Newly qualified & feeling like I'm struggling with the basics?... E.g. A&P, etc.?

[jellybean_22]

Hey,

I qualified last Autumn & I got a job on critical care, which has been an interesting experience, stressful... But rewarding at the same time :). I've been on there for nearly 3 months now & I'm struggling/finding it hard, to deal with the basics... & I feel bad about it. I feel OK with basics like personal hygiene, assessment's, etc but the A&P is probably the topic I'm struggling with the most. I feel bad about it, because I should at least remember/understand the basics? But since finishing, it all seems to have gone out of my head .

When I go home from work, or when I have time off... I'm revising/learning stuff again, did anyone else feel like that? & Does anyone have any tips please?

Sorry about the mini rant ^^;;.

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

this is common... you studied your buns off in nursing school and studied your buns off to pass your nclex, but as a nurse you draw blanks on simple information. in order to improve my memory related to a&p as a brand spanking new nurse, i started the habit of studying on my breaks and my days off. in fact, i brought a few of my former nursing textbooks to work and placed them in my locker so i could have a reference readily available when i had a break. i also had a few references on my pda. overtime, i did not have to rely on my nursing school references as much and have moved on to more advanced books and training. however, from time to time i do refer back to them when i find myself at a loss for words when a patient asks me a specific question related to their disease process.

[fiveofpeep]

Its definitely normal and very responsible of you to be actively learning at home instead of just going with the flow.