RE: New NP grad/new job=HUGE ANXIETY!

Tinabeanrn · May 17, 2012

Hey Duckfan. I can not say I have walked a mile in your shoes yet, as I start my first NP job in July. I know you are an anxious person from prior post...you gotta know you will get through this. You can do it. It just seems overwhelming, but you would be surprised at what you can do when your forced too. How much longer is your orienation? My preceptor managed about 80 ppl too and she got to know those pts and thier families like the back of her hand and she was awesome at it. You are just out of your comfort zone..thats all. Most nurses would rather die than to be faced with an ICU pt that is spiraling down the drain, needs lines, needs to be intubated, is on 8 drips and is connected to the crash cart. Your just use to knowing everything about your pts inside and out, bc there were only 1-2 pts for you to take care of. Its hard transitioning your mind from being able to know everything, to what it is your doing now. You will be fine! Just have faith. Take deep breaths, say your prayers, continue to study and grow and develop your skills, and most importantly...THINK POSITIVE & SPEAK POSITIVELY. It is really Important because you have to have confidence in yourself. You are capable of doing, being, and having anything that you put your mind to. Just gotta have faith and lower your expectations of yourself as a new grad. You cant know everything all at once. You will get great experience there, your doing what you had in your heart to do. You ARE prepared. Take every negative thought..."I cant do this" and turn it into " I CAN do this." And everytime those negative thoughts come, replace them with positve. You do not have 17 years of ICU nursing experience because you are insecure . You got this girl. So go head and embrace it. I have faith in you, an I am gonna pray for you every night. Best wishes honey bun :nurse:

WagsNP · May 17, 2012

Okay, so I have posted on here before that I just got hired as a new grad NP with Evercare/United Healthcare. I am in my second week of orientation, which has been overwhelming, and I am mortified to start on my own. The company has a great support system, all very nice and welcoming; I even met the CEO and COO today as they flew in from the East Coast/Arizona. This is the big leagues! I feel wholly inadequate, unworthy, and unsure of myself and my abilities. I had 17 years of critical care nursing, and excelled in the ICU-but now just feeling unsure of myself, my abilities, and of failing at this. They expect me to take on 2 nursing homes with approx 80 total patients by the end of June. They are a medicare policy administrating company-so the amount of CMS reg charting is horrendous. I will also be telecommuting (got my own phone, laptop, etc), which is something I have NEVER done before, and it feels quite odd to me. I am by nature an anxious person, and this has made me 20 times worse. I am likely just experiencing the jitters....but anyone else experienced? How did you get through it? How/when did you finally feel comfortable? My clinical rotations hardly prepared me for this...I have to admit. I got straight As in school. Passed boards. Always been successful-but this time it feels SO DIFFERENT. Thoughts? Pearls of wisdom? Thanks in advance.....

Hi DuckFan23, it looks like you and I are sharing the same anxiety. I agree with the person that replied to your request, we are so out of our comfort zone. We have gone from being the experts in our fields to basically feeling like new grad nurses again. I think the most important thing is to find your support system or develop one! Be sure to communicate with your employer if you are having issues or need questions answered. Do you feel like you have a supportive environment? I am guessing you do or you wouldn't have taken the job, right. Are there other NPs you can lean on? I would just be sure to let them know if you are not ready to handle that many patients and let them know you need a little more time.

cinciNP · Jun 24, 2012

Hi DuckFan...I hope it's ok that I am posting/responding. I see you posted this last month and are probably feeling better about your new role. I have no great advice as I am a new graduate ANP myself. Your post caught my attention because I have an interview with Evercare in 2 weeks. I have the same anxiety and concerns that you have and I haven't even been hired. I am very excited about the interview because this is a job I really think I would like. I have been on several interviews and have turned down a few jobs for various reasons. I am hoping that you have some advice or words of wisdom for my interview! I thank you in advance.

ShugRN2010 · Aug 22, 2013

Hello. I know this thread is over a year old but I hope you respond. I'm currently in the Adult/Geron Primary Care program at USA and I will graduate in December 2013. I'm interested in working for United Healthcare as a House Call NP. Do you like your job (please list pros and cons)? Do you feel you are compensated well?

pnwagnp · Mar 25, 2018

Hi Duckfan23,

Have you stayed with this position? I'm considering a similar role as a newer NP. Thanks.

aok7, NP · Apr 20, 2018

I think the follow-up on this is the current challenge for new grad NP students. NP role is not RN role, and NP school should prepare us to be effective and confident novice providers. We have only ourselves to blame for the current difficulty for new grad NPs, unfortunately.