Need some advice from experienced/senior nurses

[IloveNY]

I should have probably posted this under studnets, but I'm a little new to this so forgive me. I just finished my first year of my BSN program and that in itself has been extremely exciting and stressfull! I am proud of myself for making it through, and I'm deeply saddened by the few students we lost.

I guess I'm writing today because I need a little boost. I just started an internship this summer in a very busy area in the hospital. I love it and from my previous job have had experience in this specific area, but it is totally different when you are the nurse responsible. I'm really enjoying it, but it is just bothering me that I'm not as quick and I don't know as much as everyone else does. I tend to be one of those people that has always been good at her job, professional, and has moved up fast. I know I need to be patient with nursing. I know that it will take time, but I tend to beat myself up for not being the "best." I had a hard time starting IV's on two patients and gave up trying for the rest of the day because I was so scared of missing the vein again. I know it is silly, but I just can't get past it.

Any kind words will help! Thank you so much for taking time to read my outburst of "I feel sorry for myself"

[momof2RN]

First of all, don't get discouraged. Nursing is hard and it takes time to feel comfortable, especially as a student. Things will get better. I know how you feel, I went straight into ICU after graduation, though I had teched there while in school. It's totally different to have the responsibility completely on your shoulders. You can't go find the "real nurse" because that's you.

Keep a positive attitude.

Good Luck!

[BlueEyedRN]

I totally know what you mean. I was a really good student, top of my class, worked crazy hard for my grades and I was used to being the best. And then I started as a nurse and it was very discouraging to find myself at the bottom of the heap. I didn't know how to do anything and I'd never felt so out of my element before. But seriously, one day after about my 9th or 10th week of orientation, it just clicked. I still had so much I didn't know and so much I never thought I could do, but my foundation was there and I was able to start building. It really helped that I asked questions all the time when I even slightly questioned myself. It was probably annoying, but it helped me really get things down and so now 2 years in I feel really good about what I'm doing. Of course there are still things I don't know and things I haven't seen and need to ask advice about what to do in certain situations, but that is something nurses that have been working for 30 years still do. :)

[IloveNY]

Thank you..it really means a lot to hear that others feel the same as I do.

[BlueRidgeHomeRN]

yep, lot of us over-achievers here. be a little more understanding. what would you say if your best friend shared this with you???

you are a novice in nursing. there is no way to get from novice to expert without going through the process, and its a learning process. look at it this way...you don't have to think about the meaning of every road sign or the shift pattern on your car now, do you? betcha 'ya did everytime you started the car when you were a brand new driver! same thing here!

[little daredevil]

patience and perseverance.. you also need to have confidence when doing a task, when uncertain or unsure, ask.. its better to ask than to get reprimanded or scolded. winks. and if you have friends, ask them to help you out and find an easy way around sooner or later.