New Grad RN

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Hi everyone,

I recently graduated from nursing school in May and passed my NCLEX in July. Fortunately I have been hired at a hospital and on orientation for a few more weeks. I am already feeling nervous about starting on my own. I have noticed I am having a difficult time remembering everything about the three patients my preceptor has paired me with.... Which worries me because I will have six patients when I'm on my own. Does anyone have any advice for addressing these feelings?

Thank you!

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The first thing you need to do is take a deep breath in and out. It is normal for new grads or even experienced nurses starting a new job to feel this overwhelming feeling. One thing that I suggested to the students and nurses that I precepted is to write things down. You will not know every single thing about the patient but making sure you are familiar with your charting system you are using is going to help you access information when needed. If your facility allows come in a few minutes early so that you can start looking over your labs, the last progress note from the physician, and what medications this patient will be given. If this is not allowed in your facility, take some time to look at this information before you walk into your patients room. Talk to your patient, they know more about what is going on with them than anyone else. While you are doing your assessment ask them questions. I know having 6 patients can be difficult, I worked at places where we had 7, writing things down helped me tremendously and it kept me from forgetting things. I could always look back at my paper and re-focus. You can create your own form that is best for you. The most important thing is to not let yourself get down. You are going to have good days and bad days and you may break down and cry but in a year you are going to look back and see how far you have come and be able to teach someone else. I wish you the best.

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This is why nurses have "brain sheets" to write down pertinent information during report and write reminders and checklists throughout the day.

For many details, you do not have to memorize every fact. The computer is there with all the lab values, previous assessments and doctors' notes. You will be able to look stuff up as needed.

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1 hour ago, srod79 said:

The first thing you need to do is take a deep breath in and out. It is normal for new grads or even experienced nurses starting a new job to feel this overwhelming feeling. One thing that I suggested to the students and nurses that I precepted is to write things down. You will not know every single thing about the patient but making sure you are familiar with your charting system you are using is going to help you access information when needed. If your facility allows come in a few minutes early so that you can start looking over your labs, the last progress note from the physician, and what medications this patient will be given. If this is not allowed in your facility, take some time to look at this information before you walk into your patients room. Talk to your patient, they know more about what is going on with them than anyone else. While you are doing your assessment ask them questions. I know having 6 patients can be difficult, I worked at places where we had 7, writing things down helped me tremendously and it kept me from forgetting things. I could always look back at my paper and re-focus. You can create your own form that is best for you. The most important thing is to not let yourself get down. You are going to have good days and bad days and you may break down and cry but in a year you are going to look back and see how far you have come and be able to teach someone else. I wish you the best.

I appreciate your advice! You are right. I have been trying to be patient with myself since it is a learning experience. I know eventually everything will come together. Thanks for taking time out of your day to make me feel better!

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49 minutes ago, RNperdiem said:

This is why nurses have "brain sheets" to write down pertinent information during report and write reminders and checklists throughout the day.

For many details, you do not have to memorize every fact. The computer is there with all the lab values, previous assessments and doctors' notes. You will be able to look stuff up as needed.

Yes, you're right. I always find that I overwhelm myself for no reason! I have been working on a flowsheet that will work for me during the day. I am hoping the one I recently made will work for me. Thank you for your advice! ?

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Trying to "remember everything" about your patients is how errors are made and things are missed. Have your brain with you at all times and check your charts frequently. Getting time management down and managing internal anxiety is the most difficult part of being a new grad. Practice mindfulness, use your time well to decompress on your days off and find a mentor to debrief with after shifts that you feel anxious about. Congratulations on graduating, getting your first job and joining us in this profession!

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On 9/26/2019 at 7:38 AM, Nurse SMS said:

Trying to "remember everything" about your patients is how errors are made and things are missed. Have your brain with you at all times and check your charts frequently. Getting time management down and managing internal anxiety is the most difficult part of being a new grad. Practice mindfulness, use your time well to decompress on your days off and find a mentor to debrief with after shifts that you feel anxious about. Congratulations on graduating, getting your first job and joining us in this profession!

That is true! Thank you for the advice, I appreciate it! I am proud to be a part of this profession! ?

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