New grad in need of a pep talk

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Can anyone relate? I graduated in Dec 2004 and started a critical care orientation in January. It's been going well so far. But I think I'm just at that (normal) point where some discouragement and feelings of being overwhelmed are creeping in. One, there is just so much to learn--but every day I do learn something new and I ask a lot of questions. Second, I dislike the worrying I do before going into work. I am okay once I am there and have seen the patients; it's the "anything is possible" beforehand I have trouble with. I think that's because there is a lot I don't know or wouldn't know how to handle. Of course, I am with a great preceptor--still I worry. Third, part of the orientation involves spending a few shifts on affiliated units. Now everyone one these other units has been friendly and helpful; it's just that it's stressful to me to be somewhere new all the time and figuring out "their" way of doing things. Actually, after this week, I will be on my home unit exclusively, so I guess that's less of an issue. Fourth, I follow my preceptor's schedule throughout orientation, so it's sort of frustrating for me not to have control over my own schedule. Also I will be starting nights soon and I hope that I will not be the sleep-deprived bear I imagine myself becoming. Finally, I miss my fellow orientees--I used to see them all the time when we were in the classroom portion of orientation, now it's either in passing or not at all.

Thanks for letting me get this off of my chest. I do feel better. And truly, I do like going to work. The orientation so far has been all that I expected and more. I even have a mentor (with whom I will also be sharing my concerns). I just need to hear someone say "I'm going through this/I've been through this too". Take care all.

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I'm also a new grad and I can totally relate! I started working in September after graduating last May. In many ways orientation is harder than being on your own because, like you said, you have to kind of conform to how someone else does something instead of finding out what works best for you. The best things I have heard as a new grad is that it is okay to still learn...as new grads we aren't somehow expected to have the knowledge that a nurse of 25 years has...we are expected to be safe and to continue to learn. The best thing I have done for myself is to do my best every day, not worry about what other people are saying about me, pray before every shift and continue asking questions even if I feel dumb...and you'll learn who to ask--there are nurses out there who love to teach....THEN people started asking me questions too and that is a great feeling when I can acutally help other nurses!

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Specializes in ICU/CCU/MICU/SICU/CTICU.

I am not a new grad, but wanted to offer some words.

The feelings that you are having are completely normal. Even those of us who have been in nursing for what seems like forever feel the way you do when we step out of our "comfort zone" if you will. Critical care can be overwhelming for anyone. Do the best that you can do, ask all the questions that you have, and learn something new every day, even when you have been in nursing for 15 yrs or longer. The "anything is possible" can happen anywhere, in any field of nursing. Just when you think something is finally going right, there can always be something that throws that off.

Remember, one day at a time, and the only dumb question, is the one that isnt asked.

Good luck to you!

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I've been out of school for 5 yrs now every one feels what you are feeling when they get a new job. I work in OB if I went to critical care i would have those same feelings. A nursing school instructor had a saying "Feel the fear and do it anyway"

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Can anyone relate? I graduated in Dec 2004 and started a critical care orientation in January. It's been going well so far. But I think I'm just at that (normal) point where some discouragement and feelings of being overwhelmed are creeping in. One, there is just so much to learn--but every day I do learn something new and I ask a lot of questions. Second, I dislike the worrying I do before going into work. I am okay once I am there and have seen the patients; it's the "anything is possible" beforehand I have trouble with. I think that's because there is a lot I don't know or wouldn't know how to handle. Of course, I am with a great preceptor--still I worry. Third, part of the orientation involves spending a few shifts on affiliated units. Now everyone one these other units has been friendly and helpful; it's just that it's stressful to me to be somewhere new all the time and figuring out "their" way of doing things. Actually, after this week, I will be on my home unit exclusively, so I guess that's less of an issue. Fourth, I follow my preceptor's schedule throughout orientation, so it's sort of frustrating for me not to have control over my own schedule. Also I will be starting nights soon and I hope that I will not be the sleep-deprived bear I imagine myself becoming. Finally, I miss my fellow orientees--I used to see them all the time when we were in the classroom portion of orientation, now it's either in passing or not at all.

Thanks for letting me get this off of my chest. I do feel better. And truly, I do like going to work. The orientation so far has been all that I expected and more. I even have a mentor (with whom I will also be sharing my concerns). I just need to hear someone say "I'm going through this/I've been through this too". Take care all.

Keeping the "anything is possible" concept in the forefront is what is going to make you a great nurse! Complacency is what does us in. ALWAYS make time to learn something new. Never be afraid to say "I don't know" but add "I will find out" after that. Again, those are the nurses that suceed, not the ones who stop learning or think they know it all. NO one EVER knows it all and should not feel that's even possible. Your colleagues will always respect you for being able to say " I don't know."

You will not lose the friends you have: there will just be new friends to add to that bunch and as you all get together for fun, share your tales of orientation.

Keeping the above attitude will always help you to be vigilent: your patients will always benefit from that.

Good luck. You are well on your way already!

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