#NursingStudentStruggles

[Ginger_22]

What do you feel was the biggest challenge starting out as a new graduate nurse and what or how did you overcome it?

[_littlemissBSN, BSN, RN]

The feelings of anxiety, incompetence, and insecurity being a fresh new nurse. During my first few weeks in my first job, I feel like everything I learned from nursing school magically disappeared and that I didn't know how to be a nurse. There were times when I wish I could turn back times and paid more attention to what my nursing instructors have taught me during clinicals. Now that I'm in my third month on my own, I still feel all of those, just to a lesser degree.

If you are still in school, pay attention to what your instructors are teaching you. Be assertive and grab the chance to do a skill (IV starts, foley insertion, etc) even before your instructor asks you to. Don't be afraid to ask questions. The clinicals are where you learn the most in nursing school and don't take them for granted.