I just feel stupid...

NurslingRN · Apr 25, 2010

Could you take a refresher course? If you still have your text books pop in the CDs and do some quizes and review questions. I graduated in december and I am already losing my "NURSING MIND" lol. Glad to hear you found a job though.:)

DestinedRN09 · Apr 25, 2010

Im looking into a refresher course those are hard to find, and I recently moved out of state and left all of my books but Ill have to go buy one or something cuz this is ridiculous! Lol

mustlovepoodles, RN · Apr 25, 2010

Im looking into a refresher course those are hard to find, and I recently moved out of state and left all of my books but Ill have to go buy one or something cuz this is ridiculous! Lol

Well, there's a lesson in this--never NEVER part with your nursing books. Leave your TV, leave your cute shoes, but never leave the books behind. :nurse: That said, books are easily acquired. I suggest you buy some ASAP and start studying so you will feel more competent. I doubt you have really lost your nursing "mind." You're not exercising it(although, you probably could and probably do). When you start working as a full-fledged nurse that stuff will start coming back to you, especially if you have already prepared by continuing to read your nursing books. I know you're working as a glorified CNA, but nothing is stopping you from thinking like a nurse. You don't have to have permission from your supervisor, you know.

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · Apr 26, 2010

i know how you feel ... i worked a floor in the hospital where nursing autonomy was limited based upon the structure of the floor and rules placed upon new grads. i felt like my ability to recall information of great importance (like cardiac issues) or perform skills i was actually good at in nursing school (like starting ivs) had leaked out my brains and was going to leave me forever!!! i was very resentful working on that floor. especially since i had not applied and had started on a different floor that i loved (long story …). anyway … if you wish, do the refreshers ... but i think you really need to just start building on the information or reinforcing information you already learned in nursing school.

i think you should try attending trainings and seminars that will assist you to continue to study nursing in specific areas of interest (even if that is not your current job function) or study in relation to a rn job with your current employer. for example, if you want to work a stroke unit some day, then attend courses that benefit rns on such units. or if you are currently working in ltc then take courses in the care for geriatrics within ecfs that will help you to give competent care to your patients.

seminars and trainings can be expensive but not hard to find. thus, join nursing associations like the ana to cut the costs of additional education. also, if there is a particular area of nursing you wish to work, try joining that particular area organization so you can receive journals, information, training, and an ability to network to increase your chances of moving into that area or specialty in the future. gl!

jorjaRN · Apr 30, 2010

Everyone has offered good suggestions, and the only thing I can add is that, to be honest, I felt like the same thing was happening to me, but as soon as I started working it all came back to me. I graduated in May and didn't start working until January, so it was quite a break. I did go over some of my old CD-ROMs, books, worksheets, etc. but what really helped was those first couple of days on the floor while my preceptor was still watching and there for questions. Trust me, it will all come back to you when you need it.