Remember that time long, long ago when you were green and not very confident? Or maybe you still are in that hard situation and want to know yes, it will pass? This article highlights some of my bloopers as a nursing student/new nurse. As you can see, I was not a quick learner but became a confident, content Med/Surg nurse. I think most of my mistakes can top other young nurses' bloopers, and if not, it's something to share.
I was a new nurse not too many years ago, but I still remember the stress. I was very shy as a nursing student and as a new graduate. I felt like I was the most hopeless nurse in the world. I had very little confidence in myself and frequently put myself down. I know many students/new nurses feel the same, so here's a little list of my mistakes or mistakes others have made that I am aware of.
The bottom line is that we aren't perfect, but with perseverance even the most awkward, timid nurse can succeed. You learn from your mistakes. You hone your skills with repetition. The first year and a half, I wasn't confident. I now know that confidence comes with experience. So, for those of you who feel stressed, hopeless, and awkward, know that those feelings are shared by many. You're not alone.
The worst mistake I made so far...nothing too dramatic. I forgot to re clip my patient's Foley bag so her room was pretty wet with urine. I felt really bad and the house keeping lady chewed me out for it. I was too timid in nursing school to talk so I think I've come a long way on that front.
Yeah, I have done that too!
I can't tell you how comforting this article was to me! I am waiting for nursing school to start in august. I was accepted into the Wagner College Accelerated Nursing program and i was very anxious about school and all to come after. Knowing that I will make mistakes and that like any job you learn as you go is a great help! Thanks!
I'm a new grad and just started working at a surgery center. There was no formal training, so I felt like the most helpless, incompetent nurse ever. Mind you, I'm not very familiar with the OR as I only got 1 day of clinical rotation, and I was just thrown in there expected to know everything. At the end of the day, I spoke with the doctor who is owner of the center and told him that I need more training then this. He seemed to just brush it off and wasn't understanding. After this day I've had the worst anxiety and depression. I go back on Sunday and can't help but feel nauseous. I'm afraid to be left alone, I don't have experience yet! Being shy and such an introvert isn't much help eiither. I'm trying to hang in there and hope that things will get better. I know I just started but I'm already feeling like nursing wasn't a right choice for me.
I'm a new grad and just started working at a surgery center. There was no formal training, so I felt like the most helpless, incompetent nurse ever. Mind you, I'm not very familiar with the OR as I only got 1 day of clinical rotation, and I was just thrown in there expected to know everything. At the end of the day, I spoke with the doctor who is owner of the center and told him that I need more training then this. He seemed to just brush it off and wasn't understanding. After this day I've had the worst anxiety and depression. I go back on Sunday and can't help but feel nauseous. I'm afraid to be left alone, I don't have experience yet! Being shy and such an introvert isn't much help eiither. I'm trying to hang in there and hope that things will get better. I know I just started but I'm already feeling like nursing wasn't a right choice for me.
Your first job as a new grad can make or break you. You need to work in an environment that understands you need training and will provide it. If a physician is the one coordinating your training, that's the first issue. How can a physician know how much training a new nurse in that specialty will need? Imagine if a nurse were coordinating a physician's residency. You're already there but staying at a place that doesn't acknowledge your need for more training isn't going to be a fun place to work, I can tell you that
dcwang
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@rnsheri, what specialty did you go into? I find that I Like pt care but talking to pts especially those not alerted and oriented x4 is the most difficult for me