New Grads after 6 months: How do you feel?

[RNcDreams]

I've hit the 6 month mark.......and the warm-fuzzy feelings that I had toward the end of my preceptorship have evaporated.

Before work, I now find myself feeling anxious, nauseated, and afraid....yet hopeful.

I think this is for a variety of reasons:

1. There is no longer a preceptor by my side to encourage, guide, and safeguard

2. I'm adjusting to the lack of bathroom breaks, meal breaks, and rest

3. I'm coming face to face with my inadequacies--there are so many meds to know, so many different patient presentations, so much paperwork, so many personalities to work with, and so many "different" family members to answer to

4. I am hating the fact that I can't get through a day without messing something up and feeling like an idiot

5. I am horrified at how easy it is to make serious errors

6. I am frightened by the amount of responsibility this job entails, yet I am proud of myself for attaining it

Is this a common way to feel at this point? I've heard over and over "after your first year, you'll feel much better."

Is there such a thing as the 6 month slump?

[Pink Lotus]

I feel the same way. I have already figured out that the unit I am working on is not what I want to do for the rest of my career. I hate the feeling of going to work and dreading it. But I only have 7 more days before my maternity leave, and after that I will be applying to different units. Life is to short.

you are lucky to have maternaty leave-- I am not ready for kids but sometimes think of just getting pregnant just so I don't have to go back to work! However I do like what you have to say about lifes too short-- I think I'll start looking around to see if there are other units out there that are a better fit for me.

[NPs4health]

At 6 months I couldn't sleep at night, didn't eat much during the day, and had aching burning feeling in my legs. I went to the doctor (reluctantly because I hated even being in a medical vicinity on my off days) and they diagnosed me with acute anxiety disorder! To make a long story short, I was a mess and hating my work just as many have mentioned above.

Now it's almost a year and I am still bumbling around a bit but I've gotten to know my co-workers and found ones that I can trust and talk to. I've also figured out who the slackers are on the unit and try to steer clear of them. My skills have not improved significantly, but my time management has improved a little and I can say I get off on time about 60% of shifts. I find myself not afraid to call for order clarifications, having more foresight on what kind of orders doctors will write, and having a tiny bit more control on how the days will go. I think finding a good hospital and a good unit is the most important. If by a year you still don't feel right, it may be time to look for another unit.

[RNDave]

I'm just through my first 6 months since preceptorship. Over all it's been a great experience. We've had some students doing a rotation on our unit recently. I don't know about you all but it makes me nervous, especially when they pass meds. To quote W.C. Fields, "Go away kid. You bother me."

Anyway, I'm better organized, making better decisions and feeling less overwhelmed. Getting a decent break on my afternoon shift is still rare for me, and for other seasoned nurses I might add. The best part is the patients. I feel like I'm made a good decision staying on the only unit I've worked.

Dave

[Morettia2, BSN, RN]

I have not hit the six month mark yet only three months and counting. First and foremost I love nursing, but it is the most demanding job I've ever had. I'm still on orientation so I get lots of help, but sometimes I feel it's a blessing and a curse. My preceptor picks up what I usually forget.... what if she's not there who'll do it?

I can't even get to know my patients and all the meds their taking. The other day the Doc said make sure she gets the Neurontin...she's getting that for the herpes on her arm. I've been touching her gloveless for how long now??

I've only successfully put in one IV, which the patient pulled out thirty minutes later. Giving report is like..."Ah....and,...ah what else". I still forget to clamp the tubing for the IV's before I open them so now the solution just comes squirting out everywhere.

The other day the patient's family was watching while I suctioned her Mom, had no idea what I was doing luckily she didn't know. I stress out about giving medications on time, now 10 and 12 o'clock meds are given at the same time.

Hopefully it will get better, I do want to learn how to handle myself when my preceptor goes. I often get alot of thanks from my patients and some are sad to see me leave, a few have requested to ask me to be their nurse if they ever come back......guess I'm doing some things right.

Good Luck to us all.

haha this sums up everything!!! thanks so much for the post..it is EXACTLY the way i feel!!

[hikernurse]

Oh, it will get better!

All of your feelings (including the car wreck on the way to work!) are normal.

I found that it got better around the year mark. Then as each day passes, your confidence increases as does your knowledge. Soon, you will have an epiphany and think, "OMG, when did I stop hating work so much?"

Soon the drives home in tears will stop.

Soon you will stop hating yourself for forgetting to chart a med or assessment.

Soon you won't feel bad for saying "no, I can't come to the phone right now" and allow the pharmacy or lab to wait.

Soon you will just allow yourself to be a nurse, and just accept that you are not, nor ever will be perfect.

Then, things will get so much better.

Boy, I hope so. I don't dare call in sick because I'm afraid I might not ever go back.

Most of the nurses I work with are great and I like my unit, but I do get tired of feeling like the village idiot whenever I'm there. I guess we just need to keep slogging along, eh?

Thanks for your words of encouragement :redbeathe.