KosmoKramer

I graduated one year ago and it seems like the majority of people I graduated with are obsessing over going back to school for their MSN. Is it bad that I really do not want to go back? I feel like there is enough stress being a new nurse already, who knows if I will ever want to go back!

I am a new grad in a trauma/transplant ICU level 1. I was an aide on the floor before I became a RN (completely different! My orientation was 12 weeks and I have been on my own for about a month and a half. I am taking the "stable" patients and I feel like my coworkers are great at making sure that I have an assignment that is appropriate. I no longer feel like I am going to vomit when I walk into work but am still nervous and know that I have a lot to learn. Like others have posted, I feel like my confidence level is down the drain. I work night shifts and I try to not think of work when I am home but I seem to constantly ask myself if I am doing the right thing (working in the right place). Sometimes I feel more depressed about what I am doing right now, I don't think anything could have prepared me for the transition from nursing school into the real world. I have been doing more of what I want to do on my days off, thank goodness! Sometimes I think I'm crazy for having these thoughts because of the amazing opportunity to work in an ICU and that I already know everyone I work with. I will switch to days whenever the opportunity arises but I also know that will not suddenly fix everything. I guess what I am asking for is advice and reassurance! Most days are better than others but when I am feeling discouraged it is extremely low.

To begin, thank you for taking the time to read what I have to say! I am a new grad in a trauma/transplant ICU level 1. I was an aide on the floor before I became a RN (completely different! :) My orientation was 12 weeks and I have been on my own for about a month and a half. I am taking the "stable" patients and I feel like my coworkers are great at making sure that I have an assignment that is appropriate. I no longer feel like I am going to vomit when I walk into work but am still nervous and know that I have a lot to learn. Like others have posted, I feel like my confidence level is down the drain. I work night shifts and I try to not think of work when I am home but I seem to constantly ask myself if I am doing the right thing (working in the right place). Sometimes I feel more depressed about what I am doing right now, I don't think anything could have prepared me for the transition from nursing school into the real world. I have been doing more of what I want to do on my days off, thank goodness! Sometimes I think I'm crazy for having these thoughts because of the amazing opportunity to work in an ICU and that I already know everyone I work with. I will switch to days whenever the opportunity arises but I also know that will not suddenly fix everything. I guess what I am asking for is advice and reassurance! Most days are better than others but when I am feeling discouraged it is an extremely low feeling ( I admit that I am an emotional person! Good and bad...)