Passed the NCLEX, but I feel like I need to go back to nursing school.

Nurse Alexa, MSN, RN · Feb 15, 2023

I think you should use You Tube materials and your textbooks to go over weak points in your practice. Talk with other classmates and converse about nursing topics and also how they feel about starting a new job.

It is also helpful to apply for a residency program as a new grad. Most of them last from 6-9months and you get great experience and extra education. Most specialities have a residency program besides M/S.

hope that helps! ?

uniteddemclub, BSN, RN · Feb 15, 2023

Ame_0818 said:

I passed the NCLEX. I went in totally expecting to fail, but I passed. I should be happy but I am honestly terrified. I graduated nursing school with most of my clinicals being online or in SIM because of the pandemic and I totally do not feel prepared to be an actual nurse. I went to take my ACLS and PALS the other day and when they asked me questions that I should know I just drew a blank. I really want to be a good nurse and be able to provide the best care that patients deserve, but I just feel downright incompetent. I do have New Grad program interviews lined up but my confidence is at an all-time low. I honestly feel like I learned nothing from nursing school. At this point I am just looking for insight. What should I do? Should I study more or should I just give up?

You've already studied enough if you've been through nursing school and NCLEX. At this point studying more won't do you much good. I didn't learn a thing from nursing school. It isn't just a feeling I have. I know I didn't learn. I'm now a nurse at 2 SNFs and it's been working out because most of what I do is med pass and charting. I also do treatments and that isn't too hard. You don't have to be very skilled or have a lot of technical knowledge to do some nursing jobs. I probably wouldn't last if I were working in a more intensive care setting unless I had more training, but that's what residency is for.

NutmeggeRN, BSN · Feb 17, 2023

uniteddemclub said:

I didn't learn a thing from nursing school. It isn't just a feeling I have. I know I didn't learn.

Wow....

kbrn2002, ADN, RN · Feb 19, 2023

You passed NCLEX so congratulations! That means the state that granted you that license determined that you meet or exceed the standard necessary to practice as at the least a minimally competent entry level nurse.

You aren't expected to be proficient in your practice at this point in your career, just minimally competent. As a matter of fact you can and probably should expect to feel like you know nothing for at least your first year. Possibly longer depending on what type of practice you enter, some specialized areas of practice could take much longer than a year before you start to feel even somewhat competent. Your skills and knowledge will grow as you progress in your new role as a nurse.

marienm, RN, CCRN · Feb 19, 2023

Honestly, taking ACLS and PALS before doing any patient care was probably a mistake. You need to have some actual patient experience to correlate with the material in these classes. SO, don't be discouraged by those classes because you probably weren't ready for them. Focus on finding a residency program (at a Magnet hospital if possible), and come in ready to listen and learn. Nursing school and the NCLEX are the background steps you need to complete to begin your career, but they're only the beginning.

For reference, I work with some excellent newer nurses who had the same clinical experience you did. You won't be alone. You'll have to work hard, but don't give up yet!

londonflo · Feb 19, 2023

Ame_0818 said:

I graduated nursing school with most of my clinicals being online or in SIM because of the pandemic

How long can graduates rely on this excuse for being unsure of themselves for NCLEX, Jobs etc. Your college would have adapted themselves. Covid was 2020 and into 2021. If you are still unsure of how you college met your graduate objectives, contact them. They have your back.

KCB83JE · Feb 21, 2023

My experience was very similar to this. I passed the NCLEX in 2014 and I was actually shocked because I just knew I didn't. I felt so unready but I went for it anyway. My first job after school was at a Rehab Nursing Facility where I could sometimes have as many as 30 patients. There were days I would spend my lunch break crying in my car. I even felt like I hated nursing sometimes. Over time I realized that school was just a basis. They give you the basic things you need to know. It is hard at first but once you can learn to apply what you have learned and add to your knowledge as you go you will be fine. I feel that the actual work of nursing taught me way more that school to me and even made what I read and studied in my books come alive. I am a very visual person so once I have it right in front of me it makes a lot more sense. One of my teachers from school told me when I contacted him to vent about my stress to "Keep Calm and Nurse On". Realest words he could have ever said. I have been a nurse for a while now and I am here to tell you that it gets better. You will sharpen the skills you learned in school and you will learn how to navigate. Nurse On!! And congratulations on passing your NCLEX!

2BS Nurse, BSN · Feb 22, 2023

It's normal to be feeling the way you're feeling! Expect to cry after some of your shifts. You will gain more confidence as you go. Read about Dr. Patricia Benner's Novice to Expert theory.