One Year.... and I am still miserable

Nurses General Nursing

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It's been one year and I am just as unsure of myself as I was in the beginning. I think I have made a mistake becoming a nurse. I love helping people, but I feel like I am not smart enough, no good enough, not fast enough. And the thought of losing my license paralyzes me with fear every day, even when I am not at work. And it doesn't help when you hear stories of others losing their licenses because they forgot to document something. I gave report the other night and the nurse actually said to me " I could report you to the Board of Nursing if I wanted to if I thought you weren't competent." I don't think I can live like this, in fear all the time. I need a job where I can support my family without fear. What else can I do?:crying2:

Specializes in Medical Surgical Orthopedic.
It's been one year and I am just as unsure of myself as I was in the beginning. I think I have made a mistake becoming a nurse. I love helping people, but I feel like I am not smart enough, no good enough, not fast enough. And the thought of losing my license paralyzes me with fear every day, even when I am not at work. And it doesn't help when you hear stories of others losing their licenses because they forgot to document something. I gave report the other night and the nurse actually said to me " I could report you to the Board of Nursing if I wanted to if I thought you weren't competent." I don't think I can live like this, in fear all the time. I need a job where I can support my family without fear. What else can I do?:crying2:

Wow...she sounds lovely. Unfortunately, I'm finding out that there are a LOT of "them" out there.

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Specializes in home health, dialysis, others.

In over 30 years, no one EVER said anything like that to me, even when my mistake was an awful one. I have been fired more than once, usually because I spoke my mind and someone higher up didn't like it. People who say these things without any real reason are usually having some issues that they cannot deal with. And in most instances, your errors would have to be either multiple or causing great harm.

This person is creating a hostile work environment, and is far more likely to get fired than you are.

Take a few deep, cleansing breaths, and try to relax.

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Specializes in critical care, end-of-life, OR.

I think your biggest problem is all the negative messages you are sending yourself. You need to quiet these inner voices immediately, or they will do you in. You are obviously qualified. The standards are incredibly rigorous, and you passed. STAY AWAY from people who are competitive or unkind. They are nothing to you. You sound like a sensitive person. Don't waste your sensitivity and talent. You can solve this confidence problem. It is really a psychological crisis you are dealing with, not an issue of incompetence. Starting NOW, replace the recording in your brain to a positive self-affirming message. "I am a good nurse. I am a good person. I am learning. I am improving everyday." For example. Gravitate towards supportive co-workers and anyone else, avoid them like they are poison. Take control. Anyone strong enough to get where you are, can get beyond a stage of self-doubt. The changes I've suggested are concrete. Start practicing them tomorrow.

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I'm sorry you feel this way. Don't run away from nursing just yet- the root problem that I see now is your work environment is not conducive for you.

That and probably the practises there may not be the best. Don't give up on yourself just yet... it's not over till its over.

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Specializes in Pediatric.

I can't believe someone treated you like this, but don't just take it! Why not tell your unit supervisor or even DNS what was said? Or am I too naiive and would that make it worse? I would have AT LEAST said something back to this person- how about "OK, go right ahead and see where it gets you!!!"

Good luck !!! Hugs! :(

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Your life is going to move in the direction of your most dominant thougts. Like the poster above mentioned, you need to quite these inner voices. Start seeing yourself exceling and thriving in this field.

You passed nursing school and you past your boards. You have been in the field for 1 year. All of that undoubtedly means you are qualified. Stop dwelling on negative thoughts and scenerios. Sooner or later you will gravitate towards or attract such occurences.

In regards to the nurse who stated she could write you up and have you before the board of nursing, ummmmmm...WHAAAAAAAAAT?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? Who would make an assinine comment like that. Are you serouis?!?!?!?!?!?!

I'm not sure if being a guy makes me clueless but it wasn't until I got into nursing that I encountered such hostile, juvenile and catty attitudes.

But whatever you do, quiet the thoughts and voices of defeat and despair by constantly seeing yourself succeeding. As soon as a thought of failure, of mistakes or misfortune enters your mind, immediately replace it with a thought of success.

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Specializes in Pediatric, oncology, hospice.

I was stressed out for at least the first year and a half. Everybody adjusts at a different speed. We all have days where we wish we had chosen another profession, especially if we don't have a good support network at work. If you are in the job you really want to be in,stick it out. Seek out a mentor at your facility, join a committee, participate. It can be had to give more than you already do at work, but then people will see you as invested in your job and be more willing to help you on those rough days. If this isn't where you want to be anyway, transfer if you can to another floor. Many new nurses take the job available to them, and if it's not what you wanted it's even harder to become a proficient nurse.

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