Please tell me other new grads were completly overwhelmed

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On their first day of work! I just did my first day on the floor with my preceptor at my new job, and I felt sooo overwhelmed. I have so so so much more to learn and I just feel so lost. I know this is somewhat normal, b/c I've felt overwhelmed on my first day at most every job I've ever had (this is not my first career), but people's lives were never on the line. How long did it take you to feel comfortable in your first nursing job?

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.

I haven't had my first nursing job yet, hopefully very soon. But I would imagine this is absolutely normal. It's a scary transition. I remember just on orientation for my first day of med/surg clinicals (first time in the hospital) I went home and felt completely overwhelmed I wondered if nursing was for me, I wondered how I would possibly be able to do all we needed to do by the end of clinical, I felt like I was in no way smart enough to do this. (and I was very confident about nursing and am a people person and did fine in nursing home clinicals although I didn't enjoy it) but it was just so over whelming.

It all went fine and I picked up quick and I excelled in them.

You're on your own now "although yes you have a preceptor" but you are working under your own license now, you aren't a baby nurse anymore. You can't go ask the nurse, you are the nurse. I would question if you weren't a little nervous or overwhelmed. You are not alone. These boards are full of posts just like yours. Congratulations on transitioning from baby nurse to teenage nurse!!!!

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Specializes in CVICU/ER.

MJ,

It is so normal to be overwhelmed it's silly. I was a tech for a number of years in a hospital. Was a tech in ER, ICU and PACU along with OR so it's not like I wasn't familiar with the environment. When I graduated last year I immediately got hired in at an MICU Level 1 facility. I was very fortunate and I understand how fortunate I am to get a job.

So I am a new nurse last year and I didn't know anything. They taught me from the ground up. Learning how to prioritize and manage care is a big thing because we only get 2 patients, but they are usually really really sick patients. I didn't know much about the lines that were used. I didn't know how things were done, how to talk to staff and doctors, who to call with each situation, what paperwork to fill out, what is emphasized by management as a NEED TO item in charting.....It was overwhelming and I am a male who is a strong dude, and I felt like crying.

It's natural. Don't worry about it. The thing that is important is that you learn something new everyday. I go through my day and jot down things I don't know or want to learn each day STILL and I if I don't know the answer to a question the first time, I make sure I know it the second time. Don't get down on yourself. Ask questions. You are not expected to know everything all at once as a new grad. Just take your time and learn.

I had a teacher talk to us often about the "art and science" of nursing. It's true because there are so many different decisions that you have to make in a day as a nurse. Some might be the wrong ones, but you always make sure you do the best you can with what you have.

Keep this in your mind: When I started I wanted to make sure each decision that I made was right, and I still do. I was told by a doctor, "Sometimes I don't know what is wrong with a person or how they will respond to a particular treatment. I have to try with the knowledge that I have to do what's best and that means treating things that I don't always know what the problem is. I just try and do the tests and do what is best by my patient."

The moral? Do your best. You will make mistakes, but learn from them and don't repeat them. Don't be too hard on yourself. It's natural to be overwhelmed. It shows you care.

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Yeah its normal to be overwhelmed as a new grad. Like chuckz, I worked for several years prior to my first RN job 2 years ago as a CNA then a tech. But for the first few months it felt like I was always refering back to a coworker whenever things got tough! I also was doing so much research encountering new drugs or being asked to order labs and procedures I had only touched briefly on in school. Confidence comes with time but hopefully you'll always be asking questions, its what makes you grow into a better nurse. :)

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It is very overwhelming but it will get better

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Hang in there and learn as much as possible everyday

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I wasn't given an overwhelming load my first day on the unit, I only had two patients, and always had my preceptor at my disposal for any questions or to remind me how to do a task, or whatever I needed to do. How many patients did they throw at you your first day? Don't go back to work nervous and anticipating more stress, just give yourself a break! Use your coworkers for their knowledge if you need help. You should never have to feel that you are truly on your own and it's sink or swim at this point. You can do it :).

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Specializes in Psych.
You should never have to feel that you are truly on your own and it's sink or swim at this point. You can do it :).

I found that learning to swim feels a lot like sinking. You won't realize you're learning until you suddenly put 2 and 2 together from a previous experience that applies to this patient.

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

I've had my license for a few months now, and I still feel overwhelmed. Some days are pretty easy, but then when you throw in admissions and discharges, codes, etc, it can get pretty crazy. I pretty much trained myself, only had about 7 full days of training. All the other days were so busy I never saw my preceptor. Anyway, after a month or so I pretty much got used to passing meds and making rounds. That all comes second nature now. I don't know if I'll ever get used to getting 2 admissions back to back, having a patient code, or not having enough staff for the floor... but I can tell you that you will become more comfortable as a nurse, and you will learn to survive when it hits the fan. :)

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I've had my license for a few months now, and I still feel overwhelmed. Some days are pretty easy, but then when you throw in admissions and discharges, codes, etc, it can get pretty crazy. I pretty much trained myself, only had about 7 full days of training. All the other days were so busy I never saw my preceptor. Anyway, after a month or so I pretty much got used to passing meds and making rounds. That all comes second nature now. I don't know if I'll ever get used to getting 2 admissions back to back, having a patient code, or not having enough staff for the floor... but I can tell you that you will become more comfortable as a nurse, and you will learn to survive when it hits the fan. :)

How long did it take u to feel comfortable as a nurse? Im 2 months in and im a nervous wreck.

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

STL2008- I still feel uncomfortable at times. It just depends on what's going on with my patients. In fact, this week I finally felt totally comfortable with PEG tubes (giving meds, feedings, etc.) for the first time. Probably about 2 months in I started feeling comfortable with IV's.. the more you do things, the more comfortable you'll feel. Every day I learn something new (which is exciting and scary) but I don't know if any nurse ever feels 100% comfortable? Anything can happen and you can never predict what a patient might do. I think once we (you and I) learn to think critically and fast on our feet, maybe then we might feel totally comfortable?

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STL2008- I still feel uncomfortable at times. It just depends on what's going on with my patients. In fact, this week I finally felt totally comfortable with PEG tubes (giving meds, feedings, etc.) for the first time. Probably about 2 months in I started feeling comfortable with IV's.. the more you do things, the more comfortable you'll feel. Every day I learn something new (which is exciting and scary) but I don't know if any nurse ever feels 100% comfortable? Anything can happen and you can never predict what a patient might do. I think once we (you and I) learn to think critically and fast on our feet, maybe then we might feel totally comfortable?

I hope so. Because right now I have that deer in the head lights look. i feel like if and when something goes wrong I wont know what to do. and that is scary to me. I hope this uneasy feeling goes away soon. Im working this weekend and im really dreading it :(:crying2:

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