Just passed NCLEX & am TERRIFIED

[the_nervous_nurse]

I was at the top of my class, studying the night before exams and getting A's. I was book smart. I passed the NCLEX-RN in 75 questions.

Unfortunately, while that may sound like paradise to some, it did nothing to alleviate the constant anxiety in my mind that I will be completely incompetent in practice.

My path into nursing was a long and weird one. I got one bachelor degree in preparation to go to nursing school, and then started all over again with my ADN. Now i'm taking BSN classes online.

I watch my peers start new jobs, no one publically admitting to disliking anything or feeling stupid.

I didn't always know the answers in clinical. I knew some things. I didn't know other completely stupid things like ECF meaning extended care facility. I forgot that glucocorticoids can increase blood glucose when my instructor asked me. I forgot to ask a patient to fully describe their pain. Really stupid mistakes that have stuck with me for a year.

I have no previous medical field experience. This makes me feel even worse.

I have a question for all of you: what areas do you think are ideal for anxious new grads to work in? Do you think I can handle the chaotic workload of a med-surg floor if I give myself time to learn and adjust? Is it normal to feel like a complete idiot at this point? It makes me so scared when I read "Nurses are completely responsible for the care provided to patients, must educate the patients", not because I don't want to, but because I honestly don't know what I would tell a patient when educating them about things. I don't know when to call a doctor. I don't know what kind of assistance hospitals provide new grads. I feel like I'm going to be thrown to the wolves and end up hurting a patient.

Update: I've always experienced anxiety on the floor. Once my hands were shaking at the start of my OB rotation just trying to take a temperature to the point where my instructor told me "Relax, you're doing fine" in a disheartening tone. My problem is I can't relax because I'm so afraid of being an idiot.

Please help if you can. I'm at my wit's end trying to get over this.

[NICUismylife, ADN, BSN, RN]

Look for a new grad residency program.

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

Every kid has visions of crashing and getting hurt when the training wheels are taken off their bike. They will stumble at first, but in a short time they are flying down the block. The same is true s a new grad nurse. Every new grad has the same feelings as you do when they first start their RN career. Hopefully, you can find a new grad residency or a hospital that does a great job transitioning new grads into the workforce.

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-student/about-to-graduate-1068152.html

[the_nervous_nurse]

Thank you; it helps to know I'm not alone since my peers have never been verbal about anxieties at all.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I watch my peers start new jobs, no one publically admitting to disliking anything or feeling stupid.

You gotta fake it until you make it. You do not want to publicly admit to feeling stupid because patients, families, and certain coworkers will rip you apart once they sense a morsel of insecurity in you.

There are many aspects of nursing I dislike such as demanding patients, poopy bedpans, most hands-on procedural skills, verbally abusive visitors, and the forced interactions. However, I will never admit to disliking these things in a clinical setting. It is in my best interests to keep these dislikes to myself and fake it until I make it.

As always, ask questions if you are unsure of something. Nonetheless, present yourself as a confident clinician who is open to the quest of lifelong learning. Good luck to you!

[the_nervous_nurse]

I guess I should have specified I didn't mean in clinical, but rather just social gatherings at school. I'd never want anyone to talk about how nervous they are in front of patients! Thank you for your kind words! I am always ready to learn whatever someone will teach me!