New Nurse and Nervous About Skills

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Specializes in Neonatal and Pediatric ICU Nurse.

I'm not sure if I'm the only one, but I'm so afraid to start working! Our clinical rotations basically consisted of pt care (bathing, changing linens, etc..) My entire time I gave 1 IM injection, 1 insulin injection, started 1 IV and passed a couple of meds. That's it!! We practiced in lab all the skills, but its so different on a living person! I planned on seeing if I could volunteer at a shot clinic now that I'm licensed to get some experience. I really hope I have a patient and willing nurse to help assist me with skills when the time comes.

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I'm not sure if I'm the only one but I'm so afraid to start working! Our clinical rotations basically consisted of pt care (bathing, changing linens, etc..) My entire time I gave 1 IM injection, 1 insulin injection, started 1 IV and passed a couple of meds. That's it!! We practiced in lab all the skills, but its so different on a living person! I planned on seeing if I could volunteer at a shot clinic now that I'm licensed to get some experience. I really hope I have a patient and willing nurse to help assist me with skills when the time comes.[/quote']

I'm nervous too! But we have to start somewhere I'm sure everyone feels unconfident starting out

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I'm not sure if I'm the only one but I'm so afraid to start working! Our clinical rotations basically consisted of pt care (bathing, changing linens, etc..) My entire time I gave 1 IM injection, 1 insulin injection, started 1 IV and passed a couple of meds. That's it!! We practiced in lab all the skills, but its so different on a living person! I planned on seeing if I could volunteer at a shot clinic now that I'm licensed to get some experience. I really hope I have a patient and willing nurse to help assist me with skills when the time comes.[/quote']

Don't worry! I'm newly licensed as well & even though u can't wait! To start working I'm so scared & nervous I'll mess up! Yikes! But I'm pretty sure once we start working, it will go away like a snap of my fingers.

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I'm not sure if I'm the only one but I'm so afraid to start working! Our clinical rotations basically consisted of pt care (bathing, changing linens, etc..) My entire time I gave 1 IM injection, 1 insulin injection, started 1 IV and passed a couple of meds. That's it!! We practiced in lab all the skills, but its so different on a living person! I planned on seeing if I could volunteer at a shot clinic now that I'm licensed to get some experience. I really hope I have a patient and willing nurse to help assist me with skills when the time comes.[/quote']

Same here! I start my first job Monday on a rehab unit in LTC! I'm soo nervous!! But this is what we've been preparing for right?? We can do it!!

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It's a very common feeling when starting out. I did about the same as you in clinical, not very much, lots of watching but not much doing. I started out as a new grad in a skilled nursing unit, but it was in a hospital. I really didn't get to do many skills, I started 1 IV in the year I was there and mainly did lots of insulin injections and some dressing changes. Now I am starting out on a very busy med surg unit and I'm using a lot of skills. I thought it was going to be awful and was nervous to even try, but the first IV I tried, I got it, the same with other skills. I haven't used some skills since nursing school, but I'm finding that they are all coming back to me. The more experienced nurses will help you and when you are in orientation, take every opportunity to practice your skills with your preceptor. Let your preceptor know which skills you want to work on the most and they can find opportunities for you. I'm still nervous every day and it's good to have a little anxiety because it keeps you thinking, keep your patient safe and you will be just fine. Good luck!

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