New nurse OVERWHELMED

Specialties Med-Surg

Published

Hi,

I am a new nurse that has been on my own for 1month. I feel incredibly overwhelmed! I pray before I go to work that I don't hurt/kill anyone or make any huge mistakes. I have so far made tons of mistakes. I've been losing sleep b/c I wake up in the middle of the night thinking "i could've done this better/I should've done that." I also feel like other nurses are upset/frustrated with me b/c when I forget or don't know that I'm suppose to do something they have to pick up what I didn't do. I FEEL TERRIBLE!!! I feel like crying everytime i come back from work. :cry: There's a fairly new nurse at my floor as well who is a nice person and i wound up getting her upset just the other day b/c i forgot to do something. aargh! i get so mad at myself. I do stay after a little longer to make sure that the next nurse doesn't have to do anything that I was suppose to do. everything has just been too much for me. I feel like quitting everyday i come back from work!!! it's too much! i emailed my manager yesterday if i could possibly be set up with a mentor. but still, i'm so sad. Nursing is something that i wanted to do for sooo long. I felt so happy when i passed nursing school and boards, and couldn't wait to start working. I heard that the transition might be difficult, but I didn't think it'd be this TOUGH!!! I have lost all confidence in myself and I don't like that at all. i feel so incompetent and useless. Just venting! thanks for listening! :)

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Hi,

I am a new nurse that has been on my own for 1month. I feel incredibly overwhelmed! I pray before I go to work that I don't hurt/kill anyone or make any huge mistakes. I have so far made tons of mistakes. I've been losing sleep b/c I wake up in the middle of the night thinking "i could've done this better/I should've done that." I also feel like other nurses are upset/frustrated with me b/c when I forget or don't know that I'm suppose to do something they have to pick up what I didn't do. I FEEL TERRIBLE!!! I feel like crying everytime i come back from work.........

My Dear, do not beat yourself up. The first year in nursing is difficult period let alone the first time off orientation. It seems from your statements that you may need a good "brain sheet" with check off list for each patient. I could not have survived without mine...and still use one. (You can find some if you type brain sheet in search area). It maybe that you need more orientation, if so speak to your nurse manager. Just wondering too how long was your orientation??? Also, whoever precepted you would be a good person to ask questions if you doubt yourself before a mistake is made etc. The one I had, actually had two were and are still great. They really do not mind if you have to check something with them. I have just made it a year there. It's ironic, now new grads come up to me sometimes to ask me questions and I love helping.:D

It's tough but you can do it....have faith:)

here is the link for the brain sheet I use from daytonite:

https://allnurses.com/first-year-nursing/do-anyone-have-267842.html

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Specializes in Cardiac, Hospice, Float pool, Med/Peds.

It will get better. I remember feeling that way right out of school too. I am now a RN for 10 years and don't have any of thoes feelings. I think that we have to learn what real nursing is compared to what we learned in school. Your assessment skills will get better and the more that you see, the better your confiedence will become...

Hang in there, it will get better...;)

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Thank you soo much for your feedbacks. I am feeling a lot better. I think it's a bunch of feelings mixed in one: overwhelmed, shocked, intimidated, feel like people are pushing you around, incompetent, etc. You guys are amazing!!!! Thank you for listening to my vent and writing encouraging messages. you guys are the best!!:yeah:

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I have been orientating for 2 months now and about to go on my own and am scared to death!

I am right there with you, wondering if I am meant to be a nurse and can handle everything I need to learn, do and not forget!! I have an anxiety attack before I go to work each day, but I just ask a ton of questions and try to be nice to everybody (because everybody and/or anybody usually helps me out and can answer my questions).

We'll have to keep in touch.

Good luck.

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Things have been a lot better for me. The thing that was slowing me down the most was prioritization and just doing things faster with precision (ie starting IV's). Oh man, starting IV's slowed me down a lot. Now it is not as bad. I tend to forget easily what I have to do, so I need to have everything laid out in front of me before I begin my rounds. I use a time management sheet that has times written on the left hand side and I just fill in the blanks when I have to do something at that time. This has helped me a lot. There are things that happen all of a sudden (orders, pt conditions change) but then you just know that you have to do it and rearrange your schedule accordingly. :bugeyes: Life in the hospital has been a crazy one but slowly improving. I don't dread it as much. I do still have anxiety before I go to work, but I think that's normal for any new grad. What other nurses say is true, KEEP going and don't give up. I think a lot of new grads go through this "hump" where we just question everything and we're just at our breaking point; but if you keep at it and keep going for a little longer things start improving and you start seeing a change in yourself. I believe all those mistakes definitely served me good b/c now i know what not to do and what to do when things go wrong/standards. Hopefully, it'll keep getting better from here.

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

I remember that feeling so well. It is because you are trying to do a good job and that is wonderful. Keep getting feedback from your preceptor and supervisor. Watch others - they are not perfect either. All you need is one or two "success stories" and you will be fine.

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Specializes in Cardiac, Hospice, Float pool, Med/Peds.

There is school nursing and real world nursing... I have been an RN for 10 years and believe me, I felt that way that you did. I would wake up from a sound sleep in a panic and worry all day and night until my next shift that I screwed something up... Let me tell you; you will make mistakes and you will learn from them. You will learn the shortcuts that you can take and it will get better... We have all been there and it does get better. The more that you see and deal with, the more confidence you will get and it will get better...

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I am glad to hear you are feeling better. I am a 45yr old new nurse. I have been on a med surg floor for 5months now. Some nites are good, no major issues and a good report AM and I even get to take my break some nites. Other nites are horrible, meds around the clock, critical values at 2AM having to call and wake up a MD who gets mad at you. And giving a report to a nurse you swear hates you. I am trying to decrease my hours to 3nites a week vs 4. I do not have much of a life right now I am either in my PJ's or uniform and it is getting old. I hope by decreasing my hours that I can have a life and spend some quality time with my kids before they no longer want to spend time with their Mom. I am insisting on sticking it out for at least a yr which will be in Sept. Hang in there.

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Specializes in skilled nursing.

Hi, you are not alone! I have only been working as LPN, for five weeks now. Some days are just crazy, and everyone thinks you have all the answers. When it's hard enough to remember everyone's name. When ever anyone ask me how I like being a nurse, my newest response is "ask me in six months"! Hang in there!

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Specializes in Management, Emergency, Psych, Med Surg.

What shift do you work and what kind of patient load are you carrying?

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Specializes in med-surg 5 years geriatrics 12 years.

I agree with everyone else; don't be so hard on yourself...after all some of us have been at it for years and you are still new. Learn to do it right { and well } then you can focus on doing it in a more timely manner. we all started out slow and unsure of ourselves !!

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