New RN

edsh2001 · Jul 20, 2008

It's way to soon not to be terrified. It will get better, but real life nursing is a lot different from nursing school, and it can take quite a while (months to a year to begin to feel comfortable.) Hang in there.

kelkel68 · Jul 20, 2008

I just don't like feeling like an idiot sometimes, and i don't want to miss something on someone that could be critical.

elprup, BSN, RN · Jul 20, 2008

I am feeling the exact same way and I do not even have a job yet! Just like you I worked my butt off these last 6.5 years to get my BSN while being a single mom and trying to keep it all together. Nursing school was difficult but nothing that could not be done and I was not even terrified of the NCLEX....but now feel terrified applying and getting that job! Very wierd!

I am very proud of you, you have the job and are doing it!

We can do this!

JB2007, ASN, RN · Jul 20, 2008

I felt the way you are feeling a lot of the time until very recently. I still do feel that way at times. I have been a nurse for a little over a year myself, so this feeling will not disappear over night. At least it did not for me.

Nursing school just gives you the basics of several areas of nursing. My advise to you would be, ask questions when you do not know something. Remember it is ok to not know all the anwsers (nobody knows everything). All the nurses that you are working with should expect you to ask a lot of questions. This is the time that you will be sharpening the skills that you learned in nursing school.

Most of all, be good to yourself. This is a very demanding and stressful profession that you just started and it is easy to put your presonal needs (relaxation, sleep, healthy eating habits) on the back burner. There will be days when you feel that every single person demanding more than you can give, but do not let that feeling over take you. Do something good for yourself on those days. Even if it is something simple like a nice bubble bath.

On a happy note, there will be moments that will make it all worth the stress and demands of all the other days. Someone will smile and give a sincere thank you or a family member will thank you for making there loved one comfortable in the last days of there life. You will find your special moments that makes it all worth it to you.

Lastly, find a good support person. They will be your strength and ears through this first year of nursing. Good Luck with everything!!

HM2VikingRN, RN · Jul 20, 2008

The intern program is a very good thing. My experience in the program so far has been that this means they intend to invest significant money and time training me to be a good nurse. Another way of looking at it is that the hospital wants you to form a very long term relationship with the organization.

Do you have a competency checklist? If you use that it will help you stay centered. Use it as a tool to stay focused on professional development.

Best of luck!

BradleyRN · Jul 20, 2008

This is a job that you never stop learning at. It would be a problem if you werent afraid. Lean on your fellow nurses, follow your instincts, and dont hesitate to call the doctors anytime you deem necessary. You are a single unit in a system of many caring for the patient. You will never be alone.:nuke:

kelkel68 · Jul 20, 2008

I am feeling the exact same way and I do not even have a job yet! Just like you I worked my butt off these last 6.5 years to get my BSN while being a single mom and trying to keep it all together. Nursing school was difficult but nothing that could not be done and I was not even terrified of the NCLEX....but now feel terrified applying and getting that job! Very wierd!
I am very proud of you, you have the job and are doing it!
We can do this!

Your right...we can do this and it helps to know there are others in the same boat. Thank you for your reply. Hope we can stay in touch and help each other out. I will try to get on here every few days with an update.

Kelly