how long do i feel like an idiot?

starletRN · Nov 11, 2009

I know what you mean. I just hit the 8 month mark and still feel clueless.

c_loveya · Nov 11, 2009

Been asking myself the same question......this job takes some getting used to. It's hard not to feel discouraged when you see everyone else around you so directed and focused while you feel overwhelmed and lost. Find support from colleagues you trust while you're learning. It IS a difficult job and don't let anyone make you feel stupid because you forgot or didn't know something. And don't dwell on the negative, can't build confidence if you beat yourself up over every mistake.

At least, this is what I keep telling myself when faced with the tough days, which is feeling like almost every day. Good luck!

BellaInBlueScrubsRN · Nov 12, 2009

I'll be at the 1 year mark next month. Just now am I really getting comfortable. I still feel REALLY stupid sometimes.. And sometimes feel like I am asking way too many questions. There is just so much to learn! I'm always paranoid people think I'm an idiot. Especially when I hear the other nurses gossiping about newbies and older RNs that make mistakes!

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Nov 12, 2009

I have been a nurse since 1993.

And I still feel like an idiot at times.

Jules A, MSN · Nov 12, 2009

As a new nurse I'd say around the 8 month mark but then I lost the "I'm new" excuse I used internally to cut myself some slack when I felt inferior. Although like Caroladybelle wrote there are still times when I feel like an idiot and maybe thats a good thing to keep us on our toes and learning.

mich321 · Nov 12, 2009

It's been about 9 months for me. I have some days where I feel somewhat confident and some days where I feel like I really don't know anything yet. I know I'll never know it all though, so I just keep asking questions and looking things up!

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Nov 12, 2009

It was 2 years for me.

shoegalRN, RN · Nov 12, 2009

I'll be at the 1 year mark next month. Just now am I really getting comfortable. I still feel REALLY stupid sometimes.. And sometimes feel like I am asking way too many questions. There is just so much to learn! I'm always paranoid people think I'm an idiot. Especially when I hear the other nurses gossiping about newbies and older RNs that make mistakes!

It makes such a hard work environment when I hear other RN's gossip about the care or a mistake another RN has made. It doesnt have to be a new RN or an old one, just anyone who makes a mistake or mess up (where pt is not harmed) they are not immuned from being talked about and then those same RN's smile all up in their face when they see them.

I find coworkers like that hard to trust, and on top of it, I think they are insecure. If you have to point out every little mistake someone else makes to make yourself look like the more "better, smarter nurse", then you need a reality check.

I've come from a business background where I worked with MEN, and I've never had to worry about someone judging my work behind my back and then smiling in my face. If there was an issue, it was brought out in the open and discussed right then and there, and then it was resolved. None of this passive aggressiveness mess I see in nursing.

I've learned to keep to myself and I know who I can ask questions and who I stay away from. I don't discuss my personal life and I keep my work life and personal life seperate. I've seen RN's talk about a new grad so bad she went to the charge nurse in tears. It's like they get some kinda satisfaction from making someone cry. And these are nurses who are still new themselves doing all this foolishness. I'm talking about a little over 1 year experience.

MB37 · Nov 14, 2009

I'm at about 14 months, and I'm starting to feel like less of an idiot. Newer nurses are coming to me for help, and that scares me a little. I still do idiotic things periodically, but I trust my skills more and would rather make an unnecessary phone call than decide not to call when I should have.

GucciRN22 · Nov 17, 2009

When I was on the floor I'd say about a year, but since I've switched to ICU, I don't really see an end in sight! lol It gets better every time I work though, so that's saying something, I guess.

rockenmomRN · Nov 17, 2009

I actually carried my MED/SURG book to work for the first year (aug2009 made one year) Just because we're not 'students' doesn't mean we are not still learning. I also bought a notebook that I wrote down every new diagnosis to me. From Asthma to Vaginitis I write the diagnosis and top interventions as well as relavent labs to look out for. This has saved my life on more than one occassion.

craziest thing i ever had was a patient who was turning blue saturating at 85% on 10L 02 A&O. Mad as can be that we had her awake at 3am trying to get her to turn pink. As the dr was leaving the room he saw a HurriCaine spray on the desk and asked me to throw it away. I went home and researched the spray turns out it causes methemoglobinemia. Now when I see it as a PRN drug I call the doc and ask them if they're sure they want this used as a PRN drug. I'm aslo able to use my research to back my questions.

Other newbies now ask if they can refer/review my notebook. When more seasoned nurses caught on to what I was doing they were willing to help me add to it.

As far as feeling like an idiot? Just know who you can or cannot ask questions, your charge nurse should be your resource as well as the nurse educator.

just my opinion