Hi all,I'm a fairly newly graduated nurse working in the community (I could never do the hospital shift work thing). I like the community a lot more than the hospital, but as a new grad, I feel like I've done both my patients and myself an injustice. I graduated with excellent grades, and am willing to learn and ask questions, but I'm all by myself for the most part with the type of work that I do. Almost every day I am googling something medical because I am not familiar with a patient's condition. This leaves me so stressed out that I am actually feeling depressed. I feel like the company I work for doesn't care about educating me; they just want to fill their quota for patients seen. I sort of regret my career path and choices, and am embarrassed to admit that I am thinking of changing my career already just short of being a nurse for 1 year. I went for my degree looking for a challenge,wanting to help people, but I feel like this isn't me (I'm more the creative type and partially went into nursing due to family influence). Anyways, a lot of my patients like me, and most of the time I feel some sense of reward helping them, but I'm scared for them and my license (working on my own). I'm thinking about using my background of medical knowledge to get into technical or medical writing. Any suggestions or insight? It would be much appreciated...
Specializes in Psychiatric, Home Health, Geriatrics.
You will; just the fact that you are so concerned for you patients' welfare will keep you on the right track, that and knowing when it is time to ask questions. Don't worry, after a while of this you will come to notice that you are relying more and more upon your own judgement and with that realization will also come growing confidence. The secret is to just hang in there for now and realize that most learning experiences can be scary.
I understand exactly how you feel since I second guess myself everyday and even while in nursing school. One of my reasons for going into nursing was the multiple paths I can take in nursing, all the different specialties and work environment I can work in. The possibilities are endless and we will always learn no matter how experienced we become. As you said you can do something different on the side, but I wouldn't give up just try applying to other jobs or just keep doing what you are doing. Nursing school was tough and the fact that you succeed shows how committed you are to the professorial already. Try to stay positive!
Specializes in Trauma, ER, ICU, CCU, PACU, GI, Cardiology, OR.
Obviously, every nurse in their career has questioned their ability to respond with the acknowledgment required at any given moment. However, quitting is not an option when you have come this far, your selling yourself short, we all have our weaknesses, but this makes us stronger. Having said that, this is the reason why we all lean towards some specialties for example, ED, OR, GI, etc. Undoubtedly, I know that you'll find your confidence in time, plus I have no doubt that you will succeed and realize that this is another lesson on becoming the nurse; that you so admire in your colleagues. Therefore, we nurses never stop learning, when we think we got it figured it out; something comes along and surprises with a new outcome.Lastly, believe in yourself and don't hesitate to ask for help when needed...wishing you the best in all of your future endeavors...Aloha~
Specializes in Surgical Specialty Clinic - Ambulatory Care.
DON'T QUIT! If you like the type of nursing job you have, but just feel under experienced for the position then you are in the right place. I started in the hospital and was taught very little about how to deal with my patients. It was like pulling teeth to get other nurses to teach me and there isn't a month that doesn't go buy that I wish I HAD NEVER spent so much on my ******** Nursing Degree. I like being a nurse but for the money I paid nursing school taught me diddly squat. I am of the opinion that the majority of new grads today practice little, if any, skills that are practical in an acutal nursing job. Nursing school is only to pass your exam, the rest you have to drag and beat out of the more experienced nurses you work with.
I understand that this is harder for you as it seems you have no experienced nurse's brain to pick. However, if you like the type of nursing you are doing then PLEASE don't give up. I understand you are stressed, my first year of nursing I was so overwhelmed I wanted to quit EVERY SINGLE DAY I went to work. I'm now 4 years down the road and feeling more optimistic about my career choice.
If you are having doubts about your knowledge and education then bring it up to your managers and ask for suggestions. If they can't point you in the right direction then you are going to have to get out there and find your own education. There are TONS of certifications and CEs you can sign up for. Some free, some you will have to pay out of pocket for. If the education is something that will help you feel less stressed at work then it is worth paying for. If you have the free time pick up a part time job in a hospital or volunteer at a hospital just so you can actually see people with illness and then go home and look up the diseases. I think voulnteering would be best as you can see alot with out having the added responsibility for having to do a whole lot for the patient....as you already have a job it might be hard for you to be stressed at two jobs. Think of the volunteering as a low stress and free alternative to paying for more education or experience.
Just don't give up a job in nursing that you can see yourself liking if you had enough education or experience. It is VERY hard to find jobs that you like in the medical profession that are not floor/hospital based. Good luck to you!
A lot of nursing come from experience and self teaching. I have just about every nursing made easy book, magazine or journal in my home. I am also in the community and I keep a s/s book in my car, charting book, and a book on procedures with me at all times, plus my beloved iphone to google whatever when ever. We have all felt like we didn't do enough or enough for our patients at some point but the the key is what are you doing to stop those thoughts. I can honestly stay that I haven't had a job yet that really focused on education, I had to provide my own. Its up to you to decide to keep going and I know you can do it. Good luck and a BIG HUG to you :)!
Thank you everyone so much for the kind words and support. I think what makes it more difficult working alone in the community is the absence of feedback, which I was so used to getting in school. Belief and confidence in myself is something I'll have to strive for, but I think I'm slowly getting there.
My recommendation is get in a doctor's office!! I worked in a private practice while in school. We have 3 docs, and 3 practitioners. I learned a TON!! The pace is probably similar to what you are doing, the hours will also be similar. You will get a good foundation on disease processes, wounds, etc. I loved it! I thought I should have been paying them for letting me work there. It was like going to school, but getting paid. The downside will be that the pay is less, and the benefits will not be as good.
I don't think you should feel bad at all for wanting to change positions. It takes time to find your niche. Best wishes on finding a new job should you choose to do that:nurse:
MissPiggy
181 Posts
You will; just the fact that you are so concerned for you patients' welfare will keep you on the right track, that and knowing when it is time to ask questions. Don't worry, after a while of this you will come to notice that you are relying more and more upon your own judgement and with that realization will also come growing confidence. The secret is to just hang in there for now and realize that most learning experiences can be scary.