Bea1128

Thank you so much for your posts. It helps to know that you all have felt that way. I've decided that it is what it is and I just have to work through it. There are days I'm terribly behind, well then I'm behind. There is nothing I can do except work through it and get it done. I can't quit so I just have to be behind. As long as my patients are being tended to and are safe, then I'm not going to worry about it. I'm starting to realize that even the most seasoned nurses get behind and have bad days. Every day I work, I get a little bit faster and feel a little better about things I've already learned. There is so much I don't know and it's stressful, but I'm learning every day. The next time I have that situation I'll know what to do. I probably drive some crazy asking stuff all day long, but oh well, it's the only way I'm going to learn and be safe. Anyway, thanks again for the advice. I appreciate it.

I could have written this post as well. I graduated in December. I also have 6 patients. I'm glad this was posted as I fell less alone. I thought maybe there was something wrong with me. It's good to know this is the way it is and that eventually I'll get used to it. And I suppose I'll survive the stress of it all. Thanks for all the good advice.

I graduated Dec 2010 Hired on full-time as a GN right after graduation with the understanding that I would work weekends once orientation was over. Started orientation process Jan 2011. Passed NCLEX-RN in Feb 2011. Indeed I now work weekends. I started at this hospital during my last semester of nursing school as an extern and am extremely blessed to have been hired on. I'm in the DFW, TX area and the job market it tough. Several clinical classmates still do not have jobs and from what I hear there are many who graduated May 2010 who do not have jobs either. I got lucky and I know it. I say prayers of thanks everyday!

Hello all! I graduated this past December and feel extremely blessed to have found a job. I did an externship my last semester of nursing school and my manager was kind enough to find a spot for me when I graduated. I have just finished a 12 week orientation with a preceptor and am now on my own. I realize I was extremely blessed to have that long by reading other's posts, so I'm not complaining about that. I'll be honest and say I'm terrified most of the time. I'm sick to my stomach even when I'm not at work. My worst fear is missing something important. It's not even really a fear for myself or my license, but for my patients. It would be absolutely devastating to me if it caused harm to someone else. I know that by working on this extremely busy floor (we have 6 patients each) it has been the best learning environment. And I have learned so much. But when I look at certain situations, I would have never known certain things without my preceptor's guidance. My lack of experience scares the heck out of me. I know logically that most new nurses make it and do well, but it's still scary. I'm behind most of the time and can't seem to figure out how to get myself into my own routine. I'm hoping that will come with more time on my own. If I don't know, I have no problem asking. I'm not stupid, I know where to look if I don't know. It's just the constant stress of "not knowing" plus being behind all the time. My preceptors have told me that I've got it, that I'm the best one they've had in a long while. And while I appreciate their vote of confidence, I myself do not feel confident at all. One thing I never do is show my stress to my patients because in doing so I know they would lose confidence in me and that would just make it worse. I act confident even though I'm not. I am able to get through stressful situations without falling apart. I don't fall apart until I'm off the floor. I can honestly say I've cried on the way home more than once. I love my patients and I love nursing. I honestly feel like it's what I was put on this Earth to do and Lord knows I've sacrificed and worked my butt off to get here, but working at Starbucks has become more and more appealing lately. I guess I'm wanting to know that others out there have felt or do feel like I do at the moment, that I'm not alone. That this too shall pass. I guess I'm looking for reassurance that eventually I will become comfortable with the patient load and be able to handle things more efficiently. I guess more than anything this was a way to vent. No one else but another nurse could ever understand any of this. Thanks for listening.

The W'ford hospital website says they will consider new grads. I had a friend who applied and was offered a position (we graduated in Dec), but turned the job down as something in another area came up that she wanted. I live in FTW. I applied, but have since been hired elsewhere so I can't speak to how it is out there. I just met another nurse who has worked in W'ford for years and she seems to like it. From what I understand it is growing and they are updating the facilities, etc. Good luck!

Thank you all for your input. I too am a new grad. I had the opportunity to do an externship in the CVICU my last semester of nursing school. I absolutely loved it and know that's where I want to end up, eventually. I was hoping for an internship in the CVICU, but because of budget constraints, the hospital has decided not to do internships. They did, however, offer me a job in med-surg/oncology with a preceptor for up to 12 weeks. After reading everyone's post, I feel this is the right thing to do. I know med-surg will be very beneficial for not only skills experience but also time management. I'm very excited to get started and learn everything I can. Thanks!

I agree with TheCommuter. And I too hate to be pessimestic; however, I just graduated in December so I can tell you the job market is tough. Hospitals are wanting experienced nurses as there is an abundance of new grads. Out of 10 clinical mates, only 4 of us found jobs so far. Our instructors said this is the first year they have seen it this difficult to find jobs. I went to a job fair in October and there were RNs who had graduated the previous May and December still looking for jobs. I was extremely blessed and got on at the same place where I was lucky enough to do an externship my last semester. I was the only GN they hired this semester. Two friends got jobs before graduation in a rural area, but they were both willing to either move or commute and are working nights. Good luck!

I'm just finishing up my first year at TCC and I had almost all A's (one B) in the sciences, A's in everything else, and I made 95% overall on my TEAS. I can tell you that on my TEAS, my lowest grade was in the science portion because I dedicated so much time to the math as I feel that is my weakness. I got in, but I know many people who didn't have anywhere near those kinds of grades. My point is that it depends on your competition. Yes, TCC is a competitive program and it's hard to get in, but keep your chin up. The negativity you have received is distressing to me because no one knows who will get in and who won't until it's all said and done. As a matter of fact, I've only met a few people who actually made A's on the TEAS. MAny, many made in the 70's. And of those people who maybe didn't have a 4.0 are making excellent nurses. I would trust them with my life because they care, are very dedicated, and know their stuff. Like I said it all depends on your competition. Don't give up and if you don't make it the first time, apply again. Try at least twice if not three times because TCC is such a great program and TCC graduates are very well regarded in the medical community. Good luck to you and don't get down on yourself. You've worked hard. Keep it up and hopefully you'll realize your dream.

