amo15

I am a new grad LPN at a ventilator hospital. I am going through the same thing. I have worked at my job as an LPN for 3 months and I find myself thinking "is nursing really for me?" I even worked as an aide for 2.5years before getting my lpn and feel it barely helped. It is very overwhelming to me, and stressful. I have horrible anxiety the night before I have to work. Sometimes I have great days and everything is going very well, others i leave work almost in tears. I think I may be experiencing some new nurse 'hazing' if you will, I always get the new admissions, the ones needing blood, the patients in restraints, or with sitters while other nurses have less patients and are more experienced. All the nurses that I talk to just say to stick it out, that everyone goes through what we are going through right now. I'll tell you what, I am in my twenties & furthering my education has never looked better. I dont want to be a floor nurse for the next 40 years. As far as suggestions- you are not alone. I never hesitate to ask questions even if I think it is silly, or I will look something up on Google if I am too embarrassed to ask (as long as the source is credible) at first my coworkers seemed annoyed but I think they see that I am trying to learn and want to do a better job. I know what you mean about the "common sense" things also, after I always think "why didnt I know that" but the important part is that we can learn from our mistakes. Hope things will get better! Staying positive is the only thing keeping me at my current job.

I graduated in April & have been working in a LTAC hospital in Kentucky for 3 months as an LPN. I work 24hrs a week and just finished my first 6 months of the LPN-RN bridge program. I sometimes wish I would have stayed working as a CNA, and the responsibility as a new nurse is a bit overwhelming. Other times I love being a nurse, & not just because of the better pay but it really helps me be able to make connections while continuing my education. In the perfect world working 8hr shifts would be nice but it is not an option at my facility. After school 5 days a week & working 2 days a week I am exhausted. It helps not being married or having kids though. I think it mainly depends on how well you handle stress, each person is different. Goodluck in whatever you choose :)