Is anyone else SCARED, after reading some posts from 1st years?

GrnHonu99, RN · Sep 2, 2005

Ok, I'm a senior nursing student and let me tell you it's not that bad. You will see nurses who you do not wish to emulate. Take this into consideration and do not become like them. This is a learning experience. I have NEVER been yelled at (yet), and most RN's are appriciative of our presence on their floor. I really love my clinical time. It is a time that assist me in feeling positive about the experience and information I have gained. Please don't feel defeated before it comes to you. Instead of looking at how you are judged by the staff at a clinical facility... trust how those you are caring for feel about you.

I totally agree! I have loved every minute of my clincial, or atleast took away something from it...All my instructors have been great. Ive met a few nurses along the way that are less than desirable but eh, whatever...i learn from the good ones and try to ignore the not so good ones...or atleast learn how not to be from them...I cant say ive ever been belittled or yelled at, even if i had been, well im sure itll happen somewhere along the way but eh, whatever, i wont let it bother me:) Good luck everyone, oh and thanks for letting me ramble!

Paula7 · Sep 2, 2005

thanks you guys! you are all so great and encouraging! :yeah:

thanks again! :)

missninaRN · Sep 2, 2005

I have to admit that my "gung ho" attitude towards nursing was dampened slightly after I read some of the posts in the "first year in nursing" forum. If I were to base my expectations of my initiation into nursing soley on those posts, I would make myself sick.

However, as many have stated here, I do think that we all tend to post more about difficulties. This is a place where a new nurse can vent. I would assume that there are many more first year nurses who are not having such a rough time, but they are not posting as much about their experiences.

I also think that some of us view the same situation or event in different ways. What may really hurt one of us and cause us pain and stress may roll off the shoulders of another.

I know I will make mistakes, and as much as that will devastate me and lead me to question my capabilities, I know that I will learn from them. I know that I will not be as fast as the seasoned nurses when I start out, but I know that in time I will develop my skills and speed and organisation of tasks.

One of my biggest concerns regarding nursing is the idea of horizontal violence-when co-workers attack each other (you know, that "nurses eat their young" legend). When I do make a mistake or don't work fast enough, the way I am treated by my co-workers could make the difference between handling my first year well or feeling like I am a stressed out failure.

I think that most of us who are worried about starting out as a nurse feel like this. It is not whether we will be perfect nurses right out of school, but whether our co-workers will accept our imperfections and help us grow into great nurses, or will they use our faults to attack and tear us down? Staff morale is so important. If we work in a positive environment, the stresses of beginning a nursing career will be more bearable than if we work in a workplace that is unsupportive or even hostile.

In my own experience as a pastor's wife (for nearly 23 year), I have dealt with many different kinds of people, some of them at the worst moments of their lives, some of them when they were at their worst, behavior-wise. For some reason, being in ministry makes you a magnet for troubled and angry people.

As a result of dealing with so many types of people, I have learned some things about hurtful people:

1. Bullies tend to pick up on the insecurities in others-they "smell fear". If I have an insecurity in some area, a mean and vindicitive person is more likely to hit me in that soft spot. If I am secure in who I am, if I am a "whole" person rather than wounded, I am less likely to feel the pain of such an attack. Instead, I am able to exhibit care and concern for my "attacker", which very often will diffuse a situation. It's important for everyone to pursue healing of their emotional wounds. It makes us better able to deal with those who have not done so.

2. Hurting people hurt people. Someone who is not "whole" but is instead is one of the walking wounded is more likely to go around hurting others. So often, when someone has been unkind to me, it is because of the pain in their own lives. Which leads me to the most important point:

3. It's usually not about me. There is so much going on under the surface. We can never know what another person is dealing with, has gone through, or what pain they carry every day. Most of the time, when someone hurts us, it really isn't about us or what we did wrong. It's about them and their own pain. To be able to recognise this truth enables me to let that "stuff" they throw at me just slide right off. When I am wrong, I can admit it. When I am not wrong, but am being treated like I am, I can know that it's not about me. The other person is hurting, and a calm response or a little kindness and compassion may help alleviate some of their burden.

