RN with 2 years experience and still feel uncomfortable at times.

bosnanurse · Mar 31, 2011

Preceptor should be someone who has some background but also who is comfortable being that. It is not an easy job to teach and transfer that knowledge, so if you do not feel ready then you are not ready.I felt comfortable on my job after 6 months. You need to get involved in unit,politics, talk with peers , decision making so that you feel as a leader who can make a change. Do not hide , do not think that someone else knows more than you just because they are loud about things they are talking about. Some people have that charismatic approach that even if they do not know you would never think of it like that. Take preceptor class, take a new grad under your wing. You will surprise yourself , I promise . I believe that you know much more than what you think you know , with a little bit push you can be fabulous teacher for new nurses.

Go for it.

JenniferSews · Mar 31, 2011

I have just one year experience. But I remember when I graduated reading about nurses referring to themselves as "new grads" with 1 year experience and thinking that was silly. Now I know why. A lot of what I learn now is just how much I don't know. It's humbling, and I think it's a good thing to know your limitations. I don't let other's make decisions for me, but I do ask for a second opinion when I'm not 100% sure. I refuse to think it's not okay to ask questions. I work in a small facility and I have had nurses with 30+years experience ask me my opinion. Sometimes it's not about how much experience you have or how much you know. It's just nice to have a second set of eyes on the situation. Keep asking, and don't feel like you should know everything.

DavidFR, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 31, 2011

Hi,
I often try not to sit at the front desk (due to trying to avoid some hostile coworkers) where often there's discussion on pt cases which I can learn from.

This was what struck me most about your post.

It's natural to feel underconfident at times, especially when working with more experienced colleagues who seem to know so much. Don't forget also that some nurses are excellent BSers, and sometimes sound feasible even when they don't really know what they're spouting off. You're being honest and professional when you say "I don't know this, I need to learn about it." Are you being undermined? Are you being bullied? Is your work area one of intimidation and lack of free exchange of ideas? It seems very extreme, drastic and sad to me that you would avoid potential learning opportunities for fear of hostility from colleagues. This situation needs sorting out with your manager/hierarchy, if necessary with union help. If it's unresolvable - look for another job in a healthier working environment that's more conducive to learning and teamwork. Two years in post is a respectable length of time to want to move on and experience other things. Maybe you know more than you think, and possibly you've stopped learning because you're seeing the same things day in day out? Good luck.

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Mar 31, 2011

After twenty-some years I still feel uncomfortable. I still forget what time housekeeping goes home, or what form goes with stupid pathology requisitions. Ask the docs about how different conditions affect each other, and don't be shy about clarifying policies, because everyone forgets.

When I preceptor I realize how little I know, and ALWAYS end up looking stuff up. It's not a weakness, but sure is annoying to realize you don't know everything you thought you did.

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP · Mar 31, 2011

I'm glad to see people with lots more experience than me chime in, because I've been a nurse for almost ten years and there are times I still don't feel very competent. I can handle all types of patients on my floor - high risk antepartums, lady partsl deliveries, c/sections, GYNs, and newborns. But there are some days, some situations, where it hits me that I still have so much to learn. So while I feel confident (and it probably took me five to six years of nursing to get there), I also know that I will never know it all. If you ever get to the spot where you do, let me know. And in the meantime, hang in there. :) There is some good advice already given in this thread by other posters.

NaKcl, BSN, RN · Mar 31, 2011

You ask questions to take care of your patient. You are putting pt's well being beore your pride.

there is noting wrong with asking. when you don't know about something, you just don't know.

It is dangerous to pretend to know something when you reall don't.

In my experience, there were many times, those experienced nurses can't give me the rationals on certain procedure or care. we both look it up or ask one of doctors on the floor.

Sounds like you are doing a good job!!! :nurse:

stellaRN1983 · Mar 31, 2011

You ask questions to take care of your patient. You are putting pt's well being beore your pride.
there is noting wrong with asking. when you don't know about something, you just don't know.
It is dangerous to pretend to know something when you reall don't.
In my experience, there were many times, those experienced nurses can't give me the rationals on certain procedure or care. we both look it up or ask one of doctors on the floor.
Sounds like you are doing a good job!!!

Thank you!!:heartbeat

LouisVRN, RN · Mar 31, 2011

You should always feel uncomfortable in some circumstances...you can never know everything. After almost 3 years I can say I feel comfortable 98% of the time, but the 2% I dont is when I learn the most. Sometimes you can know all the answers, all the meds, all the procedures, but the patient just won't follow the rules of what they SHOULD be doing/acting like.

rnccf2007, BSN, RN · Mar 31, 2011

If you ask me, you show the signs of a good nurse. Why? Because, you ask questions when you are unsure. The scariest nurses (the ones that I feel are most dangerous) fail to seek the advise from others when they are unsure of something. I have been a nurse for four years and still feel uncomfortable at times when I am dealing with an issue that I have never encountered. So, I ask questions and seek advise as well as using my nursing judgment. However, I have learned from nurses with long term experience as well as brand new nurses. WE CANNOT know everything. Nursing involves life-long learning. That is where our co workers and other members of the interdisciplinary team can assist us in quality patient care. If you feel that there is an issue that you need to further review, read or do further research using evidence based practice. As far as hostile co-workers, they may just know less than you. Some of the best information that I have learned came from listening to physicians while following them on rounds, listening to them dictate, or just asking them questions. Most physicians that I have dealt with are more than happy to "puff up" their chests and share their knowledge (sometimes condescending, but you still learn). They are better resources than hostile co-workers. NEVER be afraid to ask a question, even if you feel stupid asking it. As far as preceptors, I believe that this is an individual characteristic. I know nurses who have 20+ years of experience and refuse to precept.

Noimanurse · Mar 31, 2011

Uncomfy comes with the job, unfortunately. I'm coming up on 2 years and while I certainly feel better about my ability to complete my job as I did when I started (at least my head doesn't spin every day, just every other day now). I probably annoy a few people, but I ask, and if I'm unsure still, I ask again, and if I'm still unsure, I ask again...and so on, but it has helped me greatly. Good luck!

sunnycalifRN · Mar 31, 2011

As other posters have said, always ask questions when unsure. Mistakes are made when you "assume".

However, the problem I come across is: ask 3 different nurses and get 3 different answers . . . (including our nurse educator, nurse manager and clinical nurse leader). These are usually "policy" questions.