New nurse blues

rn/writer, RN · Jul 15, 2005

Hang in there newbies. Your preceptors and docs are forgetting to give you the one thing you need most right now--a little confidence. Here are a few suggestions to help you get through this anxious spell.

Keep a small notebook handy and write one or two things each day that you did well, that you remembered, that you are proud of. When someone gives your undies a twist, read the notebook and remind yourself that you are a capable nurse and decent human being.

Stay in touch with classmates and fellow orientees, but resist the urge to give in to a wail fest. Try to encourage each other and talk about why you wanted to become nurses in the first place.

Try to focus on the big picture. You are there to take care of patients who need more than just good technical skills. They need someone with a heart as well as a brain. Straighten rumpled bedding while doing an assessment. Hold a hand while counting respirations. Listen between the lines. Connection heals a world of hurts and not just for the patients.

Put the books away and go for a walk. Watch a tear-jerker movie, preferably with popcorn or chocolate. Cuddle a kid or a puppy. Take a hot bath with a good book. Buy yourself flowers. Burn a CD of favorites.

Keep your current situation in perspective. Much of what you are enduring right now is not really about you. Seasoned nurses get grumpy when their feet hurt, when the unit is short staffed, when they have crap going on at home, and, yes, when the newbie asks yet another question. In reality, you guys are lightening rods for complaints, in part, because as the new kids on the block, you aren't expected to fight back. I'm not saying you should respond in kind. Just refuse to personalize the carping. If you need to learn something, do so, but don't absorb negative messages that make you doubt your career choice or your right to take up space on the planet.

One last thing. Someday when you have more experience under your belts, please volunteer to precept someone else. If you can recall how raw and scared you feel right now, you'll be kind and fabulous coaches to a future crop of newbies.

I wish you all well.

Miranda

psalm, RN · Jul 15, 2005

Dear New Nurses,

I remember how awful it was my first job, some of the other nurses were so mean-spirited. My preceptor would meet with the other nurses to re-group w/o me! So I quit and went to LTC for 8 months...lost my bedside skills. Then moved to a med floor with high acuity. Love it/hate it. Work nights. Things to remember: You will survive, crying is a good stress reducer. You will cry less and less as you become comfortable with your workload. You are the pt. advocate so if you aren't sure of something or want another opinion, ask your charge for her/his opinion after stating your ideas...let's the charge see your view and rationale. Thank those who help you and be willing to help others when you are "free" of any duties. And it's been posted before, don't take it personal. And when a person newer than you comes on, be a friend for him/her. Smile, be positive, and appear confident in front of your pt. It will help you feel confident, even as you look up something. Oh, and stay hydrated. God bless.

TypicalFish · Jul 15, 2005

Hang in there newbies. Your preceptors and docs are forgetting to give you the one thing you need most right now--a little confidence. Here are a few suggestions to help you get through this anxious spell.
Keep a small notebook handy and write one or two things each day that you did well, that you remembered, that you are proud of. When someone gives your undies a twist, read the notebook and remind yourself that you are a capable nurse and decent human being.
Stay in touch with classmates and fellow orientees, but resist the urge to give in to a wail fest. Try to encourage each other and talk about why you wanted to become nurses in the first place.
Try to focus on the big picture. You are there to take care of patients who need more than just good technical skills. They need someone with a heart as well as a brain. Straighten rumpled bedding while doing an assessment. Hold a hand while counting respirations. Listen between the lines. Connection heals a world of hurts and not just for the patients.
Put the books away and go for a walk. Watch a tear-jerker movie, preferably with popcorn or chocolate. Cuddle a kid or a puppy. Take a hot bath with a good book. Buy yourself flowers. Burn a CD of favorites.
Keep your current situation in perspective. Much of what you are enduring right now is not really about you. Seasoned nurses get grumpy when their feet hurt, when the unit is short staffed, when they have crap going on at home, and, yes, when the newbie asks yet another question. In reality, you guys are lightening rods for complaints, in part, because as the new kids on the block, you aren't expected to fight back. I'm not saying you should respond in kind. Just refuse to personalize the carping. If you need to learn something, do so, but don't absorb negative messages that make you doubt your career choice or your right to take up space on the planet.
One last thing. Someday when you have more experience under your belts, please volunteer to precept someone else. If you can recall how raw and scared you feel right now, you'll be kind and fabulous coaches to a future crop of newbies.
I wish you all well.
Miranda

