 · Jan 28, 2014

I can definitely relate to you. I'm 8 months into my first nursing job and there's still stuff that makes me feel useless and even embarrassed at times. For instance, last night I was supposed to get 3 blood draws and of course missed all 3. I feel like sometimes I'll never get the hang of it and it always puts me in a bad mood. It definitely effects my confidence about my job at times too. I know eventually we will learn because practice makes perfect but I'm such a perfectionist. I just have to keep reminding myself that everyone starts at the bottom and we are not expected to know everything. When I look back on how I felt in the very beginning and even a couple months ago, it's obvious how far I've come already and I just have to keep thinking about that. It WILL get better. Hang in there! You are not alone!

sisafua · Jan 28, 2014

so its not strange to feel nervous as a novice, i finished college a year ago but got my lincense about 6mths ago, i am now looking for work but at the same time nervous cos i feel am losing confidence in my skills and whether i will remember stuff from school At least now i know its a normal feeling when you start a new career

stickit34 · Jan 28, 2014

I know the feeling. I'm about seven months into my first year and the first six months was HORRIBLE. I felt so useless and stupid and was afraid to ask questions (BIG MISTAKE). Don't worry, about the six month mark is when it suddenly like "clicks" and everything begins to make sense. In the beginning it is so overwhelming because so much information is thrown at you and you're expected to remember it all. Just take one day at a day, write down notes, study policies and procedures and I promise you it will all come together. It sounds like you have a great job, and I believe you're an amazing nurse!!

Ruby Vee, BSN · Jan 29, 2014

I'm a new grad RN four months into my first job at an Ambulatory Surgical Center. I feel I am an extra slow learner and that everybody hates me. I want to be excellent, so if I make even a tiny mistake, I feel stupid and useless, and I end up fearing for my job. Does anyone else ever feel like this?

You're a new grad RN -- strive for competence, not excellence. There's always time to strive for excellence later on, after you're competent. You WILL make tiny mistakes, so why not allow for that.

The first year of nursing is rough. The only way to get through it is to GO through it. We've all been there, did that, and got through it and you will, too.

silkysteph · Feb 3, 2014

thanks for all the wonderful responses. you have no idea how much reading this helps :)