Is it normal to graduate nursing school & feel like you know nothing.

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Specializes in Med-Surg/Ortho.

Im a senior BSN student who will be going into my last semester of school after the holiday break. And im so terrified as I get closer to graduation because I feel like I dont know enough to be a nurse. Academically im pretty close to being a straight A student and I have no problems passing my clinicals. Its just that I sometimes feel overwhelmed during clinicals because there is still so much I feel I dont know. And I express these fears with other nurses & my professors and they all have told me that most of the learning comes when you actually start working as a nurse which makes me feel a little better. But I still feel like once I graduate and once i get a job the nurses will think im stupid or be thinking "wasnt she suppose to have learned that in school". Im just terrified...I wanna be a great nurse but im scared that I dont know enough.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Yup..it's normal. Nursing school really just prepares you to learn. You will learn so much more once you start working as a nurse. Just hang in there. It'll come. I like to think of nursing as a life long learning profession.

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Wow, I feel like I could have written this post 2 years ago. I felt EXACTLY the same way then as you do now...terrified! It might not be of comfort to just hear it, but trust me...things will get easier! You will learn more than you ever thought possible on the job. There is no way to know everything (or even a tiny part of everything). Whichever specialty you go into, that floor will orient you. They go through this all the time and know you'll need guidance. Relax, take a deep breath, and ENJOY your senior year (it will be over before you know it!) Best of luck!

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Specializes in MS, ER.

If your scared, you will most likely be a great nurse. It's those that think they know everything that scare the bejesus out of me.

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I'm graduating in 2 weeks and I feel the same way! I hear it is normal and what we are learning in school is just the beginning and the real learning begins when you work!

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Specializes in psych. rehab nursing, float pool.

What you are feeling is normal. Any of our schooling gives us the bones to perform in our professions. They rest comes from working with the patient, and others in the medical field . We continue to hone our skills throughout our careers. Learning will never end, you will however become a better nurse with each passing experience and skill you master, crisis you manage etc.

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Wasn't there a song by Boston called "More Than a Feeling"?????????:lol2:

That's how I felt just out of school.

The thing is, feelings tend to overshoot reality, both good and bad. So, even though we may feel like we know nothing at all, the actual knowledge we bring from school is quite extensive.

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Your post made me laugh - for a good reason. I felt the EXACT same way once I graduated and started working. Other nurses were talking about stuff they made seem like common knowledge. I'm sure my dazed and confused facial expressions were priceless. I am just now hitting the 5 month mark as a nurse. Nursing school gives you the background knowledge - real life bedside nursing teaches you what you really need to know - critical thinking and the ability to constantly reprioritize your patient care. I felt dumb as a brick starting orientation, but the amount of knowledge I've acquired has blown my mind.

I also agree with an above comment, if you are worried, you are likely to be a great nurse. My greatest advice is to always, always ask questions, no matter how dumb your question may seem. Chances are, the person you're asking once asked that same question. It's when you don't ask that you'll find yourself in trouble. If you and your preceptor don't get along well - speak up early. It will be extremely overwhelming at first. I can remember being overwhelmed with one patient, having NO idea how I'd be able to handle 5 patients. Stick it out and gives yourself time. You will be completely fine. :)

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Specializes in NICU.

You are *so* normal :D I know I certainly felt utterly unprepared for life in the "real" nursing world. I think it is that feeling compels me to look things up and try to keep learning about my patients. As another poster stated, its when you feel like you know everything about everything that you become a dangerous nurse.

Good luck to you!

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Entirely normal.

:)

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Specializes in ER/Trauma.

I'd be more scared if you thought you knew it all...

Confidence is great, don't get me wrong.

But there is a difference between being "confident" versus "cocky know it all".

I was a preceptee in the ED for 6 weeks before I graduated. I was under the awesome tutelage of a kick ass ED nurse with over 25 years experience.

And she gave me this invaluable piece of advice:

"Listen kid. The day you stop learning is the day you should hang up your nursing shoes, go home and quit for good. Good nurses know they are good - but also know that to stay that way they have to keep learning. Every. Single. Day. Talk to the Docs. Talk to the techs. Talk to RT. Radiology. Medics. The list don't end there!!!

Everyone can teach you something valuable that will help you take care of your patient that much better. Don't let that fancy college degree fool ya - there's always something to learn..."

cheers,

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Specializes in Med-Surg/Ortho.

thank you guys sooo much for your kind and encouraging words. im still terrified but it helps to know that its normal lol. i just cant wait to get finished and get this show on the road & begin the REAL learning.

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