Is this normal??!?!

8 minutes ago, Gemini616 said:

Is it normal to feel nervous about being a nurse as new grad? I just graduated last week for a ADN program. It kind of feels as though the more I think about not having a job yet the more I feel nervous? which I feel is increasing my anxiety. Anyway is this normal? Did anyone else feel this way before starting work?

Oh yes. Definitely.

I’d be worried if you didn’t feel nervous.

Yes.

Nervousness is normal for a new grad. However, if you begin to experience debilitating anxiety that is affecting your performance, attendance, health, and/or overall sense of wellbeing, that is not and might indicate that you need to speak with someone. I'm actually a big fan of having a talk therapist in general, just so one can decompress (since nursing is an inherently stressful profession to begin with), process, and analyze events as they come up.

Honey, normal is a setting on a washing machine. If you look through new grad posts here you'll find that's pretty typical. It's also typical to worry about finding a job, ending up in a job you don't really prefer, and just when you wonder if it will ever come together for you...it does.

Good luck!

Nervousness and excitement are almost one and the same. I know this from being a new nurse. I would almost make my self sick at work every shift. Then I started changing the way I thought about it. Instead of looking at new experiences as fear I looked at them in excitement and anticipation of what I could learn from them. I made sure I sought out as much instruction about a new task from a charge nurse or mentor and then I would change the fear in my brain to excitement about trying something new. Yes, you are normal!