New nurse working for a month

[Rnshar]

Hey, I am a new nurse that has been working for a month now. Although I truely love this profession, I feel lost at times. I was just wondering how long that feeling would last. I remember once someone telling me that it typically took about a year before you really felt confident. I was just wondering if every new nurse goes through this.

[Sanuk]

I'd be more worried if you felt confident a month out from school :). It's completely normal and it will go away.

[HeartRNHope]

Absolutely. Agree with above! If you are afraid/nervous it means you care. I have been a nurse 5 years and I still sometimes get that feeling. You will start to learn to trust your instincts and when you do start feeling comfortable and like you know everything maybe it's time to move on and try something new!

[abakrn819]

I have been working as a nurse on my own now for almost 6 months, and I still get nervous quite often about my decisions. I find that asking nurses around you, or your charge nurse, seems to be the best way to assure yourself that you are making the right decision, or keep yourself from making a bad one! Just remember, you are new, and no one expects you to be an expert nurse after one month! One of my charge nurses said "Always ask questions. When a new orient isn't asking me tons of questions, I am concerned!" Eventually you will feel comfortable with your ability to make good decisions on the job. But, the beauty of the medical field is it's always changing, so you are always learning! So down the road, there will be many times you run into something you haven't seen or don't know about! Confindence takes time, just don't let yourself get discouraged or feel like you are behind!! You are doing just fine :) And as those before said, you being nervous is a good sign! You want to be the best nurse possible!! And in time, you will believe in yourself!!

[tiroka03, LPN]

It's been almost 20 years for me. While I do feel very confident in my skills, there are always weird situations and new machines that come your way. Even after twenty years I sometimes question myself.

I sometimes think the longer you are a nurse, the more you know, the more things you can find to worry about.

I frequently tell new nurses who ask me repeatdly if they are doing something correctly - you made it through school, and passed the boards. You have been found confident to make decisions. Trust more in your own judgement.

That being said, if you truely have a question about a procedure or medicine ask it. Ask over and over again, until you have an answer that makes sense.

I am all for leaving work at work, yet on my drive home, I rethink my day, and try to find ways to improve. Yes, after so many years your more likely to find conplatency more of a problem than fear.

I think every day, we need to rethink our actions and find ways to improve, or decrease time spend. For instance if you find a way to save 1 min doing a procedure. Then every time you do it from then on. Then if you find another 20 - sec saved on another thing, you will eventually find you are saving a lot of time every day that other people spend because of lack of planning and evaulation of yourself.

I can't tell you how many times I find a 5 - 10 sec savings I implement, and even if it seems really tiny, it really does add up.

So, my advice is to be open to others suggestions, and to watch and observe when you have the chance. Listen to other nurses, you will catch on to how they manage their patients and time. Make sure you do so reading or computer time. And always look up things that have bothered you through out the day. Learning never stops. And of course this site is invaluable. Many times someone brings up a question, and I find myself thinking - I am curious to know what other nurses think. At times I have changed things because of this site, and other times I have found comfort in knowing my thinking matches a lot of others.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

hey, i am a new nurse that has been working for a month now. although i truely love this profession, i feel lost at times. i was just wondering how long that feeling would last. i remember once someone telling me that it typically took about a year before you really felt confident. i was just wondering if every new nurse goes through this.

no, not every new nurse goes through this. just the good ones. it's the ones who don't go through it that i'm worried about!

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

moved to our first year after nursing licensure forum...you will find kindred spirits here...

check out: hang in there new grads and new nurses it does get better..i promise..this is long

[Tofayelbd]

Nursing is not only a profession, it is also a great helpful to people. Who want to be a helpful to people, he is a perfect person for nursing profession.

[Rnshar]

Thanks everyone for your input, it really makes me feel a lot better!