Need help adjusting. Any advice?

buster4 · Jul 31, 2011

Hang in there, I think what you are feeling is normal when you change environments totally...... it will get better!! take it day by day!!

Freedomsong, NP · Jul 31, 2011

Yeah, hang in there. I'm a new RN in orientation as well but I'm at a small town hospital and at first I felt that way, still do some days. I guess it's just a process but we'll make it through. I wish you the best :)

Airidis · Jul 31, 2011

Hey I did the CC thing and was a single mom with 2 under 2! I'm a new grad on the floor where I work now it was super awkward at first and I was like am I doing something wrong should I have this new shiney car, should I have my own house? Then I thought about it - as long as bills are paid, food in my fridge and my kids are happy _ who cares if I don't have the other stuff the other girls brag about they may have had specality courses and training up the wazooo but I'm the person the management asked to be on the wound management comittee and pain management not them! I'm the person management asks for my opinions on things. Keep your head up and do the best damn job you can I think having been the hard way to get where we are we know how those patients feel when they can't afford something and with a little common sense we are DAMN good nurses!

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2011

well, you can all be good nurses. :nurse: as all new grads, right now, not quite yet.

seriously, though, an older ad new grad can bring things to the table that a new bsn grad age 20-21 can't. you will both even out in psychomotor and working social skills in your first year out of the gate, but you will have more life experience than someone who went to college straight from high school.

Lissa,RN · Jul 31, 2011

"seriously, though, an older ad new grad can bring things to the table that a new bsn grad age 20-21 can't. you will both even out in psychomotor and working social skills in your first year out of the gate, but you will have more life experience than someone who went to college straight from high school. "

true, but just because someone has more life experience doesn't mean it was worthwhile life experience, or that they are going to use it to their advantage. let's just not compare ourselves to eachother. we all have something to offer.

A&OxNone, MSN, RN · Jul 31, 2011

True, but just because someone has more life experience doesn't mean it was worthwhile life experience, or that they are going to use it to their advantage. Let's just not compare ourselves to eachother. We all have something to offer.

Completely understand where you are coming from. I feel like I should clarify... I am in my mid twenties. But, with totally different experiences than most have. Especially the other nurses in orientation with me. I do believe we can ALL be good nurses and bring a variety of things to the table.

I agree that this is probably just new job jitters. And I will take it a day at a time. I'm just struggling with how to adjust and feel like the nurse I know I am. :confused:

canesdukegirl, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2011

A little tough love:

Who CARES what the other gals are doing/how they got there/what car they drive/what school they went to? It is always unwise to compare yourself to others from the get-go, especially in a new environment; however it is human nature to do so. I understand this mindset.

Now a little bit of plain old love:

It sounds like your self doubt stems from insecurity, which is important to recognize so that you can get it out of the way (and please OP, if I am overstepping my boundaries with that statement, call me on it. I am only guessing here). When I encounter self-doubt, my first task is trying to isolate the root cause of my feeling. Once I identify it, I can take steps to overcome it.

First, understand that EVERYONE is nervous when starting a new job. New environments, new people, new learning and the adaptation to all of these things is challenging, even for the most confident person. Change is transition, which can be nerve racking at times. We all are terrified of looking like idiots, and tend to hold ourselves under a microscope. You aren't alone in this regard.

Secondly, you have come to this point in your life from your OWN merits and your OWN willpower. You worked hard for everything you have-your Mom must be very proud of you! Honor both her and yourself by holding your head high with the realization that you fought for what you have, and no doubt have a strong sense of work ethic that will shine once you get comfortable on the unit.

Concentrate on learning right now. Focus your thoughts on your patients, use that sense of humor that you undoubtedly have (you can't be raised poor in a single parent household and work your way through school without developing a healthy sense of humor!) to break the ice with your new peers.

Above all, be yourself. Don't spend a lot of energy trying to relate to them, because as you get to know them, common ground will surface. It takes time.

Be confident! You got to where you are now because you have what it takes to succeed. The key is to BELIEVE THAT yourself. Everyone else seems to...they wouldn't have hired you if they didn't have confidence in your skills.

Wake up in the morning, get showered, get centered and remember to be proud of the person you have become.

Halinja, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2011

I always feel that way in a new job. Just the way I'm built, I guess. But then, it's the same way I feel when I get people's fantasy Christmas letters saying how WONDERFUL their children are, and what a FABULOUS year they had. Take everything with a grain of salt and concentrate on your life not theirs. If you can't relate, you can't relate. Just do what you need to do, be yourself, and it'll all fall into place soon enough.

RNperdiem, RN · Jul 31, 2011

Try building a social life outside of work; that way you will not be dependent on coworkers for friends.

It is tough to feel like an outsider.

If you are new in town try to make friends through hobbies, church, volunteer work or look up old friends.

A&OxNone, MSN, RN · Aug 1, 2011

Try building a social life outside of work; that way you will not be dependent on coworkers for friends.
It is tough to feel like an outsider.
If you are new in town try to make friends through hobbies, church, volunteer work or look up old friends.

I really do have a healthy social life. Their opinions of me aren't really what bothers me. It's just me adjusting to such a huge city and what a difference there is in the people.

I'm not really saying,"oh, i'm going to hate this job because I'm not cool enough and nobody likes me." That's not it at all. It's more that I'm just overwhelmed with the different atmosphere and people and culture, honestly. Wasn't really expecting such a change.

I do think I need to just focus on doing the best job I can. You have all given great encouragement and I hope I can get past these doubts and do good things. I do feel like the luckiest person in the world, my job is going to be very awesome! Just hope I can rise to their expectations! :)