New RN...New Job...Nervous

[metfan]

I got my dream job at a hospital right (literally) across the street from me. The pay is great and I love the hospital but I am so nervous. I start tomorrow with orientation. Actually, it is mostly HR paperwork. I go from being really excited to being really nervous. I know it is typical to feel this way. I am going to work on a med surg floor. I had a really hard time with school clinicals because the teachers were always 'on' me about something. I tend to have anxiety issues and take things way too personally. I just don't know what to expect and that makes me nervous. Any advice? What can I expect with orientation? I guess I will be set up with a preceptor for about a month. Does this sound typical? Thanks. Metfan

[JoyfulRN14, BSN, RN]

I'm in the same situation you're in right now. Just got hired and I start the 26th with a 17 week orientation. It's my dream job - love the hospital, great pay, etc. but I definitely am alternating between very excited and very very nervous. What I keep telling myself is that EVERYONE starts this way. Those nurses who we respect so much who have several years of experience and really know their stuff, they were in our exact positions.

I would love to be able to fast forward into the future about a year so I would feel like a competent nurse.

This is a quote I've been reading every few days when I get nervous:

"One of the things I learned the hard way was that it doesn't pay to get discouraged. Keeping busy and making optimism a way of life can restore your faith in yourself."-Lucille Ball

Just work hard and study outside of work, and we'll both do great! :)

And congrats on getting your dream job!!! :yeah:How did your first day go?

[criticalRN10]

Go read the previous thread called "I hate nursing..." it's really inspiring. I can't wait to graduate as a BSN RN in May. Thanks allnurses.com.

[caliotter3]

Good luck with your new job! And remember, just because you live across the street doesn't mean you can get up too late and then be late for work. Congrats!

[giftedRN]

Congrats on getting your dream job! I am still "kissing ass" to get a job...It is so hard to get a job. ***sighs**

[alexop]

I also got a great job after months of interviews (I feel so lucky), but I am getting very nervous! I start in August with a 1 week orientation to the hospital, 3 month orientation to the unit with a preceptor, and a year long new grad residency through the hospital. I hope all of this extra support will help me during my first year. My job is on a tele/PCU floor, so they get very complex patients with a wide variety of diseases (literally everything). My biggest worry is that I won't know anything due to the wide patient population. So much to learn! AHH!

[Bionic Woman]

I just graduated, got a job on a renal/med/surge floor, and will be finishing a six week orientation in two weeks. I wish orientation was longer. There is so much to learn as a new grad and so many situations that I experience on the floor that I did not experience in nursing school. It has been stressful taking care of 5-6 patients (and their FAMILIES---who are sometimes more demanding than the patients!). A lot of times the patients/families are in their own private room and they don't realize that you are taking care of five more patients who may be more critical than them. Some think that they are the #1 patient. I have learned not to show my frustration and to just do the best that I can.