New Grad/First Job FREAK OUT

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Okay so I'm new this... I've never created a post before. Basically I just graduated with my BSN this August and have just been offered a position for a New Graduate RN program at the hospital in which I currently work as a nursing assistant. I did really well in nursing school and graduated with honors, but when I took my NCLEX I ended up getting all 265 questions :( I honestly thought I failed the test, but luckily I passed. Now I will be starting this job in about 3 weeks and I am FREAKING OUT. It is a new graduate program so there will be a lot of testing and I truly feel like I have no idea what I am doing or how I passed nursing school. I have myself convinced that I am simply a good multiple choice test-taker/guesser. I guess I'm just looking to see if anyone else has or had the same feelings and what do you suggest or how did you cope? I've already reached out to a local tutor to see about sitting down and getting some refresher lessons to hopefully jog my memory... but I'm just really nervous that I'm not even going to make it through the week of classroom lectures.

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I'm also starting a new graduate program in about 3 weeks and I'm freaking out about the classroom part and clinical rotations. I've been out of school since August and I feel as though I forgot everything!

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Specializes in Progressive Care Unit.

First of all, congrats on getting the job! :) Everyone goes through being a newbie, and it's natural to be anxious about it. The new grad program is designed for, well, new grads. It will guide you on becoming the great nurse you're destined to be. Learn from it. Ask if you have questions. Don't hesitate to ask for an additional week of orientation if you really think you need one. Good luck!

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Thank you guys for the confidence... I guess I just get nervous because it was already hard enough to find something in this area as a new grad. I'm more or less worried that I will go into this program with absolutely no idea what I'm doing. I tend to psych myself out and work myself up and then end up clamming up and my mind goes blank. So that's my main fear.

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What hospital will the program take place? I know your dilemma. I'm in miami and the job market for new grads here is basically horrible. Have no worries go in giving it your best. Obviously they saw something in you to be selected :)

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It's at a local hospital in Northern NJ

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Specializes in cardiac/education.

New grad confidence sucks. I'm new and the take I am getting is that you just feel stupid, incompetent, and slow as a new grad. You can in truth be all of these things or none of these things. But the feelings are normal. Basically, every one is telling me I am doing well so I keep putting one foot in front of the other and try not to kill anyone. Sounds harsh but I guess that is how you have to proceed. You will NOT feel ready off orientation, you'll be nervous for a long while. Get used to it but just realize it's a right of passage I guess. I try to focus on the positives....what I am learning, the difference I might be making to my patients, and...my paycheck! :) Congrats to you, you must have shown them something to land a job in a tight market!!

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