New nurse fears

[redcherrynurse]

Hello all,

I'm new to this site but have been reading articles for a long time. I do have to say that I enjoy all the information exchange that goes on here.

So, I am currently an LVN while in RN/BSN school. I have worked as a hospices/home health nurse for a year. I currently work at a registry for hospitals, but only once a week due to my school schedule. (If I get called in that is). I feel like I am not fully ready to work in a hospital. I do understand that nobody is when they start, but I have this fear in me that I can't do it and it brings me to tears just thinking about it. I am beyond terrified on messing up or losing my licence. I don't know what to do or how to overcome this fear. Should I quit and go back to hospice until I graduate? Or should I stick it out and try my best? I am currently looking for volunteering opportunities to get a better handle on things, but I'm still terrified. Please help... I'll take any advice.

Thank you in advance!

[itsmejuli]

I understand how you feel, hospital nursing is not my cup of tea either.

You don`t have to work in a hospital, you can stick with hospice and home health.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

Of course you're not ready to work in a hospital as an RN. You aren't one yet, you've had negligible experience in hospitals in clinicals, and you are preparing to transition to a new role with greater responsibility, the magnitude of which is foreign to you so far. But have heart.

You are in school to learn to assume the RN role at the beginning level. Every new grad is nervous about his/her first RN job. That's why you're in school. It's appropriate for you to be nervous about it now, because you aren't ready yet. But have some faith in your faculty :) -- when they graduate you, they'll think you're ready.

As to staying in hospice because it's your comfort zone, you'd still be doing it in a more responsible role than that of an LPN. "Ships were not built to stay in port" means that staying in a comfortable place is, well, comfortable, but there's no growth there and sooner or later you wonder why you bothered to go to BSN school and get an RN. Sail on!

Lose the word "terrified" from your self-descriptive vocabulary right this minute. I mean it. Never use it again, and if you feel it coming on, immediately replace it with the word "challenged" or "excited!" Challenges you can rise to and meet, but terror is a paralytic. This is an exciting time! Embrace it!

[redcherrynurse]

Omg. You are amazing! Just reading what you wrote put a spark in me. Thank you for answering my question. I will be more positive and not say terrified anymore.

I know I need to take the bull by the horns and make it happen right, because new change is different. I have never thought of this as a challenge, but will do now. Thank you!!!!!

[Surg-OncRN]

I was terrified when I started working in the hospital as well. GrnTea is right, in order to grow you need to step out of your comfort zone. This transition will not only help you to become a better nurse, but it will make you better at handling challenges in your personal life as well at home. You will look back on this five years from now and be glad that you stepped up to the plate. Good luck!

[redcherrynurse]

Thank you. You guys are right. I need to step out of my comfort zone. I really do appreciate the feedback.