New Grad nurse

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Specializes in ER.

Hey everyone,

So I am a new grad nurse. I started in the ER in sept, had my 2.5 months of orientation, this place is actually where I did my pre-grad. I been told the first year is teh hardest. I always ask questions when I don't know something. But I'm always worried and reflecting when i go home after a shift. I've been worried about being sued, not documenting enough and just generally worried about if i gave enough care to my patients etc. Have most people felt this way in their first couple of months?

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Welcome

Moved this to the first year after license forum

The first year is always hard, getting used to being a nurse, getting more proficient in skills are just a couple of things that come to mind to make it a stressful time. Just take your time, know that when you finish a shift you have done things to the best of your capabilities and you should be OK.

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Specializes in Emergency.

Not most people, ALL people.

Welcome to the darkside, bwhahahahaha......

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I had 4 week orientation and have been working for 4 months. I had panic attacks that I didn't do something right. Just remember that what ever happens as long as you. Did it with the best intentions for your patient then your fine.

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Specializes in FNP- Urgent Care.

Yep. Literally JUST called to check in a pt because I was sickly worried I did something wrong. When does it stop :(

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It stops when your confident in your skill

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Not most people, ALL people.

Welcome to the darkside, bwhahahahaha......

This!! I have not yet met a new nurse that didn't feel this way! I am in my 4th month and it IS getting better, but I still have a long way to go! I learned that after orientation they experienced nurses are still there for you! Keep asking questions, keep triple checking orders and you should be fine. We do not graduate knowing everything we need to know with the skills that we need in the real world. I wish that they would have told us that in school!! I think it takes most of us about 10 minutes on our first shift to figure out we don't know ANYTHING! and they say it takes about a year to learn what we need.

Network with classmates or other new grads at your facility and form an informal support group. I did that and just being able to vent with others in the same position is what got me through the first few months, it was the most helpful thing in the world!

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im so nervous too. i just started on a traum/ortho floor and they only gave me 10 days of orientation for a full time position... and i am coming out of an outpatient meth clinic, so i pretty much have no clinical skills.

so nervous, our computer charting system also is mad tedious and stupid.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.
It stops when your confident in your skill

Yes this!!!!!!!!!! My nurse mgr told me the same thing! It's hard for us new grads to accept. I don't really want to be super confident because I don't want to get cocky and make a mistake. But, it's true, it's important to be confident. And also humble. I think. Maybe. Lol!

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Specializes in Med/Surg.
Hey everyone,

So I am a new grad nurse. I started in the ER in sept, had my 2.5 months of orientation, this place is actually where I did my pre-grad. I been told the first year is teh hardest. I always ask questions when I don't know something. But I'm always worried and reflecting when i go home after a shift. I've been worried about being sued, not documenting enough and just generally worried about if i gave enough care to my patients etc. Have most people felt this way in their first couple of months?

Dont worry. I am right there with you. I started working in October. I am currently working in the med surg float pool. Been on my own for about a month now. Everyone says it gets better. I really hope its true! I usually get so anxious the night before I have work that I cant sleep.

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