I want to give up, but also don't...ya know?

[melialea]

First, let me start off by saying that I am negative only when it comes to my abilities. I really put myself down and don't think I'm good enough. Well I'll be graduating soon and I have no idea where to apply. I love Labor and Delivery. Babies. Moms. Women. Always have. Everyone's telling me to just do Med-Surg or Tele...and I don't want to, but I know I'll benefit from it.

The problem is that I don't think I can do it....I doubt I'll be a competent nurse. My classmates seem way smarter than me. Idk how I made it this to be far honestly. I have been crying (on the inside) for months. People have been telling me to just forget Med-Surg and try to get into L&D. Some tell me that I'll be a better nurse if I start in Med-Surg. I just don't know. In clinical, I am safe, but I also have a nurse and an instructor making sure I don't harm a patient. What if I can't care for my patients as the only nurse? Is it normal to feel so incompetent? You guys, I literally have this huge lump in my throat at the thought of applying for jobs. I'm so worried I won't be good enough.

I put myself down, then I want to just give up on Nursing completely. I do this to myself in most situations though, no matter the topic. My classmates answer questions faster than me. It takes me a while to think processes out. It feels like I'm not smart enough. Please help.

[SkyDrift]

It's the fear of the unknown. Don't be scared. Every new grad goes through it. You have to ask yourself, "What do I really want to do? How good are my skills?" If you can answer that, then follow it. If L&D is your forte, then go for it; Just remember that you'll be inserting Foley Catheters and IV's a lot in L&D, so know your procedures very well. You don't have to listen to others, just think of it as their suggestion. Nowadays, people are getting straight into specialty fields like OB, ICU, ER, DOU, without even having prior experience. As long as you have a good preceptor and come to work with an open mind to learn, then you will learn quickly and provide safe care to your patients. Stop comparing yourself to others and live your life that way you always wanted it to be; there are always going to be another person who is going to be better than us and vice versa.

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

Most everyone feels like that when embarking on new challenges. We all learn on the job. Time to man up missy.

[cgb937]

If there is one thing that is stopping you, it is the attitude! Most people "fake it til they make it". Im sure not everyone in your class is as confident as they seem. They just have a positive attitude towards their future. If you are negative now, its not going to help you later.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Nursing is a team sport. You're not going to be out there alone on a virtual iceberg with your patients. You will have other competent staff available who will be there to support you through your transition from student to practitioner. Any organization that hires new grads will have some sort of orientation program designed to provide this support, even though it may not be called a "residency" .

Look at it from the vantage point of the Nurse Manager & Charge Nurse.. They are accountable for ensuring the appropriateness of staffing and patient assignments. It is a violation of NPAs in most states to make assignments or delegate tasks to people who are not competent to carry out the work. So - it is in their best interests (and the patients') to make sure you are competent before allowing you to work independently. They're not going to leave you hanging out to dry. Trust the process.

I hope you will be able to connect with a mentor who can help you build self-confidence by providing reassurance when needed. As time goes on, you need less and less. In a year or so, you'll be the one helping new grads. Trust the process.

[tellabella21]

I think that you should fake it until you make it. Get come confidence and start applying to any and every job. As a new grad it is HARD to fine employment. Your 1st job might be something that you really dislike. It make take you a LONG time to find a job so don't waste your time now thinking about quitting!

[strawberryluv, BSN, RN]

Try long term care facilities like nursing homes. I found nursing in this area to be very good and more slow pace for new grads. I'm oenly 1 year and three months from being a nurse and worked only in nursing homes and it's been great! I can practice some skills at a pace I can manage. You learn time management as well as delegation skills. You work with a predominately elderly population which helps a lot with hospital job in future because most patients who are hospitalized are elderly... you practice on your medication administration skills learn to be quick at it with time. It's a good place to start