I'm from Australia and just graduated as an RN. I was fortunate enough to get a 12 month graduate program in a paediatric hospital, I had 5 days of orientation last week and commenced on the ward for supernumerary on Monday with a preceptor.
First day went well, I was very overwhelmed with the variety of the ward I'm on (orthopaedics/plastics) as I've never had anything to do with that speciality! I had a shift yesterday, it started great and I felt like I was getting the hang of things, then we had ward transfers, other nurses had to be relocated and I was suddenly stuck with patients I didn't even receive a handover for. I did my best, did IVAB's, care-plans and notes. I gave a bub panadol about 2 hours late as I had no idea it was due, this made me feel terrible. I suddenly starting crying and broke down a little, my preceptor is lovely and asked if I was okay and she said I was doing a great job, my time management is good and I'm working well but I just kept thinking "How am I going to do this without a preceptor next week?"
The staff all seem lovely and I feel well supported but it's not helping with feeling like this. I feel like an absolute mess.
I drove home absolutely balling my eyes out, riddled with anxiety that I've made a terrible mistake and I can't do this. I've had a nasty ear/sinus infection all week so no doubt this hasn't helped, I went in for my morning shift today but got sent home because I looked terrible. So tomorrow will be 3rd shift. And I'm terrified.
Thinking about going back makes me so so anxious and terrified that I can't do this. Is this normal? Will it pass? I'm absolutely terrified. Please give me any advice you can! Thanks!
