Normal to feel so stupid?

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I've been on orientation for three weeks, and I still feel so completely inept, slow, and stupid. I feel fairly comfortable with 2-3 patients, but have made a couple of mistakes; nothing that's killed anyone, thank goodness, just made me feel like even more of an idiot. :cool: Just curious if this sounds like par for the course at this point.... :coollook:

Specializes in Trauma/MedSurg.

hey! I FEEL THE SAME WAY! I'm done with my fourth week and some days I feel super confident but then go home, and start worrying about the next day. Real life nursing is so different than clinicals so naturally, this is supposed to be a bit of a reality shock to us. Stay strong and just give yourself time...I have to remind myself to do the same :)

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

yup. sounds like par for the course. when you don't feel stupid and slow, it's time to worry because surely you must be missing something.

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Specializes in Emergency.

Yep, agree with all above. It gets better. You'll get faster or rather more efficient. And there's always something new to learn.

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Specializes in med-surg,ortho,oncology,teaching.

It will still take some time for you to become confident in your new position. Anytime I have changed positions or jobs it takes me a little while to feel comfortable with what I am doing. I changed positions about 3 years ago and it took me several months to feel comfortable. Not only with what I am doing but with the people that I work with. I had actually already worked with two of them and still it took me time. Don't be too hard on yourself. Good luck to you.

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Specializes in CVICU, ER.
I transferred to the ED, not a new nurse, just a new ED nurse. It's a different world from the floor! But I still feel like I should be getting it faster, since I'm not totally green as a nurse.

Hey, I've been in the ED 3 days now, transferred from the ICU, I'm really having a hard time. The staff acted like

"you've been in the ICU, you should pick this up right away". All those patients everywhere, it's really overwhelming...you don't know where to start! And then the sick babies come in and start screaming, and take your anxiety level through the roof. I got the Sheehy Emergency Nursing book and a Nursing Procedures book, and I'm taking a ENPC (pediatrics) course next month, reading as much as I can.

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Specializes in Medical.

it's a really steep learning curve. The problem is that, for the most part we don't remember learning things, so all the stuff you already know you take for granted and the stuff that's new keeps hitting you in the face. It really will get better :)

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trust me EVERYONE goes through those feelings! i was an LPN in a nursing home for 2 years, then after getting my RN started in a ER... felt totally clueless. so don't feel bad at all, you'll get better!

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Specializes in ED.

On my first day, in August, I had a nurse tell me, "Whatever u do, dont quit.". I tell myself everyday, " I wont quit, I wont quit, I wont quit...........with the promise that it has to get better........BUT When Lord when.................

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Specializes in ED.
It will still take some time for you to become confident in your new position. Anytime I have changed positions or jobs it takes me a little while to feel comfortable with what I am doing. I changed positions about 3 years ago and it took me several months to feel comfortable. Not only with what I am doing but with the people that I work with. I had actually already worked with two of them and still it took me time. Don't be too hard on yourself. Good luck to you.

This is soo helpful...............Thanks a million

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Specializes in ED only.

It will get better but it will probably take at least 6 months before you feel comfortable. Just keep plugging away day by day and DON'T QUIT. Eventually, it WILL get better. The rewards will finally come once you're settled in.

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Specializes in ER, L&D, RR, Rural nursing.

In a nut shell, yes....but having said that this is just an opportunity for you to learn. You will feel less "stupid" as time goes on but it will get better. Every time I changed jobs, or got added responsibility I felt as though I didn't have a clue. I'll echo some other wise people here... if you didn't feel this way you should be concerned. There is always some way we can improve, if we don't think so, it's time for another job cause you will miss something.

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Specializes in Trauma/MedSurg.

ICU and ER may seem similar but I don't know how they can expect you do just know everything because they really are different. In the ICU at my hospital the nurses only get one patient, when my friend moved to a med/surg floor she didn't think she could do it because she had 5 patients and sometimes 6!!

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