I remember how horrible the wait is, it drove me nuts! I was in your boat last year at this time, but the letter will finally come. Good luck to you guys!

Yes, a bunch of busy work. The first semester I spent hours and hours on the paperwork, making sure it was just perfect. Now I do a good job and address whatever needs to be addressed. I do fine and get good grades, but the thing I've learned through the endless paperwork is how to set priorities. Busy work isn't priority to me. Learning how to be a good nurse is. So maybe that's what we are supposed to be learning through the loads of paperwork.

Don't freak out, I know lots of people who have made similar scores on the TEAS and got in. Your GPA is good and if you've made mostly A's in your sciences, you are in a good position. It all depends on your competition. My other question would be, what are you enrolled in right now? I applied the first time when I was still taking a class during registration and they wouldn't let me in; however, it was a science so.... It will just depend on whether or not they need that grade for consideration. Good luck!

I'm just finishing up my first semester and it has been great! Before starting, I heard all the negative comments as well..."it's horrible, nursing school sucks,blah, blah, blah". The entire semester I kept waiting to hate it. I kept thinking maybe there was something wrong with me because I absolutely loved it! Nursing is what I was put on this earth to do, of that I have no doubt. It's my humble opinion that you get out of nursing school what you put into it. If you think you're going to hate it and that it's going to be horrible, it probably will be. With that being said, it's tough, it's a ton of work, and you give up a lot of things you used to do. Now that my first semester is over, I realize I've totally been living in a nursing bubble. I have no idea what has gone on in the "real" world and my life outside of school has been a blur. I have kids as well and I've tried to do what I can to make it an easy transition for them, but honestly it's been a sacrifice for my whole family. My kids will live and my goal is to make it as painless as possible and just get through it. It will be worth it in the end. It doesn't have to be a horrible experience. Of course I'm lucky in that I've had wonderful classmates and great instructors. I'm sure I'll eventually run into issues that I will hate, but I hope I will make the best out of the situation and learn what I can. It can be great and I hope your experience is as awesome as mine has been. Good luck and don't listen to the negativity. You'll find that there are a lot of people out there who love to bring you down. Just do what you need to do and learn all you can.

Vomit hasn't been an issue at all, but I've strained more than my share of poop this semester. I just hold my breath and get it done as quickly as possible. Yes, I gagged a time or two, but eventually got it under control. Some of my classmates carry a mask around with them smeared with chapstick or Vick's. I don't worry about it because that's not what nursing is to me. I don't even think about it, I just get it done. That's such a small part of the entire experience that it doesn't stress me out or get in my way. There are so many options in nursing today that once through school, you could do anything you want. I personally love the whole experience, blood, gore, and all!

I find myself having the same problem, but mine is usually with the more mundane things like the paperclip and the elevator thing. :) Or if I read in the textbook the night before and I get asked a question, I know I've read it, but can't recall the answer. It's so frustrating because I know it's in there somewhere! It's also scary because I'm terrified I'm going to forget something important like picking up my kids or something. There are some days I feel like I'm just barely functioning. I think it's partially stress, but I believe the biggest problem is just plain old exhaustion. I'm juggling a family and nursing school so sleep and rest have pretty much suffered the most. I also promised myself that exercise wouldn't go by the wayside. Guess what was the first thing to go? I've got to try to lead a more balanced life because right now I eat, sleep, breath nursing school. I'm just glad to know I'm not the only one! :)

You have to do what is right for your family. No one call tell you what to do on this issue; however, you asked for advice so here it is. The actual time at school, in class or clinicals is easy. It's honestly not that much time spent; however, it's the time spent out of class that's a hard. There aren't enough hours in the day to finish everything that needs to be done. Something always gets left undone. I can study for 8-10 hours (a rarety) and never be done. Not only do you have to study, you have to go to your clinical site outside of class time to pick a patient for the next day's clinical. My husband is 100% supportive. I told him before I started that if we were going to do this he didn't get to cry, complain, or b---- about anything during the semester. He cooks, he cleans, he does homework with the kids, he gives baths, he reads bedtime stories, he does laundry. I pitch in where I can. He takes the kids to school 2 days a week, I'm able to do 3 days a week. He picks them up 3 days a week, I'm able to do 2. It's a crazy, hectic schedule, but we make it work. And so far so good. As supportive as he is, I've seen the look on his face already that says "oh crap, what have we done?". :) He hasn't said anything though, which is why he's still alive. :) What I'm trying to say is that even though you plan for how things are going go, most of the time it doesn't work out that way. My hubby works nights and my youngest has already been sick and had to stay home. He had to work all night and then stay up all day to be home with her. We had an ice day last week and I got to stay home but because my kids were home too, I got nothing done. I had to stay up until after midnight and then get up at 5 a.m. for clinical. You have to expect the unexpected. We've had to plan our entire life around nursing school, but it's something we were both willing to do. It's absolutely doable, but it's a lot with a family. I purposefully waited until both kids were in school before I started NS. That was my choice, I'm not saying it's the right one. It's a sacrifice for the whole family. I know women who have small children and are making it work. It's tough, but it can be done. I guess I would say if you don't have to, don't. I don't know how old your son is, but my kids are 3 months shy of being 4 years apart. It was a blessing for our family. They play together and are super close. The older one helps with the younger's homework. My oldest is very independent which frees me up to help the younger one. It works well. Good luck to you!