New nurse, 2nd day on the unit, i feel like i know nothing..Help please.

[emmsha]

I need advice.. This is my second week of orientation, and 2nd day on the unit of a LTC facility. I feel terrible, scared and dumb. Did any of you feel this way when you start working as a nurse..like you know nothing.

I am suppose to be on orientation, but I feel that my preceptor and CNAs are expecting me to know everything already. HELLO.. I AM A NEW NURSE!!! I am also overwhelm because i will be doing only 2 weeks orientation on the unit with 22 patients. I have to give meds, do treatments and communication with MDs, NPs and other healthcare team, do different documentations,...How will I learn all that in 2 weeks and they are making me feel miserable already. I want to focus on learning now, but i am occupied with the fact that in 8 days, I will be left on my own with 22 patients. What should I do? Is this ok or maybe i am just dumb? I feel like nursing is not for me. Do you feel that way when you start. PLEASE HELPPPPP!!!

[ERRNTraveler, RN]

2 weeks is not enough orientation for a new grad. If your facility is not willing to extend your orientation, I'd look for a new job. You might be happier at a hospital- you'll get better experience and learn more, and most hospitals have orientation/preceptor programs for new grads lasting at least 6-12 weeks.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

We ALL feel that way at first. You're not supposed to know everything. After orientation, keep looking things up and using your resources and coworkers. Hang in there. We all have been there and somehow, believe it or not, you'll survive just like we did.

[shellsgogreen]

the beginning is rough, and the feeling of incompetency can be overwhelming - especially if you don't feel if that you have support , but there's usually one kind soul who remembers what it was like to be new - try to seek them out . also, you mention that in 8 days you will be on your own, and that thought, i know. is frightening enough - try to focus on your routine and learn as much as you can in these next few days - a lot of learning can happen in that time - if you still feel completely overwhelmed, and not ready, your preceptor and manager needs to know -

best of luck to you

[suanna]

I can't imagine starting at a LTC facillity as a new grad. I would see if you can find a acute care based job. You will have a much larger support system and get a chance to learn with a smaller patient assignment. Having 2-3 experienced RNs around you to help fill in the gaps they left in school is essential to most new grads transition to the real world. I think the responsibilities of the RN at a LTC facillity would overwhelm most RNs let alone a new grad.

[NurseRatched67]

Speak up to your nurse manager about your concerns and tell them that you feel you will not be ready in two weeks to be on your own.

If they disagree and you feel you are jepordizing your own license and most importantly patient safety, then I think it's time to look for a job with a more comprehensive and longer orientation.

I think one of the biggest mistakes new grads make when interviewing for a job is forgetting to ask direct questions about the orientation process, like how long?, goals expected to meet?, will I have one or more preceptors?

Get the information up front. Don't just take a job because you are excited as a new nurse at maybe the first offer you get. All people interviewing are usually nice, they want to fill a spot!

However, asking direct and fair questions and expecting direct and fair responses is your right.

Don't take a job if someone tells you..."oh you'll pick this up in two weeks no problem". I've never seen a new grad pick up everything they need to know in 2 weeks. I've never seen an experienced nurse transferring to a different unit do it either. The difference is the experienced nurse will never admit it. LOL.

Be brave and speak up about your fears. If the place that employs you is really proactive about retaining their nursing staff, they will listen and help. If they don't or won't...well they would see my backside heading out the door pretty quickly.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

I would also speak up, but unfortunately, in long term care, this seems to be the norm. I have been hearing that people have had as short as two or three days as new grads. I have a friend who took her boards a year after I did and went to a nursing home that told her that she would have two days; one for patient care, another for paperwork. I told her to run for the hills.

[Medsport, LPN]

Sounds familiar. I only had 5 days orientation at my first LTC job. Although I was supposed to have 7 and they felt I needed more training after 5, they let me go because it was'nt in the budget. I recently got a job at a "better" place and they said I would get as much orientation that I thought I needed. Well, I've had 5 days, and although I feel better about it than the 1st place, I just found out I'm supposed to be on my own tomorrow.

I still have'nt done a complete med pass on my own and just looked at the treatment book for the first time today. I still have'nt really done any charting on my own yet. Well, I'm not going to worry about it and just do the best I can and get whatever I can get done in my shift. I'm tired (literally) of not getting enough sleep the past few nights worrying about it. Another new person who started when I did stayed over 2 hours on her shift her first night and she has a lot of experience at other facilities.