new nurse who needs advice

klone, MSN, RN · Sep 14, 2010

How long have you been there? How long was your orientation?

A certain amount of that is definitely normal. I remember getting a sick feeling in my stomach before shifts, the first few months. After that it gradually passed.

NuteRN · Sep 14, 2010

I felt that way. It gets better. If you don't feel comfortable with certain things, ask for help or advice, or ask for more training. There is never anything wrong with asking for help. Give it some time and then look at how you feel about it.

PCU_RN9, MSN · Sep 14, 2010

I had 6 weeks of orientation, and I have been on my own for about 3 weeks. Its so stressful.

PCU_RN9, MSN · Sep 14, 2010

I had a 6 week orientation and have been on my own for about 3 weeks.

SchoolNurseLaura · Sep 14, 2010

IT IS NORMAL! Stick with it, you are not super-woman, eventhough you are expected to be. One thing at a time, one day at a time!! Completely normal!! You are doing the best you can, they hired you for a reason! Because you are GREAT! Keep up the good work! You know more than you think you do!!! Everyone goes through it, you're not alone!

cecilsgirl · Sep 14, 2010

After 20 years I still drive to work with butterflies in my stomach, it isn't that I feel I can't do the job well, but it is the factor of "The UNKOWN!" Nursing isn't the same everyday, such as if I went to a job where I just typed or did part work or ect.. It is dealing with people, and they are ever changing in their statis, or can change. Then throw in how much help will show up for work, who may fall ,who may get a skin tear, who may become sick and need to go to the hospital, ( I work in LTC) it is an ever changing job, and that Is why I still get those butterflies. Good luck to you, and it does get better, but you may always feel a little scared. I still go home and re-think my day in my head, and hope I didn't forget something big, and hope I made a difference in someone's life. for the better.

pumpkin455 · Sep 14, 2010

Yes! It does get easier! I have been a nurse now for a little over a year and just within the past few months has most of the anxiety gone away. I remember nights before going to work where I would throw up from my nerves. I still get anxious, but not nearly as bad as it once was. I now feel like the anxiety I do have keeps me on my toes

ObtundedRN, BSN, RN · Sep 14, 2010

So you went through the honeymoon period, and now in the shock phase. Its the normal cycle of things. Give it a little more time and you will start to feel better.

rnjeffrey · Sep 14, 2010

Give it more time. Ask questions when you are unsure. You will start to remember all the things that nursing school did not teach you, but you learnt on the job(trial by fire LOL). Though I am extremely surprised by your extremely short orientation period. If my day and at all the hospitals I have worked at, new graduates at given a minumum of 3-6 months orientation. I guess money is the bottom line now. Good luck..

nurse2033, MSN, RN · Sep 14, 2010

Welcome to the rat race! You will start to make sense of the chaos with time. Find a mentor whom you can ask questions, or just ask the charge nurse. Forging ahead without knowing what you are doing is a mistake. Your colleagues will trust you more if you are open and ask questions. If you really feel deficient, have a conversation with your educator. Hang in there, it will get easier!

Ruby Vee, BSN · Sep 14, 2010

well i graduated and was so happy to find a nursing job on a progressive care unit. i thought everything was going great. but i have started to dread going to work, on my days off i stress and worry about work. its just so hard, it's a very busy unit, and there is so much to know that was never taught in nursing school!! i feel like i am an awful nurse as well as incompetent and i'm always extremely stressed. is this normal? will it eventually pass? i am so unhappy right now. i dont know if i should begin to look for another job or try to stick it out. maybe nursing just isnt for me?

the first year sucks. you're supposed to feel incompetent much of the time -- if you don't, you may be too cocky which is a bad thing. a very bad thing. hating going to work is pretty normal, too. unhappiness in your first job is so common it's almost a given. stick it out. there is no perfect job, and you don't want a reputation for job hopping, especially in this economy!