I am so stupid!!!!!!!

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jun 30, 2007

Welcome to the world of nursing. Anyone of us could have written a post exactly like that when we came out of school. You're not alone in your feelings. That is normal.

You have to work through your fears. I've been there and done that. Remember nursing is a lifelong learning experience, expescially that first year.

Be gentle with yourself because you are not stupid. You're a novice nurse. We all were once.

Good luck and congratulations!

llg, PhD, RN · Jun 30, 2007

Sometimes, you just have to be brave and move forward. There are no magic answers or easy solutions. Sometimes, it is simply hard to do what you know you have to do. Put one foot in front of the other and take one step at a time.

Almost everyone feels the way you do at some points in their lives. Most new grads feel that way. It comes with the territory of finally being expected to "show what you can do" in the real world.

My advice is to embrace your inexperience. Acknowledge to everyone that you are a new grad and that you went to a nursing school that did not provide you with much med/surg technical experience. Express a deep desire to learn and ask your preceptor to show you the ropes. Tell her that while you are very anxious to do a good job, she will have to teach you some things in order for you to succeed and be a useful member of the team.

Always be friendly and supportive of those around you and most will be friendly and supportive in return. You'll probably meet a few not-so-nice people along the way -- but if you have made a few friends among the helpful & friendly people, they can give you advice on how to handle the not-so-nice ones.

rnmomtobe2010 · Jun 30, 2007

Welcome and please to don't consider yourself "stupid". That is such a harsh word.

anonymurse · Jun 30, 2007

I guess my biggest issue is the fear I face. I feel like, even though I graduated from nursing school, that I am a complete idiot. I didn't have a whole lot of practice in clinicals and still haven't been able to do the simple things like IV's, cathters, etc.

When you orient, typically you will watch (assist in) a procedure a few times, then be quietly coached through it until you're comfortable, then after orientation, you can still bring someone in "to help pull you up in the bed" who can unobtrusively stay in the room for moral support. You will be amazed at how many people will want to help you succeed. But it's not really amazing when you consider you'll be helping them when they get slammed, or that they'd rather take time teaching you to do it right than have to re-do it for you.

About your fear: the patients and families are afraid. They don't know what's going to happen. You are there to deal with that fear, and you can't do it if you're trying to deal with your own fear. Fear is an increasing feedback loop. You will have to break it and you already know how. When you're teaching someone to walk again, you'll make great efforts to get them to set their eyes on their goal--maybe the doorway--and break them of the habit of staring down at the floor. They stare because they're afraid of hitting the floor. But you know that the body goes where the eyes go, so you tell them to look straight ahead, head up. See, you are already an expert on what you have to do yourself: keep your eye on your goal, not your fears.

Besides, as far as your school and BoN can determine (and they are experts at this--you are not their first), you are good to go. So go.

Lilnurse0803, RN · Jul 1, 2007

Hello,

All the posters have made some great comments with regards to how normal it is to feel the way you do. I myself am a new nurse (just 1 month working now) and there are times when I feel completely helpless. What keeps me going is that I am surrounded by an amazing group of nurses who like to help and are willing to allow me to ask a million questions.

As long as you have some support and realize that you are new to this and are not expected to know everything, you will be fine. At some point you will look back and see how far you've come. Best of luck and God bless you.

Melita

MoopleRN · Jul 1, 2007

You're not stupid, you're inexperienced. Take advantage of your coworkers' support; they will be happy to give it. I felt the same way you did, still do to some degree, but you! can!! do!!! it!!!!

The hardest part is getting over that initial fear. Once you've done things a couple times (supervised or talked-through), you'll start to wonder what you were so scared of and soon enough, you'll look forward to using your new skills.

edisonnurse · Jul 1, 2007

I just wanted to send out a quick thank you to everybody who replied to my posts.....

I have woken up several nights in a row with my stomach in knots. It feels like I am riding a roller coaster in my dreams. Just the thought of starting my new job is stressing me, but these posts have really helped me to be easier on myself. I have to keep in mind that no one expects me to start this job and know everything!!! I have to remember I am a novice, I graduated, so I am not completely stupid, and lastly, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.....I will definately keep these things in mind as I step into this new role...I love the post that said..your school and the BON thinks you are good to go..so GO...I loved that...so I will go..even if I go with shaky legs... :uhoh3:

Roy Fokker, BSN, RN · Jul 1, 2007

You want stupid?

How about trying to aspirate a J-TUBE to check for "residual" ?? :rolleyes:

Yep. Been there. Done that.

A co-worker pointed out the obvious fact in between guffaws :imbar

Guess I learned something that day - "think first, act second!"

cheers,

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Jul 1, 2007

I had a "DUH" moment this morning. One of our junior nurses came to me for a narcotics check, and she said her patient had complained of a headache. I raised one eyebrow and said, "You're giving morphine for a headache?" The patient was a fresh crani for a posterior fossa tumor... and I knew that. DUH!!!!!! Ignore the wretch, Melissa!

fancynurse · Jul 2, 2007

Hello everybody...I've been on the student forum and I found it to be very helpful, so I thought I would come here for some advice..
I just graduated on May 11th and took my Nclex on June 13th and passed..praise the lord! I thought that all my anxiety and fear would be gone once that was over, but I've found myslef equally fearful of my future...Let me explain....
I was hired at a facility that deals with behavioral issues for adolescents. I was totally excited because behavioral health is my passion. When I was hired on, they thought it would be a great idea for me to do some time in Med Surg...I hate Med Surg...I actually hate any sort of nursing that has to do with sick people or hurt people. It's just not me. I have no passion for it, no love for it whatsoever...it really is my worse nightmare. I would rather flip burgers than do any of that, but in order for me to get the job where I really wanted I agreed to it...
I guess my biggest issue is the fear I face. I feel like, even though I graduated from nursing school, that I am a complete idiot. I didn't have a whole lot of practice in clinicals and still haven't been able to do the simple things like IV's, cathters, etc. I'm so afraid that I will get on that med surg floor and my incompetience will shine brighter than the sun. I tend to feel really uneasy in new situations and during those times I completely lose focus and start acting like an idiot....I'm afraid people will think I'm dumb, I'm afraid I will give the wrong med and look stupid, I'm afraid to talk to doctors, ...I could go on and on about the things I'm fearful of...
I guess I'm writing to find out if there is anybody out there who struggled with the same things I'm going through right now? Anybody who felt like they didn't know a thing about nursing even though they graduated? I would like to know how you overcame it...how did you find the courage to even walk through the front door of the hospital?
Thanks in advance...

I'm a nursing student. Next semester is my last one. I don't know what to feel, happiness or fear. I'm happy that I'm almost over but I'm really afraid of the future. Me too just like you I feel like I need much more preparation and experience. However...we're not the first nor the last.

Good luck!

MoriahRoseRN · Jul 5, 2007

Lots of great comments, and advice. I am going thru this right now. I'm feeling quite in adequate and wanting to run for my life. So you are not alone, just think of how well rounded you will be after your rotation and you then get to do your dream job. Good luck and ask lots of questions. You can do it!