Need HELP with matching my personality to a specific nursing area

[brownladyRN]

I recently passed the boards in June 2013 to become an RN...yay! I accepted a med/surg position at a hospital working nights...another yay. I'm about 6 weeks in and I still feel like a fish out of water, and its a very discomforting feeling. I've never done any clinicals at this hospital and I feel like I'm falling behind compared to my fellow recent grad counterparts who were hired the same time as I. Sometimes I find myself overwhelmed with just 5 patients, but my preceptor tells me I'm doing just fine and that it will take at least a year to get in a comfort zone. There's just so many protocols to remember at a hospital, and not to mention our doctors still paper chart orders. I want to stick it out and not quit but some days I feel like I know nothing! I'm a type of person who likes routine and knowing what to expect everyday when I arrive. I like consistency in a controlled environment and find comfort in routine tasks. I can be a bit shy, i'm very free spirited and kind, and i don't like working in a fast paced environment. Deep down I know I should probably stay since there's so much learning that can evolve, but at the same time I wonder will my personality be better at a doctors office, clinic, health department, high school, etc. What do you propose? I want to feel confident in my abilities but its hard when you feel like you still have soo much to learn!

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Welcome to nursing. Listen to your preceptor.

6 weeks in.. is not the time to even BEGIN to evaluate your place in nursing.

Keep your eyes open.. and your mouth closed. You will learn how to use your skills. Confidence is earned.

We ALL learn on the job.

[Altra, BSN, RN]

What do I propose? I propose that, at 6 weeks, you don't know much of anything. Acclimation takes time, and you will likely learn as much in your first six months of actual nursing as you did in all of nursing school.

And while there is a big world of nursing out there beyond the hospital doors, I strongly encourage you to get all that you can out of this job for at least a year before even thinking, is there somewhere else I would be better.

[julz68]

What do I propose? I propose that, at 6 weeks, you don't know much of anything. Acclimation takes time, and you will likely learn as much in your first six months of actual nursing as you did in all of nursing school.

And while there is a big world of nursing out there beyond the hospital doors, I strongly encourage you to get all that you can out of this job for at least a year before even thinking, is there somewhere else I would be better.

Totally agree with this!

I'm over 6 months in and I have to say, I did learn more in that time than my whole nursing school experience!

I felt the same as you at 6 weeks. But now I know that this is where I belong for the time being (med/surg). I learn something new every night I work. There is such a diversity of patients and disease processes.

My advice is to stay and learn as much as you can. You won't regret it!