Miranda-thank you for the kind words! I like the notebook idea-I tend (i guess we all do) to focus on what I do wrong-it'd be nice at the end of a bad week to look at it and think "Gee, I did do somethings okay!"

mzkede · Jul 17, 2005

i really understand what you and the other nurses are feeling, after work friday, i was in tears and told my husband and kids i was not going back. not because i think it's too hard, because i expected it to be tough at first, but the negative attitude of some staff members are so discouraging, and it really hurts when you are giving your all,and doing your best, to hear and know people are being negative . we are in a transitional phase, well i got it out of my system after my 10 year old said "mama, you work really hard in school and you earn a right to be at that hospital, don't let anyone run you away" ,i know it's hard, but i also know we have it in us to be great nurses. so i'll be there bright and early monday morning at it again. good luck and thank all of you, these posting really touch my heart and help me through tough times.

God bless,

mzkede

pjdouble · Jul 21, 2005

I am so very sorry to hear that you received such negative messages from the unit preceptors...evidently, they've forgotten what it is like to be a new grad! It's scary to make the transition...it's like having kids in that everyone tells you what it's like, you read all the parenting books around, go to classes, etc, then you actually have a child and realize that there is so much you still don't know, and you run into situations that the books didn't prepare you for and no one thought to tell you about. I will promise you this; if you hang in there, it will get better. Just keep going and have faith in yourself! :nurse: :redpinkhe

Karen · Jul 21, 2005

As an experienced nurse (20 years) nursing is still a tough job and with 12 hour shifts (they are killers!) The most important thing you can do for your self is to take care of yourself. Bring your lunch, protein bars, yogurt, and water. Don't think you can"t take a few minutes here and there to keep fueled up and go to the bathroom. Excercise on your days off. Treat yourself to some reflexology or massage. You will feel better and think better. The other thing I do that always makes my day better is to take time to get organized first thing. I make a "to do" for each patient such as for one on a heparin drip...check PTT. You have to work on it to find a system for yourself and probably your precepter should be helping you with that. Another thing that is important is not to be afraid to talk to the Nurse Educator about your feelings some times they can extend orientation or clarify expections or just be a willing listener to validate your feelings. Its not a bad thing to identify that you are a new nurse to your co-workers that might not be aware. I work per diem through an agency and I have no way of knowing if you have 20 days of experience or 20 years. I'd like to know because there is definitely a difference and I would be more proactive in helping you where as an experienced nurse I would expect to reach out to me when needed.

carlaann12 · Jul 21, 2005

Fear is the devil's way of trying to get us out of our destiny and whatever blessings that God has for us that day. God has a plan for you. If you remember that you are working for God and all He expects is for you to to your best. The rest will fall into place. When you start to feel fearful tell the devil to get behind you and ask God for his guidence.

Dorito, ASN, RN · Jul 21, 2005

pleaides- i feel your pain too and i am thinking of quitting and realizing I made a terrible mistake and wasted 2 yrs(or more) on school. It really stinks when you got 6 mos, and are told you are one of the senior nurses!!!Ithe last thing i want to do is put anyone in danger, but this situation is just setting me up for it, and ill end up losing my license anyway, so I might as well quit before i get sued. should have gone to rad tech in the first place - at least it's only one pt at a time, and chances are they aint going to die on you at that pt. Sorry, i guess i'm the negative one today. good luck with your decision.- jr

Hang in there. We've all felt what you are going through. I've been a nurse 26 years and have even felt frustrated when switching depts or different shifts. We need you young nurses. When I started in nursing my orientation was 3 days! Talk about panic! I'm just lucky I didn't harm anyone. Always know there is someone to bounce things off of if you are unsure or get the "gut feeling"...supervisors, charge nurses etc. 2 heads are always better than one. Hang in there !

