Why Is It That Everyone Thinks They're A Good Nurse?

[Ruby Vee]

i don't get it. people write about the horrible mistakes they've made that got them fired from work or suspended, and then they'll go on to say that they know they're a good nurse anyway because they try so hard. maybe the evidence shows that they're not a good nurse yet . . . but if they keep trying hard they will be some day?

or the nurse who writes that she's on her fourth job since graduation 16 months ago, and she hasn't found her "nitch" yet . . . and someone tells her to hold her head up because they know she's a great nurse. really? how could you possibly know that -- especially with the evidence provided that the poster has been through three jobs and is failing her fourth?

then there are the special nurses who know they're great nurses despite their many problems at work because they have a calling. or because they're compassionate. sorry -- that's not all it takes to be a great -- or even an adequate nurse.

what ever happened to striving to be a good nurse but knowing you're not there yet? knowing you need a bit more experience to be a great nurse but you're trying hard? how come everyone these days is a good nurse the moment they graduate?

[MomRN0913]

Hmmmmm..... I never thought I was a "good" nurse. I guess I always thought I was adequate. Then my coworkers started telling me I was a good nurse, some doctors too. I got good reviews, flew under the radar...... actually never got reprimanded at the bedside.

But I did make some mistakes, which I thought there was no way I deserve to be called a good nurse. Took me a long time to realize the nurses i thought that were good made mistakes too.

I am better at certain aspects of nursing.

I think some nurses like to call themselves "excellent" or "good" nurses is because they feel they re not worthy of taking care of their patients if they don't fall in tot his category. It's a huge responsibility.

I think the good nurses are the ones who know they are decent, and don't feel the need to advertise it.

[MomRN0913]

Oh, and I am not good at nursing management. I learned that the hard way. Some parts, maybe, I am good with dealing with families. Other than that, I kind of s uck at the take charge thing. We all have our weaknesses and strengths in our nursing careers.

[chevyv, BSN, RN]

I really hope there's a happy medium between being over-confident in your nursing abilities and laying awake at night (er - day - I work nights) obsessing over everything that you might have or could have done wrong. Or better. Or mischarted. Or missed.

Because this chronic "I'm not doing good enough" is starting to wear me down.

I too feel the exact same way! When I first started, I felt so overwhelmed, then I went through a period of 'I got this, it's actually pretty easy', now I'm in a place where I too lie awake wondering what I forgot to do, chart, pass on in report etc...I also sit and wonder how I could have better handled a situation. Boy, this nurse is far from being a great nurse!

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

the other good thing was meeting

and dating that gorgous young south american surgeon. :yelclap:

when i became a good nurse, i think, was after i became a psych nurse. it all just seemed to fall right into place somehow.

not because it was any easier, because it wasn't. just completely different. i had a heckuva lot to learn in psych too, but it seemed

to come with effort and not labored over endlessly as i'd had to do in orthopedics.

you found your niche . . . (aka "nitch").

(this is the first i've heard of that gorgeous surgeon sharpeimom - :redbeathe )

this is a good thread ruby - i'm enjoying reading everyone's posts.

[redhead_NURSE98!, ADN, BSN]

Wipe the first drop? Never heard that one in my entire nursing program and never saw anyone do that at work. Was only taught to wipe the area w an alcohol swab and let it dry before testing.

Some people if you wiped the first drop you would never get enough for a second drop!

[redhead_NURSE98!, ADN, BSN]

If I read one more post about this "generation of ME ME ME/entitlement" ****, I think I'm going to throw up.

Sometimes the truth hurts!

[TakeTwoAspirin, MSN, RN, APRN]

It's the same mentality as the people who say they can drive in snow, it's just "everyone else" that they worry about! I have never, ever, heard anyone say they suck at driving in snow and it's only the skill and talent of other drivers in bad weather that prevents accidents.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

Some people aren't honest with themselves. If you can believe your own fabrication, perhaps it's true? I'm not sure.

[OnlybyHisgraceRN, ASN, RN]

Sometimes the truth hurts!

Actually it is the generalizations that hurt. I worked hard for everything I have by the grace of God.

I started college at 16 years old and didn't receive one penny from my parents ( they couldn't afford to pay for my education).

I moved out at 18 years old and supported MYSELF, and never asked for a hand out or a break. I know what is like to struggle. I worked full time through the most of LPN and RN school. Now at 23 I'm proud to say I'm a RN. I don't have a sense of entitlement. No one owes me anything. The only way to move up in this world is through hard work and dedication. Yes some of my generation are spoiled little brats, I get that and not oblivious to this. However, It does bother me when generalizations are made.

[redhead_NURSE98!, ADN, BSN]

Why would it bother you? It apparently gives you an opportunity to show everyone how unique your situation is. Lord knows it ain't that common.

[BetterMeRN]

To cut to the chase. We are all good nurses until we make that first mistake that gets noticed. I say noticed because many, many mistakes go unnoticed. Consider yourself a good nurse....for now.

[VICEDRN, BSN, RN]

The only thing more ridiculous are the old school nurses that post almost 100% of their posts about how badly the younger generation of nurses suck ***.

lol. I was just thinking as I was reading this thread that the only thing more ridiculous than people who don't realize how they are struggling in the beginning is how people cling like desperate grasshoppers to blades of grass in the hurricane to their "experience" as a nurse.

The only thing I have seen "experience" bring anyone is years and years of bad habits and misguided thoughts.

For the record, measures of nursing performance suggest that I acquire nursing skills a little faster than the norm but I am lot more focused on mastering softer unmeasurable stuff, like keeping all the family members straight and happy. lol