New nurse blues

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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?

Wow...talk about demeaning! Referring to older nurses as "old hags." Your co-workers also deserve to be respected; it's a two way street, and if this is your attitude toward the more experienced nurses on your unit, maybe your attitude is contributing to your difficulties.

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Lets back it up just a bit here. I never said that I (or my husband) felt that older, more experienced nurses were old hags. You read that into it completely on your own. The only point I was making is that he had to deal with mean, nasty nurses who made working on the unit almost unbearable. THAT is what was meant by old hags. It is simply a figure of speech and does not stereotype older, experienced nurses. I am no spring chicken myself. I take acception to your comment. By the way...I have a GREAT attitude.

Wow...talk about demeaning! Referring to older nurses as "old hags." Your co-workers also deserve to be respected; it's a two way street, and if this is your attitude toward the more experienced nurses on your unit, maybe your attitude is contributing to your difficulties.
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OK, so you didn't mean older nurses. In any case, referring to a colleague as an "old hag" is derogatory. (I've never heard of the term "young hag," though.)

I find the juxtaposition of "new grad" and "old hag" pretty telling, in any case.

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Lets back it up just a bit here. I never said that I (or my husband) felt that older, more experienced nurses were old hags. You read that into it completely on your own. The only point I was making is that he had to deal with mean, nasty nurses who made working on the unit almost unbearable. THAT is what was meant by old hags. It is simply a figure of speech and does not stereotype older, experienced nurses. I am no spring chicken myself. I take acception to your comment. By the way...I have a GREAT attitude.

Why take offense when it doesn't appear any was intended? The "old hag" label might refer more to a person's state of mind than their age, but without clarification, age is probably the first thing people think of when they see the word old.

Miranda

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Oh i so understand. i have been on orientation for about 2 months, and am getting off in 2 weeks . i work a stepdown unit. I am still trying to find my routine. if you have any help , let me know. Its so hectic during the day, we have heart cath patients coming back and many other scenarios. i feel sometimes im being pushed to my limits. In 2 weeks i will be on my own and working days. im scared because days are extremely busy with heart caths, cabg patients , all the dr, and orders and just everything else. friday i had a rough day , a certain doc was rude as hell. i will keep my head up but i am nervous of the day thing. i work 3 or 4 12's and then off . if anyone has suggestions for a routine let me know. i have had several preceptors so i feel as if ive been thrown to the wolves. gotta go the little one is calling. Please help.

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I've just started my 2nd year in nursing school, so what do I know about what's "out there??" But, I just wanted to say "Great Post!" Thank you for these words as these are true words of encouragement! You have a great way about keeping a realistic head while still finding the silver lining of the cloud! Very mature advice... and also very smart!! Thank you!

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

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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

I am six weeks into orientation in ICU. I just graduated in May 2005. It is very stressful at times. My preceptor and fellow nurses on the unit are wonderful. I have no problem asking any of them questions. They really do watch out for me too. Even though i have support, sometimes I feel I barely can keep my head above water. There are SO many things to remember. and so much to learn. I look forward to learning new things, but I hope I don't injure someone in the process. I graduated the top in my class from nursing school, but now I feel so lost at times. Looking back on it now, nursing school was a breeze. Anyway I am having difficulty not beating myself when I do something wrong(ex: forget to chart something, admission assessments...). Any tips on how to get past feeling that I have to do everything perfectly?

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A little off topic, I haven't even started Nursing School yet but find I document and get a signature for EVERYTHING. I've been screwed too many times by AOL, work, banks, sometimes even family. It's sorta sad but I say about all else CYA- Cover Your Ass(ets)!!!

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I am six weeks into orientation in ICU. I just graduated in May 2005. It is very stressful at times. My preceptor and fellow nurses on the unit are wonderful. I have no problem asking any of them questions. They really do watch out for me too. Even though i have support, sometimes I feel I barely can keep my head above water. There are SO many things to remember. and so much to learn. I look forward to learning new things, but I hope I don't injure someone in the process. I graduated the top in my class from nursing school, but now I feel so lost at times. Looking back on it now, nursing school was a breeze. Anyway I am having difficulty not beating myself when I do something wrong(ex: forget to chart something, admission assessments...). Any tips on how to get past feeling that I have to do everything perfectly?

