aphelion

Hi all, The NY State board of nursing website hasn't been working for me for a while now: https://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/nurse/ You can also check yourself by going to Google, typing in "new york board of nursing," and then clicking on the appropriate link. I've asked several friends in multiple states to check for me and they all couldn't see the site either. I called the board of nursing and they said that no one had reported this to them and that somehow they could see the website on their computers, so they didn't believe me. I'm stressed because I'm trying to return to New York state and renew my license, and I can't because their website doesn't work. Yes, I called them and they're mailing me stuff, but I can't even check my license right now and it's stressful. Is anyone else having this problem? (If you are, can you please call the new york state board of nursing so they know they have to fix it? Main number: (518) 474-3817, ext. 120 NYSED OP Licensing: (518) 474-4429 or (212) 417-5747) Thanks for your input!

Okay, so: you will always feel slow, no matter what orientation or position you are in. You will always feel like you are behind your peers. I still feel like this and I am not a new nurse anymore. There's something called "impostor syndrome" that might provide you with some useful insight if you look it up. You are not alone in feeling overwhelmed and like you're not ready for anything; you're seven weeks in, that's like a little over two months. You *aren't* really ready for anything. There's a reason your preceptor is beside you. More important than your own assessment is the assessment of your preceptor, because nurses tend to be perfectionists, and we tend to be hard on ourselves. It seems like she really wants to support you and for you to do well. Don't be afraid to straight up ask her how you're doing. A good preceptor will not lie to you. If she says you're doing well, allow yourself to believe her; if she says you have stuff to work on, then at least you have a road map! And you can chip in too - if you think you're having trouble with specific areas, let your preceptor know. For example, identifying "slowness" is good, but slowness at *which specific things* is better - for example, when I started as a new nurse I was atrocious at doing a timely med pass, so my preceptor and I worked on it and I got better. The second part of your post is a sadly familiar one. 12 weeks is, in fact, not enough time for a fresh new grad, but it's becoming common these days as more hospitals cut corners. With that said, every facility I've ever worked at will extend your orientation if you/your preceptor feel like you need more time. Do ask if they'd be willing to extend your orientation if you still feel it's necessary by the end of 12 weeks, because you really feel like it would help build your confidence, skills, etc. If they say no, then this is not a place you want to work, because it means they are not putting the patients first. Being a new grad is hard in and of itself, and on top of that you're dealing with a complex workplace situation. Let me be clear: this isn't on you. You've been a nurse for seven weeks. All that is expected of you at this point is that you're working hard, which is sounds like you are. Cut yourself some slack. You want to be an excellent nurse, and are doing everything you can to get there. That's proof that you *are* a good new grad. You are not failing anything or anyone. The one thing I wish someone had told me as a new grad, and which I will pass to you, is that it is your right, your duty, and your obligation to say no. If you need more time in orientation, say so. If you feel like you need more training, especially if you have specifics, say so. If they fire you for it, it doesn't mean you failed, it means that you avoided a potentially dangerous situation that could have cost a patient their life, and you your license. Listen to your instincts and have faith in yourself. Keep going, and don't give up.