New grad Rn, incredibly overwhelmed

[rn2109]

I am a new grad RN, and just started a job on an ortho/med surg floor in May. It took me almost a year to find my first job so I really am grateful for it, but I am feeling so overwhelmed and questioning whether or not this is the right career for me. I have 3 shifts left with a preceptor and then am on my own. I feel so anxious all the time, feel like I learned nothing in nursing school. I was a straight A student and always got good feedback, but I swear I can't remember anything! I get incredible anxiety the day before going on shift, cry all morning before work and sometimes cry on my way to work as well. I've even cried once during a shift. I'm uncomfortable with admissions, although I am working on it and I'm just terrified that I'm going to fail or mess up! My manager says that anxiety is normal for a new nurse, but sometimes I wonder if I feel too much of it. I'm starting to wonder if maybe my personality is just not cut out for hospital work, if I need a more low-key job. Everyone keeps telling me it gets better, but I hate the constant anxiety, the crying, the feeling of dread before work. Does anyone have any tough love or advice on how to get through this? Is this type of anxiety normal?? I just want to be competent and a good nurse

[Lev, MSN, RN, NP]

(((HUGS)))) You will be a competent and good nurse! Like all good things, it takes time. You are a new grad RN...there is a lot you don't know...and you are not expected to know everything. That's why you have a preceptor, charge RN, and micromedex for unfamiliar drugs. You are a month and half into the game. Med-Surg/Ortho is an exceptionally busy specialty. I work GI/Med-Surg/Ortho so we have all the pain meds+the NG tubes+ we have short stay plastic surgery patients..don't get me started on those patients. You have to work at it for 6-8 months before you can reassess if this is a job for you. Nursing is incredibly demanding, but also rewarding. It's the little moments that mean a lot. Once you get into a routine, you will find things go a lot smoother. We all have insanely busy days and sometimes feel like there are more bad days than good days. Even experienced nurses feel this sometimes. So slow down (advice I have been told time and time again) and take a deep breath and focus on the present. Do you have 20 things that you need to do at once? Do one thing a time, look at it as your only task to do, but do it as efficiently as possible. That's all you can do. And don't be afraid to delegate.

[dakota1209]

I am still a new grad myself and I have felt the same way you have. I finished my internship at the end of April and have been on my own since then. I work on a PCU Neuro/Cardiac floor. I don't have much advice for you but I can tell you that you are not alone in how you feel, not one bit!! I have days where I cry before work, and sometimes after too. But I also have nights where I feel like I am slowllllly getting the hang of things. Admissions are an uncomfortable area for me as well. I always feel scatterbrained when I get a new admit. I have found that making a checklist of everything I need to do helps a lot. I try telling myself that every shift is a learning experience that will only help me in the future to become a more competent nurse. I am blessed to have a unit with awesome charge nurses and other nurses who are always willing to answer my questions. Just remember, you are never alone, even if it feels that way! Keep your head up!