Sapphy, BSN, RN · Sep 2, 2005

I have to admit that my "gung ho" attitude towards nursing was dampened slightly after I read some of the posts in the "first year in nursing" forum. If I were to base my expectations of my initiation into nursing soley on those posts, I would make myself sick.
However, as many have stated here, I do think that we all tend to post more about difficulties. This is a place where a new nurse can vent. I would assume that there are many more first year nurses who are not having such a rough time, but they are not posting as much about their experiences.
I also think that some of us view the same situation or event in different ways. What may really hurt one of us and cause us pain and stress may roll off the shoulders of another.
I know I will make mistakes, and as much as that will devastate me and lead me to question my capabilities, I know that I will learn from them. I know that I will not be as fast as the seasoned nurses when I start out, but I know that in time I will develop my skills and speed and organisation of tasks.
One of my biggest concerns regarding nursing is the idea of horizontal violence-when co-workers attack each other (you know, that "nurses eat their young" legend). When I do make a mistake or don't work fast enough, the way I am treated by my co-workers could make the difference between handling my first year well or feeling like I am a stressed out failure.
I think that most of us who are worried about starting out as a nurse feel like this. It is not whether we will be perfect nurses right out of school, but whether our co-workers will accept our imperfections and help us grow into great nurses, or will they use our faults to attack and tear us down? Staff morale is so important. If we work in a positive environment, the stresses of beginning a nursing career will be more bearable than if we work in a workplace that is unsupportive or even hostile.
In my own experience as a pastor's wife (for nearly 23 year), I have dealt with many different kinds of people, some of them at the worst moments of their lives, some of them when they were at their worst, behavior-wise. For some reason, being in ministry makes you a magnet for troubled and angry people.
As a result of dealing with so many types of people, I have learned some things about hurtful people:
1. Bullies tend to pick up on the insecurities in others-they "smell fear". If I have an insecurity in some area, a mean and vindicitive person is more likely to hit me in that soft spot. If I am secure in who I am, if I am a "whole" person rather than wounded, I am less likely to feel the pain of such an attack. Instead, I am able to exhibit care and concern for my "attacker", which very often will diffuse a situation. It's important for everyone to pursue healing of their emotional wounds. It makes us better able to deal with those who have not done so.
2. Hurting people hurt people. Someone who is not "whole" but is instead is one of the walking wounded is more likely to go around hurting others. So often, when someone has been unkind to me, it is because of the pain in their own lives. Which leads me to the most important point:
3. It's usually not about me. There is so much going on under the surface. We can never know what another person is dealing with, has gone through, or what pain they carry every day. Most of the time, when someone hurts us, it really isn't about us or what we did wrong. It's about them and their own pain. To be able to recognise this truth enables me to let that "stuff" they throw at me just slide right off. When I am wrong, I can admit it. When I am not wrong, but am being treated like I am, I can know that it's not about me. The other person is hurting, and a calm response or a little kindness and compassion may help alleviate some of their burden.

Let me speak as a new nurse who is not having sauch a rough time! I have had my share of difficulties and have been in tears more than once... but overall my experience as a new nurse has been a positive one! Sometimes I look at what I do and wonder was 4 years of school worth this? I spend my night peddling pills and wiping butts... then I get that ONE patient who tells me that I am his favorite nurse and it makes it all worth it. Or, I have a patient smile at me when I come in their room (even if I am NOT carrying a pain pill) like they are actually happy to see me.

Nursing school was tough....I had severe self confidence issues... wondered a million times if I was doing the right thing... and my answer is a great big YES!!

Paula7 · Sep 2, 2005

let me speak as a new nurse who is not having sauch a rough time! i have had my share of difficulties and have been in tears more than once... but overall my experience as a new nurse has been a positive one! sometimes i look at what i do and wonder was 4 years of school worth this? i spend my night peddling pills and wiping butts... then i get that one patient who tells me that i am his favorite nurse and it makes it all worth it. or, i have a patient smile at me when i come in their room (even if i am not carrying a pain pill) like they are actually happy to see me.
nursing school was tough....i had severe self confidence issues... wondered a million times if i was doing the right thing... and my answer is a great big yes!!

thanks. your post really put it into perspective. thanks for being so honest.

on a silly note, exactly how much butt wiping is involved in nursing?

