Old Grad

So I'm far from a new grad anymore. I passed my boards in March of 2009. I have worked some temporary jobs as an RN but finally got my first hospital position on a med/surg floor which I started in April. Today will start my 6th week of floor orientation. I'm sure you have heard this story before but I feel terribly anxious before I go into work, some days more than others. Today being one of those days. I have to be able to take care of 8 patients before I come off training. Since only 2 nurses and 1 aide work the night shift, the most patients i will have is 8 (Days and evenings both have 3 nurses and 2 aides...when staffing is adequate) I am working the night shift 11pm-7:30am, which in itself is an adjustment. I have gotten positive feedback from my preceptor and my nurse manager, but I still feel like I'm struggling. I think I'm putting a lot of pressure on myself, but I just want to be a good nurse. I've always wanted to a be nurse and while the road to getting here hasn't be easy, in my heart I know this is what I was meant to do. Lately I haven't been feeling that way but I know it's because I'm learning so much and trying to get a handle on things. On top of that I moved away from my family and friends to accept this job, so I've been super emotional because of that also. For any experience nurses out there who happen to work 8-hour shifts, how do you prioritize your night/day.

Any thoughts? advice? tips? would be greatly appreciated. I must say allnurses has truly been a blessing to me. I'm probably on here at least twice a week and lately it has been more than that. Well I'm off to try to be productive before I have to work tonight. I think I'm done venting for today