New Grad reflections: the pride and pain

[scaredsilly, BSN, RN]

Everyone at AN is so awesome and as a recent grad/new nurse I have to say that I'm not sure if I would have made it through first the NCLEX, and then these rough orientation weeks without you all.

I wanted to throw in my two or three cents in hopes it may help someone the way others on AN helped me.

SO-we graduate and it's awesome! Pass the NCLEX, more awesomeness (is that a real word?). Then get all spiffed up with our nails cut short, our best interview outfit and several bejillion copies of resume in hand we finally head off to that elusive first interview-in front of a whole panel of people-who make us leave feeling about as incompetent as we felt the day we walked out of the PV test center positive we failed. Then the phone rings and voila! Job offer! Whoo Whoo! What an awesome feeling!!

By the way---If you are offered a job on a unit/in a facility that you really don't want-take it anyway! The percentage of students that get their dream job right out of school is somewhere between 0 and negative 3 percent. It does happen, and if it happens to you, then congratulations! But if that first offer isn't what you want take it anyway. You need the experience and some new grads wait ages for a job offer, so don't turn anything down unless you fear that the facility is somehow dangerous and you could be putting your license at risk. Then when the job of your dreams comes up, don't feel bad about making a switch. Unless you signed a contract, go for it! You have to do what's best for you! (Just try to give enough notice so the first job isn't left understaffed.)

Fast forward to that first shift. How is it that we walk in the door a confident, brilliant, genius of a new nurse, ready to heal the world and about 20 minutes later we realize that we know absolutely nothing about absolutely anything? It happens to ALL of us! Most important to remember-it REALLY does happen to ALL of us! Do not let it break you, because--one more time--it is perfectly normal to feel that way! There is nothing wrong with you! If you don't believe me, read the 100s of posts right here about this very thing. Did I mention it happens to ALL of us? You are not stupid, you are not in the wrong profession, you did not suddenly forget everything you ever learned. Nursing is a hands on profession, and some (most) schools do not prepare any of us with enough hands on experience to learn what we need to know. The basics are all there, but nothing about nursing is basic.

SO what to do about feeling like a kindergardner in a high school algebra class? Well...I know that graduation day felt like you were done learning, but now is REALLY the time to learn. You become a sponge! Everything the preceptor has to teach, that's what you learn. If you have a rude, abusive, non-caring preceptor that makes you feel like she wants you to fail go talk to the NM. The NM hired you-the NM therefore thinks you are well worth having on her unit. If you aren't getting trained, let her know that you need someone who will train you. Caution-be sure you aren't misreading the situation, there's no reason to alienate the preceptor if it's just your emotions/stress giving you negative feedback, but if the preceptor is really not helpful (or even hurtful), request a switch. The NM wants you to succeed, she is going to do everything possible to make that happen.

OK! So now you have an awesome preceptor. Since she is awesome, don't be afraid to ask questions, she really will not mind. Don't ask the same question twice, that's irritating! But ask about whatever you don't understand, and keep notes! You will find yourself asking less and less as more time goes by. Don't EVER do anything that could harm a patient, ask questions to make sure you get it right the first time. There is no rough draft, school is over!-and it is better to ask a question than to make a mistake. But--you are going to make mistakes. Don't let that stress you to the point you are ready to quit. Hopefully there will be no harm done and you will learn from it. Also, let the preceptor know early on how you learn. Make sure she understands if you are auditory, visual or (like me) a 'watch one, do one, teach one' sort of learner.

I was totally freaked out my first shift. I knew a classmate was working in the same hospital and I went and found her. We formed a support group with some other new grads. The emotional strength and healing you get just from being aware that others share your pain is tremendous! So call your classmates or find other new grads in the same hospital and just arrange to get together when you have time to vent. I think that hospitals should make a new grad get-together part of the orientation--it is THAT helpful!

The little things: Feet hurt! They probably will forever. I carry a different pair of shoes to work and change mid shift. It really makes a difference! Compression stockings aren't just for patients! They are a lifesaver! Get some!

One of the first things my preceptor taught me was that the nurses (and even the patients) hate it if you bring food that smells bad! if you have a break room close to the nurse's station or are in the unfortunate position of having to eat at the desk (yuk--but it happens a lot), be sure that it doesn't stink!

Fanny packs aren't just for male nurses. If pockets on scrubs are not condusive to carrying everything you need, do the fanny pack. Don't worry about it looking stupid, you are basically wearing pajamas to work--why worry about looking stupid now?! :-)

Does your facility require white scrub bottoms? Don't wear leopard stripe undies with them! 'Nuff said!

Night shift? The fastest and best way to get used to it is to live as a night person 7 days a week! if you go to bed early and wake up early on your days off, only to switch up for work, you will live your life exhausted! if you are on night shifts, read or watch tv, or type long essays on AN until at least 2 or 3 in the morning and try to sleep until afternoon on your days off. Once your body is used to it, it's really quite easy, but only if you don't try switching back and forth. All of the nurses on my shift (myself included) even eat on a night shift schedule when we are off. The human body can get used to most things as long as you give it time.

Wow, I didn't mean this to be so long, but I hope it helps someone. First nursing job is going to be hard, but it doesn't have to be painful and it really is worth it! One day in the not too distant future you are going to walk into a patient room and realize that you know exactly what you are doing in there! Everything will just click and that is the most awesome awesomeness of all!

Best of luck everyone!!!

[mortizny]

scaredsilly Thank you immensely for relieving most of the fear of being a new grad nurse and for the advice you have given. All of your comments are truly appreciated. Thank you so much :)!

[bell1962]

I am an old nurse.. but thank you for sharing.. I bet you helped a lot of new grads... brought back memories for me.

[ArmaniX, MSN, APRN]

Nice post, the trick to being a new grad is to be humble. You don't know anything, and when coworkers offer your their opinion or advice... take it. They want to see you succeed (and those who don't you know to steer from rather quickly and probably even got forewarned). I just finished my first year as a nurse on the floor.. I still know I don't know everything but what I do know from when I first stepped on the unit.. is more than the years in nursing school could teach combined.

Just because you've graduated college, doesn't mean the learning stops.

[Marmite75]

Thank you so much for writing this, it has certainly helped me in preparing myself for my first job as a graduate nurse. I know that I won't be the only new nurse on my floor, and will make sure we can offer support for each other (support from peers was a major contributor to my successfully getting through nursing school). So, thank you for this wonderful post, and all the best in your nursing career!

[c.hampe92]

Awesome post! I just started my first RN job at a hospital the beginning of this month. I already feel like I learn more in the last month than I did in all of nursing school! I am excited for the time when I finally feel comfortable at work! But so far I have had all of the best patients I could ask for in my first month as a RN!

[screechinglilies]

Just have to say another THANK YOU for this post. I am starting my first RN job in October and have been feeling more and more anxious about it (since I do not know what to expect). Thank you for your advice!

[scaredsilly, BSN, RN]

Thank you all for the compliments! Nice to know I helped someone(s)!

[nurse2be13]

Thank you for this

[melp718]

Hello Sacredsilly! I don't know if you remember me, but you posted a very encouraging and uplifting post to my "Feeling Hopeless" thread: https://allnurses.com/nursing-first-job/feeling-very-hopeless-948588.html

I replied to your post thanking you, as well as a very wonderful update. :]

Thank you so much for your uplifting nature, reading through this post reminds me that there are wonderful people in the world of nursing.

[scaredsilly, BSN, RN]

emshi, you are so kind! Thank you!!