New Grad off Orientation

[froggy93]

So I just wanted an outside opinion, I am a new grad who just finished orientation today. I am on a med surg unit in a large hospital ratio is 1:5. Every float that comes to our unit says how heavy our unit is and our patient load based on the types of patients we often get. I read all these things about how new grads struggle so much and feel overwhelmed for a really long time. I am scared to say it, but I honestly do not at all. There were some moments my first maybe 3 weeks where I definitely felt overwhelmed (I just finished 12 weeks of orientation), but overall I do not at all. I know I still have plenty of questions and things will always come up that I need to ask or clarify or get another opinion, but overall I feel confident. Don't get me wrong, there are days when I am running around completely crazy, but I never feel like I am going to panic or that it is impossible-I always feel like I know I can get it done. I have had 2 preceptors, both are really great. One who precepts almost all of the new grads on my unit specifically told me that she thinks I caught on really fast and that I must have had a good nursing school preceptorship (I was in the OR though-not on the floor), but I just want to know is there ANYONE that felt this way as a new grad? Aware that you are a new nurse, but feel pretty confident? All I read are things about how new grads struggle so much for awhile and I am just wondering if this is normal or if I am missing something.

[dream'n, BSN, RN]

I've been nursing for years and I still get stressed sometimes because of multiple emergencies/urgent needs or patient acuity/ratios. A total lack of juggling and stress in a new graduate nurse worries me that you are being too task oriented or not thinking critically. Especially if experienced floaters say your unit load is heavy. But maybe you are just that good, I don't know?

[Libby1987]

There is a continuum where new/all nurses/people fall in terms of learning, organization, stress mgmt, confidence with humility, soft skills etc.

We've had newer nurses who blew us away, and others who set new records in how long it takes them to adjust.

[VANurse2010]

Sometimes new grads don't have the knowledge base to know when a situation or assignment is dangerous or BS. Or maybe you're just awesome, but the former is more common than the latter.

[imintrouble, BSN, RN]

I'd really like to witness a new nurse without nerves.

I could elaborate, but I have a feeling I'd be met with "not me".

Congrats to the OP for successfully completing orientation, and starting on her nursing career.

[springchick1, ADN, RN]

But maybe you are just that good I don't know?[/quote']

Or maybe just that cocky/over confident which is just as worrisome.

[kaylee.]

As previously posted, maybe you are just that good, but thats not what being a new grad is about. Being great comes with time. Period. Its about the volume of experiences you have accumulated that turn u in to a great nurse. No one is a "great" nurse when they start.

Just be cautious when u start on your own. Im not saying confidence is bad, but rather just not being too confident that you dont know when to ask questions.

You will make mistakes. Its a fact. Even if you feel really confident, you must be mindful about your own abilities.

Remember, the most important sign of intelligence: is knowing what you dont know. In our career, it saves lives.

[nutella, MSN, RN]

I was doing just fine when I went to the ICU right after graduation. But I had been a paramedic prior and had relevant clinicals - one of them in the ICU I got hired for.

I have seen new graduates doing really well in a busy teaching hospital, I have also seen a lot struggle for at least a year.

I think it is great that you feel good about working and being off orientation! My suggestion would be to find a mentor who has been around for a while and who you trust to discuss work, get valuable feedback, and support. There are several learning curves. One is when you start and have orientation. The next one starts once you are off orientation. And there are more to come .... . Even though you say you are confident - make sure to take time during your shift and reflect on how you are working. Although I have been a nurse for 20 years there are sometimes situations or things that I like to run by another nurse - nothing wrong with that.

Good luck!!

[ED Nurse, RN]

I feel like you may have posted this to have your ego stroked- there is a fine line between confident and cocky. You just finished orientation today and have not been in your own yet- of course you feel like you know the job, bc you have a safety net in your preceptor. I'm really sensing an air of cavalier, you need to be careful. A brand new nurse not even off orientation one day claiming they are confident? Ugh that makes me extremely nervous. If you don't walk into work everyday nervous, something isn't right. I've been an ER nurse almost 8 years and I still walk in nervous everyday, and trust me, I know I'm that good. If strangers online can pick up on your tone, then people you work with will, and you certainly don't want to be that nurse. Humility goes a long way. I'm not trying to be a Debbie downer, but reign it in a bit. If experienced floaters have said its a heavy floor, then I'm more likely to believe that. Be careful, like I said, fine line between confident and cocky.

[Nazzerena]

Just wondering, what city/state do you work in?

And also, my guess is that you just haven't hit a hard day yet.

[Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN]

I could easily see feeling that way with five patients and a preceptor. I had eight patients and an LVN with eight patients to cover as a new grad in acute care ....16 total! Can't imagine how good five would have felt.

[LM NY]

Was that 12 weeks with classroom time or were all 12 weeks on the floor? I am a new nurse on a med-surg floor and don't feel that confident yet. Every day gets a tiny bit better, because I am learning so much as the days go on. Without a doubt, my anxiety is lowered being with a preceptor. All that will change when I am on my own. I am saying this in the most respectful way, but don't let the confidence get to your head. There may come a time when you have no idea what to do, but your coworkers will be reluctant to help you. Keep it humble and always be open to learning even if you think you already know it.