Not excited to go to work as a new nurse...am I the only one?

TypicalFish · Jul 28, 2005

Dear Trish;

Give it time; I am 42, and also just completed my life-long goal of becoming an RN. It was extremely anti-climatic for me-I thought about graduation and NCLEX over and over, and when they happened, when I found out that I passed NCLEX first try in 75, I was like "Oh, well, that's pretty cool."-no tears of joy or anything. People kept saying "Aren't you thrilled?!!!" like I was supposed to break out in a happy-dance, or sob with joy. Sometimes, when you expect to be really thrilled about something, it is hard to have an experience that lives up to expectations, and think about it-in all your dreams of being a nurse, you were knowledgeable,cool calm and competent-not a nervous, fumbling newby (like we all are)-I would just give it time, and your enjoyment may grow as your expertise does. And remember, the great thing about nursing is that you can branch off almost anywhere-so if after awhile, you need a change, find one and take it. Congrats and best of luck.

let me know how it goes!

Bijou-Spice · Jul 28, 2005

Trish-- I am 45 and in the same situation you are---only I haven't started work yet! Moved my start date out a month because I started getting anxious! Now I have less than two weeks before I start in CCU, I have also had those same thoughts about being a newbie starting in critical care. Every night I go to bed I pray for a preceptor that is understanding, tolerant, and has patience to spare! Because I feel like I know nothing! Complete blank slate!

Anyway what has helped me (which may all change when I start working) has been reading all of the other threads under 1st year nursing, as well as others that seemed relevant to me. It really helps to see others are going through the same things. There are also some books for those starting out in nursing, these have been comforting also....again hopefully I will still feel this way when I start. Bottom line...we are going through a huge learning curve and next year this time you will be giving some other newbie your sage advise!

Good Luck and update us!

Pam

Chicklet2 · Jul 28, 2005

Hi, I'm sooooooo scared about getting a job as an LPN. I'm scared i'll do something wrong or wont get along with the staff or something. I'm only 19 and scared i'll be treated different for being so young. I have yet to find a job but am soo stressed that I wont find one and I wont have my instructors to go to...... any advice.

RN 2005 · Jul 28, 2005

Trish,

I am in EXACTLY the same position as you are! I could have written this post! We have worked so hard for this! No good advice to give to you........Just wanted to let you know that you are not alone in your feelings!

grinnurse, RN · Jul 28, 2005

Hi Trish-

Another old "newbie" here at 41 that also just fulfilled this dream of becoming an RN. I have been working now for 8 weeks on a MS floor at a small rural hosp and at first I was really scared, anxious, and all that too. I had orientation for 6 wks and then started on my own 2 wks ago. I will tell you this that each week I have felt a little bit better b/c I see my education in action and learn at least 1 thing new everyday. Usually it is so much more than just 1 thing. I have made mistakes (nothing serious-late meds), wrestled with the pumps, had a heck of a time figuring out how I want to do things, and learning timesavers. Each week it for the most part has gotten better. There are times still though that time management goes right out the window and I am treading water with all their is to do. Good thing is, I have some awesome senior nurses that are close at hand to answer my dumbest of questions.

What you are feeling is normal and we are all experincing it to some degree whether all admit it or not. You are going to be ok. Just remember to breathe and don't beat yourself b/c you are still new at this and the first year is the worst. I went with my gut starting on MS and am so glad that I did and also the hosp where I chose to work. There has only been one time that I ended up loosing it and crying and that was b/c they were going to take away the rest of my orientation at 3 weeks. Thank goodness they didn't and I have been ok.

I hope your precptor is great b/c that will make a big difference in your first year. Before we know it we will be the ones that people are asking advice on and we will be able to give them information w/ confidence. We all have to hang on tight and support each other here on the boards.

Good luck and keep in touch!!

Leaf · Jul 28, 2005

Hi All,
I need to know if I'm the only one that has this feeling. I"m a new nurse. I'm 46 years old so I'm an OLD new nurse. I am in the ER, probally not the best place for a newby to start. I thought I'd be excited to go to work each day. Some days I dont want to go, but once I get there I'm ok. Just feel very inefficient, dumb and all thumbs, will it ever get better? Have I just chosen the wrong place? Would I feel this way anywhere I went? I'm wondering if I made the right career choice. Pretty scary after achieving what was my life long dream...to be an RN!
Help!
Trish

i think youre just feeling cold deep inside when you werent excited to work as a new nurse. wadda ya think?

