NewMSNRN

I completed a bachelor's in psych in 2010 and made the decision to go back to school for nursing in 2013. I was accepted into an accelerated MSN program despite having a TERRIBLE GPA from undergrad (I'm talking barely above a 2.0... I was actually academically suspended from my undergrad institution for poor grades but was able to go back after a semester off to finish). When I interviewed for grad school, I made it very clear in my letter of intent and during my interview that I had not only grown emotionally, but also professionally and that my GPA was not a reflection of who I am. I didn't hide my GPA and I wasn't ashamed of it either; I think that's what they appreciated the most... that I was honest and forth-coming. I also referred to my previous mistakes in undergrad as also being my biggest strengths in that it motivated me to work harder this time. I never thought I would be accepted, but I was (and I graduated with a 4.0 ). Don't hide it. Don't make excuses for it. Just be honest and show how making a mistake will actually make you a better student.

I'm so sorry to hear! I'm honestly afraid the same thing will happen to me! The way I look at it though is that if a unit won't take the time to work with their nurses to make their nurses better/stronger/more confident, etc, then some other unit will :) Best of luck to you. I'm sure you'll be amazing.

I considered the change to nights being a factor as well but I don't think that it explains everything that I'm feeling. I shouldn't be this miserable so soon, right? I'm still getting 8 hours of sleep a day and still making time for family and friends.

I hope so too! Ah, I can't wait for the day that I finally feel confident walking into work. Good luck to you!

Thanks for the feedback, annmariern. I absolutely accept that I do not know everything and I'm more than willing to ask for help if needed. I think one of my challenges now is that I just don't know what questions to ask just yet lol

Hey guys! I'm here to vent/need words of encouragement (I know there are already a million threads devoted to new nurses that feel this way, so I apologize in advance). First, let me give you a little background information. I have a bachelors degree in psychology and it wasn't until several years after I finished my bachelors that I decided to go to nursing school (some major events occurred and I discovered that nursing really was my passion). I enrolled in an accelerated MSN program for students that had bachelor's degrees in other fields. I graduated with a 4.0, won awards, etc. etc. I passed NCLEX the first time in 75 questions. I was absolutely thrilled to be an RN and I couldn't wait to care for patients and share my love of nursing with others. I started orientation in April on a busy tele floor. Things were going well at first even though I felt fairly clueless still; I expected to feel this way so I pushed through it. After a few weeks orienting to days, I switched to orientation on night shift. My first three shifts on nights were great; much better than days since things weren't nearly as crazy and there weren't a million other people on the floor working with patients. I was feeling confident and then all of the sudden, BAM! Something changed. I have never been so stressed/anxious/nervous in my entire life. Nothing happened at work to bring this on; it just happened. This past week or so, all I have done is cry and sleep and question whether or not nursing is really for me. I've lost the drive and the passion that I once had for nursing. I'm even having a hard time connecting with my patients; this has never been an issue for me in the past! I'm feeling physically ill even on my off days knowing that I have to go back to work. Even when I'm just doing vitals and assessments, my heart feels like it is going to beat out of my chest. I've never had issues with anxiety like this. I seriously feel like I have no idea what I'm doing anymore. I'm not making the connections I should be making and I feel as though I have NO nursing judgement what-so-ever. For example, I had a patient that had a positive guaiac that was receiving lovenox. In nursing school, I would have recognized immediately that the patient should not receive the lovenox. Now that I'm on the unit, I missed this (my preceptor caught it and we discussed calling the physician to have the order changed). Sigh... I just feel stupid; I have NO idea what I'm doing! The other new grads on the floor seem like they're doing great and don't seem stressed in the slightest. I know I shouldn't compare myself to others, but I just can't help it; I feel like I'm drowning even though I felt fine a few weeks ago. Hopefully this post made sense... I feel like I was sort of all over the place. Thanks in advance for advice/words of encouragement.