I am currently a Junior nursing student (I will graduating next year). I read posts in the New Grad section of this website & always come across people saying how difficult nursing is when you start out. I read their frustrations and I get worried because almost everyone states how they have panic attacks, dread going in to work, and feel like they have no support from the other employees on the floor.
I wanted to pose a question for new grads and the more experienced nurses out there. My professors bring up in class about how the 'patient' has changed over the years, and in class today, one prof. made a good point that "Only the sickest of the sick are in the hospital, and everyone else is at home". People today are experiencing more chronic diseases at a younger age.
Do you more experienced nurses (nurse for 10, 20, maybe 30 years) feel like you've struggled as a new graduate? Do you feel as though the conditions that patients suffer with have increased with difficulty over the years? And finally, if you didn't particularly 'struggle' working as a new grad, do you think that the increasing complexity of patient issues are overwhelming new grads today?
New grads, what are the factors at work that make you feel as though you are sinking, so to speak? What can you do to improve upon those problems, if they are under your control?
Is there any particular area (oncology, med-surg, ED, ICU, etc) that you feel specifically challenging and difficult?
Just curious. I would like to have an idea on the thoughts of seasoned nurses and new grads. Thank you in advance.:redbeathe