Aquamarine · Jul 21, 2005

I am in my first week of orientation, I feel like I may be where you are now in a month. I can feel the fear. If I were you I would say stick it out at least 6 months, just keep pointed in the right direction. If then you still are not happy try a different facility. If that does not work try another type of nursing. Yest it was a good idea to go to nursing school. Good luck.You have my empathy!!! Nancy

I am nearing the end of my "orientation" program in my first RN job. The first two weeks were spent observing various departments and then we went to the floors to orient. A month later and all the preceptors are tired of having new grads ask questions. "Didn't you people learn ANYTHING in nursing school?" Sure we did, we spent a gazillion hours on care plans, which are not used much here. Right now I am absolutely hating this hospital job. After a six week orientation we are supposed to be full-fledged RN's, ready to do anything! My feeling right now is that I am on a sinking ship. Never in my life have I felt or been made to feel incompetent, but I sure do now. I know I should say **I CAN do this** and so every day I say that mantra over and over on my way to work. But when I get there, and try to do everything for 4-5 patients as well as new admits and computer charting on a very user-unfriendly system, I am not sure if I really will be able to do this. Is being nervous and having a constant feeling of cold fear and dread normal for a new RN or have I made a wrong turn in life by going to nursing school?

vickster · Jul 21, 2005

I am nearing the end of my "orientation" program in my first RN job. The first two weeks were spent observing various departments and then we went to the floors to orient. A month later and all the preceptors are tired of having new grads ask questions. "Didn't you people learn ANYTHING in nursing school?" Sure we did, we spent a gazillion hours on care plans, which are not used much here. Right now I am absolutely hating this hospital job. After a six week orientation we are supposed to be full-fledged RN's, ready to do anything! My feeling right now is that I am on a sinking ship. Never in my life have I felt or been made to feel incompetent, but I sure do now. I know I should say **I CAN do this** and so every day I say that mantra over and over on my way to work. But when I get there, and try to do everything for 4-5 patients as well as new admits and computer charting on a very user-unfriendly system, I am not sure if I really will be able to do this. Is being nervous and having a constant feeling of cold fear and dread normal for a new RN or have I made a wrong turn in life by going to nursing school?

Oh baby, I'm having deja-vous!!

We've all been there, it's gets better, and then some days it's worse again. Every good nurse out there has been humbled-don't worry, we've got your back.:kiss

OMG212 · Jul 22, 2005

hello,

i didn't have training or an orientation program in my country (spain), that's why when i read your posting i felt scared and relieved at the same time. having an orientation program is going to be great for me, but at the same time i can really understand your situation.

on july 2, 1999 one week after i finished my study program in the university i received my certificate which allowed me to work as a nurse in my country. that day i went to the hospital in my city and turned in my job application. the same day somebody called me from the hospital offering me a job, and i was supposed to start the next day in the second shift, in surgical cardiology floor, with 16 patients, i don't know if you could imagine how i felt in that moment, i was going to die. i will never forget that first day, when i arrived that night from the hospital i was totally sure that i wanted to quit.

i think this is normal, we, all of us, are going to have to deal with this situation, and not only in the beginning, we choose a really special job, people, lives, we are not scare about breaking something, or forgetting some "important piece of paper"

i had been working 11 years in my country, first as assistant nurse and the last 4 years as a rn and every time i changed specialities i felt in the same way.

after almost two years waiting in this country for my papers i finally have one big step done, and my next big step is going to be really soon (nclex) so in few months i'm going to be in a hospital, another first day, and not only after 2 years without put even a subcutanean injection but also with languages barriers, i'm going to be scare, i'm going to hate my job, but the only thing i know for sure is, with time everything is going to be all right.

i wish you all luck.

oliver

pd: sorry for my english, i hope you understood the message.

busykim · Jul 22, 2005

As said in other posts--- it is a very common feeling to be overwhelmed, unsure and scared as a new grad. I have been a nurse for only a year now and boy can I relate!!!

I used to have nightmares all the time and replay the shift in my dreams for the first 6 mos. in the ER. I also had diarrhea so bad that I used to joke that I was worried that I had C-diff! :rolleyes: The funny thing is I only had it on the mornings before I worked!!!

You will soon learn which nurses you can go to for help, there are always certain one's that like to teach and remember what it is like to be new.

I can tell you that after 6 mos. it got alot better, and now after a year I love my job I am still learning and striving to be an excellent nurse, but am gaining confidence daily!

Thanks to all seasoned nurses that encourage and teach us newbies!!! Kim