Lvn and scared

flwannaB · Jul 14, 2006

Nothing is wrong with you. I know for a fact that I am going to feel the same way. Im not yet finished and I am starting to worry about it myself. I have heard that things will come to you. There is a period of training. Employers know that you have no experience. Be confident, learn and watch as much as you can from others, learn from your mistakes, and take a deep breath. Before you know it, you will be training a new LVN that feels exactly the same way as you did. Good luck.

HI All!
I just received my license as an lvn, and Im scared to death about finding a job. Im scared I'll do something wrong, Im scared I won't remember anything. Im scared I didn't learn enough. I really don't know why, I loved school and studying for my Nclex. I could tell you verbally anything you really want to know. But actually doing it frightens me. I really want to get over this. Im thinking should I just go back to to school because I feel really comfortable learning, but not doing. Someone please Help! What's the matter with me.
Scared to be a Nurse!

LPNJen · Jul 14, 2006

I'm so glad to hear that I'm not the only one! Last week I found out that I passed the NCLEX and received an offer for my first job three days later. The LTC facility wants me to start Aug. 1st, and at least they say they'll give me a few weeks of training. In clinicals, I was only responsible for 2 patients, and always had an instructor holding my hand. Now I'll be the nurse for half of the facility and supervising CNAs(that already know their job). It is so real now, and I'm not sure I'm ready for it. Any good words of advice?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jul 18, 2006

Ninety percent of your learning will occur on the job. After a few months of working, you will soon realize that your nursing program would have never been fully capable of teaching you everything you need to know.

My pieces of advice are to always ask questions, listen to your CNAs, don't ever pretend to know things, use common sense, and manage your time very well. Most importantly, you need to walk and talk with confidence. If your body language conveys a message of insecurity and weakness, everyone at the workplace will simply walk all over you like a doormat (patients, coworkers, managers, etc.). You need to be assertive, stand up to people, and have a backbone.

emllpn2006 · Jul 19, 2006

:yeahthat: I feel the same way. I just passed the nclex-pn on Friday and got my license in the mail today. I have been having trouble finding a job in my area so I am going to work a non nursing job until something opens up or I get the funds to move to where work is. I am scared to death that in this time I will forget things and I will be so out of practice by the time I find a job. Out instructors at school told us that every time they run into a new grad at one of the nursing homes they go to in clinicals they always beg them to hold their hand and go with them to do procedures. When I find a job this will be me. :doh: :doh:

LPNJen · Jul 25, 2006

I just had my first day on the job in LTC. Mostly I shadowed my preceptor and did a bunch of blood sugars and insulin. I'm concerned that the skills she was expecting me do be able to do, I'm not scheduled to learn in school until my RN year. How do I know if I'm in over my head, doing skills out of LPN scope, or if my school just hasn't gotten to the info yet? I checked my board of nursing website, and couldn't find the information. This job is going to be a great learning experience, but hugely stressful until I figure it out. I almost can't wait to get back to school (I can't believe I wrote that!).....

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jul 27, 2006

I just had my first day on the job in LTC. Mostly I shadowed my preceptor and did a bunch of blood sugars and insulin. I'm concerned that the skills she was expecting me do be able to do, I'm not scheduled to learn in school until my RN year. How do I know if I'm in over my head, doing skills out of LPN scope, or if my school just hasn't gotten to the info yet? I checked my board of nursing website, and couldn't find the information. This job is going to be a great learning experience, but hugely stressful until I figure it out. I almost can't wait to get back to school (I can't believe I wrote that!).....

Totally understandable. I just received my license in June, and started orientation two weeks ago. Right now, I am shadowing an LPN, and while I know what is happening in my head, to actually do it scares me to death. But, somehow, this, too, shall pass.

blueiwahine · Jul 28, 2006

I just had my first day on the job in LTC. Mostly I shadowed my preceptor and did a bunch of blood sugars and insulin. I'm concerned that the skills she was expecting me do be able to do...
Jen,
Hang in there I graduated in May with my BSN, RN and just started at my local hospital nurse residency program...I've been shadowing the other nurse also, I feel totally awkward and like I never learned a thing in school...but just taking it one day at a time...everyone says it will get easier as I get use to the routine and all the paperwork...I wish that time would hurry up and get here...because I'm stressing....So for now, just laughing at myself and continuing on.
Debbie

blueiwahine · Jul 28, 2006

I'm so glad to hear that I'm not the only one! Last week I found out that I passed the NCLEX and received an offer for my first job three days later. The LTC facility wants me to start Aug. 1st, and at least they say they'll give me a few weeks of training. In clinicals, I was only responsible for 2 patients, and always had an instructor holding my hand. Now I'll be the nurse for half of the facility and supervising CNAs(that already know their job). It is so real now, and I'm not sure I'm ready for it. Any good words of advice?

Take it one day at a time...There's no way it's going to all fall in place at once...I am working on my calm attitude...because I use to want to freak everyday...Where I'm at now...there is a CNA that is awesome...she is like so organized, punctual on everything...knows what she is doing or at least puts up a great front...I feel so stupid and clumsy compared to her and what all she knows...Good Luck! Debbie

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jul 28, 2006

Jen,

Hang in there I graduated in May with my BSN, RN and just started at my local hospital nurse residency program...I've been shadowing the other nurse also, I feel totally awkward and like I never learned a thing in school...but just taking it one day at a time...everyone says it will get easier as I get use to the routine and all the paperwork...I wish that time would hurry up and get here...because I'm stressing....So for now, just laughing at myself and continuing on.

Debbie

I feel like a complete idiot as well. My husband told me the day before I started on the med-surg floor that I was going to be baptized by fire, and he did not lie...it is a zoo! I think that I can get it if they are patient, and if I make myself not panic under the scrutiny. What is unfortunate for me is that my actual assignment is working in a clinic. They are giving me 6 weeks of medical surgical experience because I am a new grad, and from there, to the clinic I'll go. I told them that I want to do overtime in med-surg so that I don't lose my skills. I also wish the time would hurry up, but, then, if I keep rushing, I'll make mistakes, and that is what I don't want. You are not alone!!

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jul 28, 2006

Take it one day at a time...There's no way it's going to all fall in place at once...I am working on my calm attitude...because I use to want to freak everyday...Where I'm at now...there is a CNA that is awesome...she is like so organized, punctual on everything...knows what she is doing or at least puts up a great front...I feel so stupid and clumsy compared to her and what all she knows...Good Luck! Debbie

Isn't it amazing how the CNA can make a new nurse humble as an ant?? I feel that way...I think that dietary aides are smarter than me these days... :eek:

blueiwahine · Jul 29, 2006

It's always nice to hear there are other people experiencing what I am and feel the way I do. In school it drove me crazy...because I thought I was the only one feeling like I didn't get it... once we graduated they would tell me they were scared shitless the whole time in nursing school...It would of been nice to know that at the time so I wasn't so hard on myself...Now I've decided I will never let anything upset me like nursing school did. I am working on taking my time and checking everything I do before I actually do it...Still have the fear of messing up or hurting someone...Everyday at the end of shift....I have to say thank you god for not letting me kill someone today.

Deb