New graduate: when will I finally feel like I know anything!

Published

Hey everyone! You guys are so helpful and kind on here. I really appreciate your knowledge and feedback.

I have finally graduated and started working at my first job. The med surg floor I work on is pretty heavy with a 5-1 patient ratio. Many are dependent on care. We have no HCAs to help either:( Everything is upto the nurse.

Lately i I feel very anxious going into work and wonder if nursing is even for me. I feel as if I'm not quick enough, or know when to call the doctor,or how to effectively critically think while judggling so many things throughout the day.

I can't start IVs well or do blood work too well. Many of my veins just don't end up working. I feel stupid and discouraged. The nurses on my floor hate it when I ask questions so I feel even more depressed. I feel burnt out after every shift and want to tear up because I don't feel competent an s happy with my care.

I just feel like ill never ever know how to be a efficient and successful nurse. I want to know everything and the unknown of it all gives me anxiety. Not knowing how to do certain skillls properly or document certain things or talk to certain ppl.

I dont onow i just feel very dicouraged. I try my best to give everything to my patients and be a diligent and smart nurse but maybe I'm just too stupid.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Becoming confident in yourself and your ability to be a good nurse takes time. Practice makes perfect.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Thoracic Cardiovasc ICU Med-Surg.

The first six to twelve months as a nurse will most likely be the hardest in your entire career. Expect that you will feel uncomfortable. That is good! That is a sign that you are growing and learning.

Every day at the end of the day, try to think about something you knew at the finish that you didn't at the start. I bet you are getting better every day and you just don realize it yet.

The day will come when you walk on to your floor confident that you can pretty much handle whatever is tossed your way.

There is a book I bought as a new nurse that helped me- it's an old book now, lol. "How to survive your first year as a nurse."

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion