In Over My Head????

ctucker · Apr 12, 2006

It will get better. Hopefully your coworkers are helpful. Our ICU often hires new grads and they all feel that way. just give it some more time. Our orientation is 3 months. It gives them a good start. Nursing is a team effort, remember if you don't know just ask someone who does.

Good luck

traumaprincess · Apr 12, 2006

I am not new but I will NEVER forget how I felt. If you feel like you need more orientation you can always ask for more. Just know that you are not expected to know everything and there is always going to be someone who will help you if you ask for help. Know when to get help. Question everything out of the norm. It took a year before I started to feel even half way comfortable. I am really glad I never quit though, even though it was tough it was definately worth the struggle because I love what I do now. There is A LOT to know. You will NEVER know it all. It is more important to know yourself and your limitations. It is ok to ask a lot of questions and I personally think it makes you a better nurse. I hope things get better for you. Good luck in your new career.

TJRN · Apr 12, 2006

It helps to hear all of your comments. Is it normal to feel like school did not prepare me at all? It's hard for me to know what I should already know and what it is ok for me not to know. I feel like I should know all the normal values and all of the meds and all of the interventions...most of which I have never even heard of. I really love the environment and my coworkers have been unbelievable, which is the only reason I have not run away screaming yet. I am having nightmares, however. Our orientation is supposed to be 8 weeks but I heard through the grapevine that they are extending it. I have only been on my unit for about 2 weeks if you look at it in the sense that I only work on the weekends and have been there 15 weekend days. Rambling, sorry, thanks for your comments.

traumaprincess · Apr 12, 2006

TJRN, I personally think that it is normal to feel like school did not prepare you for the real world. It did though, you are probably just not aware of how much you change as a nurse each day you are working. It will get easier and real life and school will all merge eventually so that it all starts to make sense. The more you push yourself to learn while you are at work the faster you will learn. Do not be afraid of what you do not know. Let it be a challenge for you. It is ok to think you do not know enough. You are not suppose to know it all yet. You will never know it all. That is what is so great about what we do, the opportunity for learning is endless.

TJRN · Apr 13, 2006

Thank you so much for your encouragement. I think I do more research now than I ever did when I was in school! I try to remind myself that I didn't know how to drive a car the first time I sat behind the wheel, either. With how difficult last weekend was I am dreading going in tomorrow, hopefully it will be a confidence boosting day. It's good to hear that I dont have to know everything :0).

Hoozdo, ADN · Apr 13, 2006

I'm a recent grad and have about 15 total orientation days on my MICU. Is anyone else out there new to critical care and/or nursing in general and feelig wayyyyy in over your head?

I am a new grad and feel wayyyy over my head when it comes to procedures, (like emergency intubation - what drugs do I need to get) or hemodynamics with PA cathers. It doesn't help that I have been officially preceptorless the last couple of weeks because my preceptor had a back injury. :angryfire I feel cheated out of my promised orientation. I get a patient and just ask whoever I can if I have questions. I spoke with my manager briefly about this on my last workday and he said, "but it will only last a couple of weeks". I plan to talk again tomorrow when I go back to work. I want and need a dedicated preceptor to learn as much as possible while I can!

TJRN · Apr 17, 2006

That sounds so stressful, and not fair to you or your patients! Did they give you a reason for not assigning someone new for you?

Geeg · Apr 19, 2006

You need and deserve more orientation time. Go to the manager and express your concerns again.

SillyLilly · Apr 19, 2006

All i know, and what i fear, is that people's LIVES are on the line. And secondly, your license. IF you make a mistake because you were not sure of something, because you do not have the proper training, or whatever, it is still your responsibility! I could not take that.

Hoozdo, ADN · Apr 22, 2006

All i know, and what i fear, is that people's LIVES are on the line. And secondly, your license. IF you make a mistake because you were not sure of something, because you do not have the proper training, or whatever, it is still your responsibility! I could not take that.

Thanks for the input from everyone! Actually I have found the other nurses to be more supportive and helpful than my delegated preceptor was (scary huh?). I am currently on death leave for my Mom so I haven't responded sooner.