Moving from student to nurse

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Specializes in Oncology/hematology.

Hi,

I'm happy to post this in the RN forum after finally finishing my BSN a few months ago and passing my exam.

However, i'm TERRIFIED of starting my new job in a few days. I feel that all the stuff I learned has been knocked out of my brain (I went on a surfing vacation so I might have killed off some essential brain cells from head blows and hypoxia :wacky:).

I'm terrified of making a mistake... especially in meds.

Everything was always far away, dreamlike- the degree, employment... now that it's all here, I feel like taking the next flight and postponing my first day for 6 months...

Sounds like I'm off to a great start huh?

Thanks for reading,

sincerely,

a nervous wreck.

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Specializes in Nurse Scientist-Research.

If I was your preceptor I would be much happier to hear this than endless confidence. You do need both but leaning toward respect of your patients' fragility is probably better when you're new.

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Specializes in ER, TRAUMA, MED-SURG.
If I was your preceptor I would be much happier to hear this than endless confidence. You do need both but leaning toward respect of your patients' fragility is probably better when you're new.

I agree! There is nothing I disliked more than to be assigned to a new nurse that thinks there is nothing left to learn - I've been a nurse since 91 and I learned more my first year out of school than I did as a student.

OP, good luck to u! With your attitude, u will be an asset wherever u work!

Anne, RNC

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

You can do this.

Remember the very first time you tried to climb up on a surfboard? How long it took to master it? Your transition to nursing practice is going to be like that. Difficult & laborious at first. Getting better and better as time goes on. Eventually, a lot of it will be 'automatic' and you'll find yourself ready to move on to more complex advanced skills.

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You can do this.

Remember the very first time you tried to climb up on a surfboard? How long it took to master it? Your transition to nursing practice is going to be like that. Difficult & laborious at first. Getting better and better as time goes on. Eventually, a lot of it will be 'automatic' and you'll find yourself ready to move on to more complex advanced skills.

I think it was you who also used the new driver explanation once as well and that really stuck with me and has given me so much confidence as I get ready to graduate, love your advice, thank you

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Specializes in Hospice.
You can do this.

Remember the very first time you tried to climb up on a surfboard? How long it took to master it? Your transition to nursing practice is going to be like that. Difficult & laborious at first. Getting better and better as time goes on. Eventually, a lot of it will be 'automatic' and you'll find yourself ready to move on to more complex advanced skills.

Ooh, you ARE good.

OP, always remember your rights to medication administration. It is okay to be nervous...we all were at one time. You will make a mistake but the key is to learn from it and not to do it again.

You can do this. It is time for you to fight infection and save lives. (In my Yoda voice)

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When in doubt, talk with your preceptor and let them know that you are not 100% confident with something. This gives them some warning to watch your back a little closer. As long as you are following hospital protocols (and common sense), it can be pretty difficult to mess up some things lol. You will do great! Err on the side of caution and work with all the resources you have around you.

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