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.
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
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
Oh, yeah, I was scared out of my seat the whole time I was sitting there in class, and now, I am scared, too. But, I have to treat this like anything else...I was scared in school, scared for NCLEX and made it with flying colors, so, I have to know that I can do this, too! So can you!
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
I know I can...just taking it one day at a time.
Thanks, deb
Now that I graduated, received my license and started orientation, I find myself pulling out some of my textbooks (pharmacology in particular), and thought..."How am I going to remember all of this stuff?" ; then, I thought about it and said just as you stated "One day at a time". One of the reasons why they stress safety (I believe) is that there is no way that the nurse will remember all of this material in one shot. When you are not sure, obtain a resource. Each unit should have a policy and procedure manual available to check out if there are questions, and there are many portable books to have. I just recently purchased a pharmacology book so small that it actually fits the palm of my hand, yet it has all of the information I need about medications, so, I don't have to borrow the unit drug book or lug in the Davis Drug Guide (which I find is too cumbersome to carry in my pocket). One nurse asked me to borrow it for a moment the other day, and she has been an RN for over 20 years. She said "These days, they have PDAs, miniature booklets and such that we didn't have. Makes things easier". So, if a senior nurse does not remember each step, why should I die about it? As long as I am safe and careful, I should do okay.
You guys took the words right out of my mouth. I too am a new LVN working in med surg since April and am scared every day. My hospital gives me 10-14 patients and I am overwhelmed and just waiting for it to get easier, better, more comfortable. Some days I want to give up, other days I say I have to hang on. It's really hard. I ask alot of questions and some RNs are nice and others are mean to me. Some are supportive and others are not. You are not alone. Just to let you know. God bless and take care all of you. We can do this with God's help. Without him I could not get through this. I am 48 and changing careers from law so this is really new to me.
You guys took the words right out of my mouth. I too am a new LVN working in med surg since April and am scared every day. My hospital gives me 10-14 patients and I am overwhelmed and just waiting for it to get easier, better, more comfortable. Some days I want to give up, other days I say I have to hang on. It's really hard. I ask alot of questions and some RNs are nice and others are mean to me. Some are supportive and others are not. You are not alone. Just to let you know. God bless and take care all of you. We can do this with God's help. Without him I could not get through this. I am 48 and changing careers from law so this is really new to me.
I pray everyday before I start my shift for God to guide me through it and to help me not freak out. Nursing is a whole new world to me too, before I worked for the Postal service.
I think if I had 10-14 pts everyday I might just lose it. I have a friend who works at a rehab hospital here and she gets that many pts. She says she had to apply for safe harbor every time she worked....she has since quit and went to work for home health.
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I too am a new LVN working in med surg since April and am scared every day. My hospital gives me 10-14 patients and I am overwhelmed and just waiting for it to get easier, better, more comfortable.
10-14 paitents for 1 nurse on a med-surg floor is not only ridiculous, but it is also very dangerous!
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I think if I had 10-14 pts everyday I might just lose it. I have a friend who works at a rehab hospital here and she gets that many pts. She says she had to apply for safe harbor every time she worked....she has since quit and went to work for home health.
Unfortunately the Safe Harbor laws only exist in Texas.
So after only 6 days of training, I was let loose on my own today (my first real job!), doing care for 1/2 of the LTC facility (about 40 patients). I just got home and I'm happy to say that I did it! I don't think I made any mistakes. I think I'll even go back tomorrow...I've never been so stressed out. Most of the managers and aids are helpful, some aids just look at me like I'm an idiot.
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
So after only 6 days of training, I was let loose on my own today (my first real job!), doing care for 1/2 of the LTC facility (about 40 patients).
You are so very fortunate to have received 6 days of training. I only received one day of training at my very first nursing job before being cut loose.
pagandeva2000, LPN
7,984 Posts
Oh, yeah, I was scared out of my seat the whole time I was sitting there in class, and now, I am scared, too. But, I have to treat this like anything else...I was scared in school, scared for NCLEX and made it with flying colors, so, I have to know that I can do this, too! So can you!