Overwhelming

KatieBell · Nov 14, 2005

Just remember to use your resources- preceptors and things like PDA/Drug books/and Cont. Ed classes offerred by your hospital. You won't be on yur own for a while!

Best Wishes. And I'll really put in a plug for those CE classes offerred, the last thing you want to do is to go to more class- but, you get an opportunity to learn a focused skill- and meet some different people, off the unit.

Congratulations on your upcoming graduation

Larry77, RN · Nov 14, 2005

Just remember you will still be a "new grad" with lots to learn. I expected to know everything upon graduation...guess what...I'm still learning every day...he he. It is exciting but scary when you can actually call yourself an LPN/RN...CONGRATS!!!!

Tweety, BSN, RN · Nov 14, 2005

We all feel like that when we hit the floor. Sometimes I still feel like that. I still look up drugs, still go online to look up information, still feel like it's such an overwhelming responsibility and that I don't know anything. But I have much more confidence than I did at first. Good luck.

HappyJaxRN · Nov 14, 2005

I will graduate in 32 days Whoo Hoo!!!! BUT..... I swear sometimes I am on the floor and I can't help just feeling scared out of my mind. Sometimes I thing I don't know ANYTHING, and I will surely kill someone if I get on the floor on my own.
Did anyone else feel like this, or should I re-apply and go through it all again??? (just kidding there's NO WAY!)

I felt like this too. If you have a good preceptor & you're on a good floor, he/she shouldn't feed you to the wolves. I had a great preceptor. He was understanding and very helpful. When you're out on your own, the more experienced nurses are VERY VERY helpful. When I was new, they gave me light assignments...for say about....1 week...and then they gradually gave me more critical patients. Don't psyche yourself out. I was scared too. You're feelings are completely normal....At least you're not diving in head first with too much confidence. That's dangerous! You'll be fine. Good luck!

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Nov 14, 2005

Hi, Vlynn! I felt like you every day of my life as a nursing student and for probably a couple years as an RN until I got more experience and confidence. My biggest fear was that I would accidentally kill someone. I think that is a pretty universal fear among nursing students and new grads. I was talking with my neice recently who is in a radiologic technology program and she told me she fears the same thing! I think this fear keeps us from rushing ahead with treatments and procedures. It makes us stop and think about the consequences of what we are about to do to a patient--and that is a good thing (sorry, Martha Stewart). When we make a mistake we feel horrid, but we also go over and over where we went wrong in our mind which makes us do it better the next time and that is how you improve.

NurseNicoleRN · Nov 14, 2005

dont worry sometimes youll have good days and bad days.....i had a great preceptor and yes i still made mistakes but ive been on my own for 2 weeks coming up on my third and ive been ok but i still learn every day and so will you just take one shift at a time and you'll be great

grinnurse, RN · Nov 15, 2005

I will graduate in 32 days Whoo Hoo!!!! BUT..... I swear sometimes I am on the floor and I can't help just feeling scared out of my mind. Sometimes I thing I don't know ANYTHING, and I will surely kill someone if I get on the floor on my own.
Did anyone else feel like this, or should I re-apply and go through it all again??? (just kidding there's NO WAY!)

Congrats on almost being done with school. That is such a wonderful accomplishment!!!:balloons: :balloons: I have been on my own for about 4.5 mos and I am still scared sometimes. I think that Daytonite said it best. Each day you will learn more and feel better and as long as you learn from your mistakes you're gonna make it!! Good luck!!

selene07sparkle · Nov 15, 2005

Hopefully I'll graduate... nursing is just a four-year coorifice... hopefully I continue to survive... :confused: :chair:

Elvis 1 · Nov 15, 2005

I won't graduate till May 06 but I still feel that way all the time. I forget things and just feel like I am on freak out mode. But all my teachers seem to think I do ok even though I think I'm always screwing it up. I also have the killing somebody fear, it's good to know that you aren't alone in your fears. This has been a great forum for me to read others postings and know that I am not the only student nurse or new grad. that feels like they're going crazy. Don't worry you'll be fine. I think we all will.

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Nov 15, 2005

Congrats on your upcoming graduation!

pie123 · Nov 16, 2005

I will graduate in 32 days Whoo Hoo!!!! BUT..... I swear sometimes I am on the floor and I can't help just feeling scared out of my mind. Sometimes I thing I don't know ANYTHING, and I will surely kill someone if I get on the floor on my own.
Did anyone else feel like this, or should I re-apply and go through it all again??? (just kidding there's NO WAY!)

Oh man, I'm on orientation for the 3rd of 13 weeks. I am taking the full patient load (4), which I am pleased with, but I get so mad at myself, and embarrassed when I miss things. I just keep wondering (aloud sometimes) when/if I will EVER understand all of the goings-on. Do things ever sink in? I mean realistically I know they do, but I sure hate being new. When does the Critical Thinking come? Or is it one of those things that either you have or you don't? If that's the case, I'm in trouble. I just don't want to be one of the nurses that other nurses talk about, or that no one wants to follow. I have heard stories about a nurse who would have so many IV antibiotics to hang, but she would be behind with them because her main priority was to bathe her patients. I mean I could figure that one out, but there are sometimes where I feel like my prioritizing is lacking. I'm going to bed now. Thanks for letting me vent.