Just some encouragement needed....

jodi_cmsrn · Jun 24, 2008

I was also a non-traditional new nurse (mid-30's), and was scared to death when I started. It does get easier and you will become more confident in your assessment skills. As for knowing when something is wrong, there was more than once that I have called a Doctor and said this person concerns me but I can't give you anything specific. Most doctors will ask questions and can sometimes help figure out what's wrong. Sometimes it is nothing, but just last weekend we caught an occluded leg graft and saved a women her leg.

Good luck and hang in there.

WDWpixieRN, RN · Jun 24, 2008

I was also a non-traditional new nurse (mid-30's), and was scared to death when I started. It does get easier and you will become more confident in your assessment skills. As for knowing when something is wrong, there was more than once that I have called a Doctor and said this person concerns me but I can't give you anything specific. Most doctors will ask questions and can sometimes help figure out what's wrong. Sometimes it is nothing, but just last weekend we caught an occluded leg graft and saved a women her leg.
Good luck and hang in there.

Well, I've got almost 20 years on you, lol, and I appreciate your encouragement!! I won't start hitting the floor until later this week and hope my preceptor is a good one!! I also hope our docs are good and understanding also!! :imbar

Beary-nice · Jun 25, 2008

I'm a GN heading to a Medicine floor as my first position post-graduation!
Good for you and may I say welcome!!!
I still have to take the NCLEX and with all the new things I'm learning during orientation, my head is mega-swimming!!
Ugh! I'll bet your head is swimming, mine is swimming from seeing NCLEX and orientation used in the same sentence!
My biggest fear (I'm a very non-traditional graduate nurse) is learning to really become an accomplished nurse.
This will take time so don't get hard on yourself. The one special thing that you have is being a non-trad GN. You can use some of your really powerful nuggets that you have learned in life and apply them to your work.
Even during school, it felt like there were so many S & S that overlap, could be "almost anything" (from a student's perspective), and would I ever truly be able to distinguish the good from the bad?
In time, you will know the good from the bad, and there are some things that happen that we never find a reason for. Remember ABC's and then go from there.
I read on another post about knowing lung sounds, etc., and I feel I understand those types of basics, but how long does it take to truly progress and feel that you are a good nurse -- not just someone who goes in and relies on others to help you figure things out?!?!?

Be prepared to ask for and receive help. Some folks can jump right in and others it takes longer. Be realistic. One day it will click... and the feeling will be bittersweet!

Good luck and come here anytime, let us know how things are going...that is what we are here for.

JentheRN2007 · Jun 30, 2008

I'm a GN heading to a Medicine floor as my first position post-graduation!
I still have to take the NCLEX and with all the new things I'm learning during orientation, my head is mega-swimming!!
My biggest fear (I'm a very non-traditional graduate nurse) is learning to really become an accomplished nurse.
Even during school, it felt like there were so many S & S that overlap, could be "almost anything" (from a student's perspective), and would I ever truly be able to distinguish the good from the bad?
I read on another post about knowing lung sounds, etc., and I feel I understand those types of basics, but how long does it take to truly progress and feel that you are a good nurse -- not just someone who goes in and relies on others to help you figure things out?!?!?

First, congratulations on surviving nursing school!! :yeah: Secondly, I have been a nurse for a year and a half and came out of school petrified of the same things you mentioned...here is some advice for what it is worth:

Dont ever be afraid to ask a lot of questions...it is important to have a good preceptor that is open...if she/he isn't get another one. Don't be afraid to say you are nervous...it just shows that you are conscientious and take your job (which is taking care of peop) seriously. My charge nurse told me that nothing scares her more than a new grad who 'knows it all'...it can be dangerous and is how a lot of mistakes happen. She also said it takes about two years to start feeling 'comfortable' as a nurse.

Jump in....meaning take every experience you can...volunteer for the situations that scare you....once you see that you are NOT alone and can do it...it takes the anxiety away. There are nurses, doctors, PA's etc on staff that are there to help you and work as a team. You will always run into someone less helpful and if you do...just move to the next person....most should be helpful (varies..I know) You will get use to seeing the same dx, orders, treatments etc and before you know it you will know what S and S are pertinent to that particular patient's condition and what to do..if you don't recognize lung sounds at first, ask someone to listen behind you...There is NOOO shame in trying to be the best you can.....Like everything else, it just takes time....with that your experience will grow as well as your confidence!! And believe me, this is coming from the biggest scaredy cat ever :chuckle Best of luck you will do great.

WDWpixieRN, RN · Jun 30, 2008

And believe me, this is coming from the biggest scaredy cat ever :chuckle Best of luck you will do great.

Thank you....I love the words of encouragement...studying for the NCLEX with Kaplan and Saunders can make one wonder where they were during nursing school....I was pretty sure I attended all the lectures, but OMG, am I wondering now?!?!?

Scaredy cat is right...I am petrified I'm going to kill someone!!