how long do i feel like an idiot?

starletRN · Nov 18, 2009

Rockenmom,

The notebook is a great idea. I'll have to try that myself. I have a cheat sheet but it's starting to look pretty warn and I need to add more info.

I've been on the floor for 8 months. 3 of which were orientation and still feel like I don't know anything. The things I learned in school to be careful of don't seem to worry anyone but me. I call up the doctor to ask if a patient should be on a certain med and they think I'm nuts for asking. But I would rather ask a dumb question than take the risk of harming someone.

I also feel like I'm forgetting everything I learned in school.

sunnycalifRN · Nov 18, 2009

How long before you get comfortable with nursing? I have been a nurse for about a year. I still feel like an idiot.

I work in ICU and it was two years for me. I was lucky cuz a 35 yr veteran RN saw me floundering about and took me under his wing.

nsue · Oct 22, 2011

All I can say is you are not alone! I guess all we can do is try to learn and do our best. If others think we are idiots there is nothing we can do about it. Just ignore those who would rather say something negative than help you!

Ruby Vee, BSN · Oct 22, 2011

how long before you get comfortable with nursing? i have been a nurse for about a year. i still feel like an idiot.

as a charge nurse and a preceptor, i'd much rather work with you than the nurse who thinks she knows everything! if you feel clueless, you'll ask the question before you go ahead and do something that seems right but maybe isn't. if you feel like an idiot, you'll be open to learning . . . if i see you doing something stupid and tell you about it, you might get it and learn something rather than defending whatever dumbass thing you were doing because after all, you've been a nurse for a whole year.

i work with a number of brand new nurses, but there are two that spring to mind . . . eddie thinks he knows everything, and he's happy to tell you how clueless and stupid all those other nurses are. if you try to teach him something, he either ignores you or flaps his jaw about his own awesomeness. frankie is still scared to death. she'll look up a procedure before attempting to do something new, and then she'll check it out with a more senior nurse. if she has a question about a drug dosage or route, she'll look it up. she's not afraid to look stupid. consequently, she rarely does anything stupid. eddie, on the other hand, is always doing something stupid only he's so convinced he's right, he doesn't get it. i'd rather work with frankie.

nsue · Oct 22, 2011

I have seen lots of Eddies and Frankies in school and at work. I would like to be more confident but never shut my mind to learning! I would want Frankie any day!

groovy jeff, RN · Oct 25, 2011

when your green, you grow and when your ripe, you rot.............

EDnursetobe · Oct 25, 2011

I think the thing is, most other professions allow people to be human.

In nursing if you make one mistake or forget something, they cut you down big time. 'they' being other RNs, managers, doctors, PCTs, patient's and everyone you've ever met...

And instead of trying to problem-solve, they just get irrationally angry.

or maybe that's just my experience...

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Oct 25, 2011

I'm with Ruby Vee....there are few things worse in nursing than a newbie who doesn't ask any questions.