Congrats and welcome to nursing! You'll love it when you get your feet on the ground. You have entered a very tough area of nursing (exactly why I still think all new grads should do med-surg first). You're doing all the right things and it sounds as if you ahve a wonderful support team around you. That's all you can hope for. Nursing school IS a breeze compared to being a new grad. But it sounds as if you have had some good background and you just have to wait it out! Be patient! It will only get better. Some people keep a little nte pad in their pocked and jot down specific things they want to remember.

It might be good to try and have the same patient(s) for a span of time so you can get used to continuity. Maybe you already do that. learning to prioritize is a big one and very important in any patinet care area.

As far as being a perfectionsist, you have to get over that yourself. We are all human. A more comfortable flow will come with experience. You'll settle into your own routine of when you do what and when you chart whatever. Do they have cheat sheets that they chart on ? Use a model from one of them and then streamline it to your liking. Ask your co-workers for tips on what works for them. Everyone has their own routine.

You're not supposed to be ready to fly alone yet, NOR are you expected to be perfect. Just relax and take it easy. You'll learn more each day. Even those of us with years of experience couldn't walk into your ICU and function at all!

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Thank you for those words of encouragement. I know I'm stressed now,but I do feel that I picked a rewarding area to work in and I'll learn more everyday. :)

Congrats and welcome to nursing! You'll love it when you get your feet on the ground. You have entered a very tough area of nursing (exactly why I still think all new grads should do med-surg first). You're doing all the right things and it sounds as if you ahve a wonderful support team around you. That's all you can hope for. Nursing school IS a breeze compared to being a new grad. But it sounds as if you have had some good background and you just have to wait it out! Be patient! It will only get better. Some people keep a little nte pad in their pocked and jot down specific things they want to remember.

It might be good to try and have the same patient(s) for a span of time so you can get used to continuity. Maybe you already do that. learning to prioritize is a big one and very important in any patinet care area.

As far as being a perfectionsist, you have to get over that yourself. We are all human. A more comfortable flow will come with experience. You'll settle into your own routine of when you do what and when you chart whatever. Do they have cheat sheets that they chart on ? Use a model from one of them and then streamline it to your liking. Ask your co-workers for tips on what works for them. Everyone has their own routine.

You're not supposed to be ready to fly alone yet, NOR are you expected to be perfect. Just relax and take it easy. You'll learn more each day. Even those of us with years of experience couldn't walk into your ICU and function at all!

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Thank you for those words of encouragement. I know I'm stressed now,but I do feel that I picked a rewarding area to work in and I'll learn more everyday. :)

Today was my first day with my preceptor out on an extremely busy L&D floor (over 8,000 deliveries/year). I was immediately thrown into (without warning), a fetal demise case. I walk into the room, and there is a 1.2 lb dead baby and distraught mom. Needless to say, it was a long day. In the breakroom later, older nurses (including the charge), didn't hesitiate to share that most new nurses end up quitting because they just can't handle the pace. Thinking back on the day, I did learn a lot, but like most of you, I was so overwhelmed w/the emotions and things to know it was unreal! I cried all the way home and I know it won't be the last time! I can't tell you all how great it is though, to hear I'm not alone! Every scenerio, from nice nurses, to nasty ones, endless policy/procedure/paperwork to learn, and always the overwhelming terror I might do something to harm my patients is staggering. I promised myself, though that I'd stick w/this a year and reevaluate it then. To anyone else feeling totally lost and overwhelmed, you are NOT alone!!! Hang in there- I will if you will!! :nurse: :nurse: :nurse:

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Today was my first day with my preceptor out on an extremely busy L&D floor (over 8,000 deliveries/year). I was immediately thrown into (without warning), a fetal demise case. I walk into the room, and there is a 1.2 lb dead baby and distraught mom. Needless to say, it was a long day. In the breakroom later, older nurses (including the charge), didn't hesitiate to share that most new nurses end up quitting because they just can't handle the pace. Thinking back on the day, I did learn a lot, but like most of you, I was so overwhelmed w/the emotions and things to know it was unreal! I cried all the way home and I know it won't be the last time! I can't tell you all how great it is though, to hear I'm not alone! Every scenerio, from nice nurses, to nasty ones, endless policy/procedure/paperwork to learn, and always the overwhelming terror I might do something to harm my patients is staggering. I promised myself, though that I'd stick w/this a year and reevaluate it then. To anyone else feeling totally lost and overwhelmed, you are NOT alone!!! Hang in there- I will if you will!! :nurse: :nurse: :nurse:

Placing you in this position doesn't say much for your preceptor or the facility. Hang in there. Get some experience and then find a better place to work (unless you decide you like it there). Then vow never to be like the nurses who precepted you today.

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