Intimidated...

You're so not alone! All the way through nursing school I was terrified...got myself sick before every clinical and I truly thought I had no idea what I was doing and that I had somehow just snuck under the radar and gotten through school. I graduated in May and DREADED starting my job even though it was the job I truly wanted. I thought that as soon as I started they would realize how unqualified I was. I started June 26. Fast forward one month and I'm loving my job, my coworkers, my patients, and the nursing profession. I was right that I don't know a whole hell of a lot really, and that I'm not fully qualified yet--but every nurse there started out the same way and they're all determined to support me until I have more experience. It's normal to be scared--I think there would be something wrong if you weren't. But if your job is anything like mine, the orientation is in place to support you and to help you succeed. I truly thought I'd made a mistake going into nursing and now I can't imagine anything that could be as fulfilling. I wish you all of the best!!!

Nicole

I feel like I could have written the above posts! I am graduating at the end of next month and I'm dreading starting a job. I'm dreading it so much in fact, that I make myself sick and am getting depressed. At my clinical site, my preceptor keeps telling me that I do a better job than most of the new nurses they hire. I hear the external motivation from patients, staff, and my teachers when they say, "you're going to be a great nurse!" I just can't believe it and at a time in my life where I should be excited, I'm just scared out of my mind. My biggest fear, besides the fears all new nurses have, is that I'm not fast enough to be a med/surg nurse. I'm already hired though, and will be working on a med/surg unit. If anyone out there reading this felt like they weren't fast enough when they first started and it somehow worked out, let me know. As it is, I am only caring for two patients at a time and it still takes me the entire 12 hour shift to get everything done. I'm a triple checker which makes me go slow...I'm so terrified of doing anything that could cause harm. Please, send advice!!!

Much of what you are all feeling is perfectly natural. It is very normal to be nervous at first. These nerves tell me that you take the job very seriously which is great. I just finished a 4 week orientation. Yes 4 weeks! Of course I have worked in the hospital for 10 years. Some of the tasks are natural to me. I think people I work with forget that I have only been an RN for a few weeks. I am new to the position but not the facility. A whole new set of problems. I have to stop a lot and tell them I have never done that before. I am also new to night shift, a whole new world! I think we all need to take a deep breath and realize we are RN's and we will get better on a daily basis. I am going to remember that when I go to work tommorrow night and am on my own for the first time! WE WILL ALL BE GREAT! :heartbeat

By the way Beachbum3, nobody cares what you wear, it will be o.k. Once you get through the first week things will get easier!

I felt the same way through school & was convinced that I'd made a mistake as I sat through the rapid fire orientation week. However, I've been on the floor for about a month and can tell you that it has a different feeling than school. There aren't any tests to study for and no paperwork to do at home. That makes all the difference in the world for me because I can focus on learning the important tasks & precautions.

I don't know how your school worked, but mine had us providing total patient care rather than solely focusing on the RN aspect of it. If this was the case for you, then I think you'll find that you are able to work faster when you are part of the team (rather than the sole member). That doesn't mean that I don't help other team members & stick to my tasks only. I do help, but am better able to prioritize now that I'm out of school. Hope that makes sense.

It also helps greatly if you have the right preceptor. Everyone has a different learning style, so don't be afraid to speak up & let her know what works for you. For example, I learn best by doing tasks myself and having someone to bounce questions off of. Others need to watch and take notes. Find what works for you.

Finally, there will be things that will slow you down for awhile. I'm just starting to speed up on pulling meds on each pt., and I still stare blankly when looking for new supplies. These are tasks will become automatic over time, so you will get faster. Having a good brain sheet to organize yourself also helps you to become more efficient.

Finally, take some deep breaths and keep reminding yourself that you've felt this way before. Tackle each day one task at a time and your confidence will build. Good luck!

Thanks all!

I'm feeling better... the panicky feelings come and go. I'm back to being excited, which feels much better! When I'm not having a complete freak out I actually have some confidence, still feel like I'm in over my head, but I have confidence that what ever I need to learn, I can learn, that I did retain most things from school, that the other nurses will like me and not think I'm a terrible nurse and that it will all be fine. I always feel scared, but sometimes instead of that fear staying in a nice balance with the good feelings, it just completely takes over.

Thanks for the replies and support!

Wow! I'm pretty much in the same boat as you are beachbum3. I'm a brand new nurse, who just took a job working on telemetry. You're definately not the only person intimidated and feeling overwhelmed. I'm into my second week working on the unit, and everyday does seem to get alittle better. I have a 9 week orientation! Then I'm on my own with 5 patients. My preceptor started giving me my own patient this week and I'm starting with 1 and I'm going to work my way up. The unit is fairly busy and fast-paced which also intimidates me, there is always something to be done. It's hard getting into the routine of things, but I know i'll get there. I had the same feelings as you did in NS though, as I got more comfortable I became more confident. I'm hoping my feelings will be the same in this situation. I hope this helps. Good luck.

Wow, it's nice to read that others are feeling the same as I am! I feel like I could have written that post! I had my first day on the floor today and I was just shadowing and assisting with some stuff and I was just thinking, "wow I'm never going to be able to do this!" I think the hardest thing for me is going to be the transition from nursing student/nurse tech to RN. In the past if there was something I wasn't sure of I would just say, "I'm not sure, let me go get your nurse!" and now I AM the nurse, and I will need to know these things.

Everyone tells me I do a good job and I am going to be a great nurse but for some reason I can't get it into my head! But I am working on it and just have to keep telling myself: "You GRADUATED from nursing school, you PASSED your boards, and you WILL be a good nurse"

Also to the OP: don't worry at all about the scrubs, you will be just fine! I have a set of royal blue scrubs from Cherokee and they are actually one of my favorite pairs! I have seen so many different styles/brands/colors on my unit, everyone has their own look. As long as you are comfortable, that is what is important!

Brittany