SusanJean · Jul 28, 2005

Hi Trish-
Another old "newbie" here at 41 that also just fulfilled this dream of becoming an RN. I have been working now for 8 weeks on a MS floor at a small rural hosp and at first I was really scared, anxious, and all that too. I had orientation for 6 wks and then started on my own 2 wks ago. I will tell you this that each week I have felt a little bit better b/c I see my education in action and learn at least 1 thing new everyday. Usually it is so much more than just 1 thing. I have made mistakes (nothing serious-late meds), wrestled with the pumps, had a heck of a time figuring out how I want to do things, and learning timesavers. Each week it for the most part has gotten better. There are times still though that time management goes right out the window and I am treading water with all their is to do. Good thing is, I have some awesome senior nurses that are close at hand to answer my dumbest of questions.
What you are feeling is normal and we are all experincing it to some degree whether all admit it or not. You are going to be ok. Just remember to breathe and don't beat yourself b/c you are still new at this and the first year is the worst. I went with my gut starting on MS and am so glad that I did and also the hosp where I chose to work. There has only been one time that I ended up loosing it and crying and that was b/c they were going to take away the rest of my orientation at 3 weeks. Thank goodness they didn't and I have been ok.
I hope your precptor is great b/c that will make a big difference in your first year. Before we know it we will be the ones that people are asking advice on and we will be able to give them information w/ confidence. We all have to hang on tight and support each other here on the boards.
Good luck and keep in touch!!

Very encouraging, esp for a student to read. Thanks!!

SJ

NorthER,RN · Jul 28, 2005

Hi Trish,

I believe that your age and your calmness will actually help you to become a fine ER nurse. I graduated when I was 45, and have trained and worked in a lot of areas since then (I'm now 50). I now work ER and I find that my calm manner helps people, both those that I work with and those that I care for, to also take a deep breath and just deal with the situation. Because of what you have experienced in your life you may find that you have a bit more compassion and understanding for those around you - it may not show up right away as you deal with the stresses of the new job, but your patients will see it.

Please don't let those nurses who graduated 20 years ago scare you - sure they've seen a lot, but you are there because as an adult you made up your mind to work hard and get there. Your knowledge is current, and you will likely be more interested in increasing your knowledge by reading journals and asking questions. No one expects you to know everything. And remember, most of what shows up in ER is not an actual emergent problem - and any of the really exciting stuff will be taken over by the more experienced nurses. Just watch and learn - take courses such as ENPC, PALS, ACLS, TNCC as they happen, and enjoy.

All the very best,

Rae

PaSsIoN_4_NuRsInG · Jul 28, 2005

Hi, I'm sooooooo scared about getting a job as an LPN. I'm scared i'll do something wrong or wont get along with the staff or something. I'm only 19 and scared i'll be treated different for being so young. I have yet to find a job but am soo stressed that I wont find one and I wont have my instructors to go to...... any advice.

Hey I started working as a CNA when I was 17 and got treated differently because of it. I think they thought because I was young I didnt know what I was doing and they could boss me around. I am 21 going for my RN and hope it changes when I get it.

Bijou-Spice · Jul 28, 2005

NorthER,RN]

.....I hope my preceptor has your qualities!!

NorthER,RN · Jul 28, 2005

Thank you Bijou - you are too kind. I had the worst preceptor in the world - she asked for a student nurse to precept because "the work was too much for one person alone". She yelled at patients (this was on a spinal cord trauma ward) and was not very nice at all. Remember, there is always something to learn - even if it is how not to do something. Now I try to encourage all of those around me - some find it strange, but I know that we all have our challenges in life.

I believe that you nursing students and first year grads are so strong just to have come this far. You know and do as much as family doctors did in the 60's. You may cry when you get home. You may rage at the cruelty of the world. But in the place that you work, you make a terrific difference, just by being calm and human. Any kindness and compassion that you have for those who are in your care will blossom.

What I love about these forums is that we all come here to know that we are not alone in the struggle to provide compassionate, competent care.

Rae