GrnHonu99, RN · Sep 2, 2005

As a result of dealing with so many types of people, I have learned some things about hurtful people:
1. Bullies tend to pick up on the insecurities in others-they "smell fear". If I have an insecurity in some area, a mean and vindicitive person is more likely to hit me in that soft spot. If I am secure in who I am, if I am a "whole" person rather than wounded, I am less likely to feel the pain of such an attack. Instead, I am able to exhibit care and concern for my "attacker", which very often will diffuse a situation. It's important for everyone to pursue healing of their emotional wounds. It makes us better able to deal with those who have not done so.
2. Hurting people hurt people. Someone who is not "whole" but is instead is one of the walking wounded is more likely to go around hurting others. So often, when someone has been unkind to me, it is because of the pain in their own lives. Which leads me to the most important point:
3. It's usually not about me. There is so much going on under the surface. We can never know what another person is dealing with, has gone through, or what pain they carry every day. Most of the time, when someone hurts us, it really isn't about us or what we did wrong. It's about them and their own pain. To be able to recognise this truth enables me to let that "stuff" they throw at me just slide right off. When I am wrong, I can admit it. When I am not wrong, but am being treated like I am, I can know that it's not about me. The other person is hurting, and a calm response or a little kindness and compassion may help alleviate some of their burden.

very well said!

elisabeth · Sep 2, 2005

I'm excited about nursing school. I'm finishing my last semester of Anatomy & Physiology now and am applying (in progress) for spring 06 admission to the nursing program at Sierra College. It's the only one in my area that allows grades in progress to be considered. If I don't get in then I apply to Sac City and ARC for Fall 06 as I'd planned.

Sometimes I get scared and then I have to remind myself that I'm going to be attending nursing school for a reason. They're not just going to throw me to the wolves expecting me to know everything I don't know. I have friends who are LVNs and are finishing their pre-reqs for the upward mobility program and they said they were very comfortable in their positions after 6-12 months on the job.

We'll all be excited and nervous the first day of class and we'll all be scared out of our minds the first day of clinicals, but it will all be a great learning experience for us and we'll eventually be able to put the RN after our names. :)

Paula7 · Sep 2, 2005

https://allnurses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=99143&page=1&pp=10

here's a link that totally scares me!

it's stories like these that make me doubt my choice.

but i know everyone is different, just hard to hear the negative. :uhoh21:

dreatx · Sep 3, 2005

Experience tells me that things are never as bad as other people tell you they will be. Basic training was not as horrible as i was told. Airborne school was not bad at all. Fighting forest fires was not as harrowing as all the stories led me to believe, either. I think that people tell outsiders crazy stories and, as an outsider, you have no way of applying any perspective to their stories.

I am sure that difficult times are ahead but nothing that cannot be handled.

good luck.

(and good luck to me too, since i am not even in nursing school yet).

LaKia0210 · Sep 9, 2005

hi all,

i've been reading some posts from the nurses in their first year and i have to admit, it made me kinda nervous. people talking about hating clinicals and getting yelled at in front of other nurses and errors in charting and...

is anybody else nervous or sometimes feel...do i really want to do this? i sometimes think that but then i think about how much i want to and can't wait and get really excited.

so am i alone out there? :)

no you are not alone because everyday i hear someone in nursing complaining and it makes even more scared than i already am. i just keep praying for all the negative energy to go away.

Paula7 · Sep 9, 2005

No you are not alone because everyday I hear someone in nursing complaining and it makes even more scared than I already am. I just keep praying for all the negative energy to go away.

I think we just have to remember how much we want to do this. Every job has it's negatives I guess!

EMTandNurse2B · Sep 11, 2005

In my school, by the time you have finished your pre-reqs and are being considered for the nursing program you have heard enough horror stories to want to run away from it all! Everything from the professors hating you, to clinicals being awful, to tests that everybody flunks...the list could go on. I just tried to not let those stories influence me, and wait until it was me in the class to make any judgements. So far, I've found it to be WAY better than all the stories I've heard. Yes, it is hard, but in no way impossible. I'm still in my third week, so we will see how it ends up, but I know that if I keep going I can do it!

I think it's the same way with your first job, wait until you are there to make your opinions of it. Don't let other's failures make you a failure. You can do it, just keep going!