scared out of my mind about tomorrow!

Published

Hi all

Not sure if I should have posted this in first year nursing forum but here goes (mods if you think this would be better in another forum, please feel free to move it)

I am scared out of my head right now. Tomorrow will be my first day off orientation. I will be on my own..no one to ask what they think, no one to lean on, no one to put me on the right path if I am straying of the correct one...uggghh!

There is so much I know that I don't know. Like certain documentation for certain things, when to call the docs (some of our pts docs want a call anytime of the day or night for any change in the pt, others only want a call if its a huge change, ect), who is to call..me or the charge. Heck, I don't even know how to use the phones, that is something I never even thought about until now. I know my charge is a great lady and very willing to help. I just don't know if she really wants to be talking to me pretty much all shift when I have questions. The other nurse on my wing is normally pretty helpful so hopefully she will help me out if I get stuck.

(deep breath, deep sigh) I guess its now or never right. I did somewhat work the floor by myself about a week ago, and did very well. But of course nothing major went on. I am just freaking out about how Ill perform under pressure if/when something happens..

Any tips, pointers, advice to a brand new nurse coming off orientation? What should I do, not do etc? Anything advice is welcome!

Well, wish this lady luck....I'll let you all know how it went.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg.

Take a deep breath, now exhale, and remember that you are never alone. What type of facility do you work at? If it is a hospital or LTC, you should always have someone to go to for a question about anything. If you are ever in a position where no one will help you, then you need to go somewhere else where there is more support and teamwork. I have been a nurse for almost a year and ask for help from the senior nures allllll the time. I was also scared about calling doctors once I was on my own, but you figure these things out along the way. No new nurse comes off orientation feeling completely confident in what they are doing. And if the docs are nice (and many are) they will understand that you are new and also give you some guidance as to when to call and when not to call. If you ever feel alone, just remember everyone at allnurses is here for you! Good luck!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neuro ICU and Med Surg.

Take a deep breath and relax. You will do just fine. Always use your resources like a senior nurse or charge nurse. I always welcome questions from new grads. Sometimes I am busier than crap but I will make every attempt to help them out. Don't know a policy look it up. Always err on the side of caution when calling the doc. Better to call and notify and have him say "what did you call for?" then not calling then them being upset. You will learn over time what to call NOW and what can wait. NO ONE comes off orientation and feels confident that they know all, and need no more help. I have been a nurse for 7 years and still ask my co workers should I call or just watch. Remember you will be fine.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics.

I learned this early on as an LPN: If you need to call a doctor, make sure you have vital signs taken and in front of you, all charts for the patient because you never know what the doc is going to ask you and their MAR's in case he says "did he/she get their daily dose of (whatever)" and make sure you have done a head to toe assessment on them, esp. if you have to page the doc or call at night.

Just a tip...good luck and let us know how it went. I'm sure you'll be fine!

Blessings, Michelle

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Even though I haven't even started working as a nurse yet, I know this would be a thread I will start in the near future haha. I told myself I will go to any limit to make sure I do not make a mistake..even though mistakes are made. I have suffered from many nurses during nursing school not being helpful and even decided to leave the area because I was turned away from so many hospitals..but most importantly the children's hospital that was in that area. Good luck with everything! I'm sure you will do great. Even though I haven't been in that position yet, I can imagine I would call or ask anyone around me and just be like, "Ok I will be honest, this is a new type of patient for me and I want to be sure their condition is safe enough to just monitor...What do you think?" I don't think you can really go wrong with that. I will probably just make sure I have all the necessary information in front of me when I call. I hope this helps from a graduate who isn't a nurse yet :wink2:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC.

It wasn't that long ago that I was in the same postion you are in right now. I too was terrified! The biggest tip I can give you is ... the only stupid question is the question you didn't ask because you thought it was a stupid question. The experienced nurses you're working with do not expect you to know everything and they will be willing to help you. If you're worried about a pt. bring in the other nurse on your floor and ask her opinion, then call the carge and ask her opinion. I was really afraid of calling docs when I first started. After a while, you get to know them and they get to know you (especially when working in LTC) It will get easier but trust me, every night you will drive home thinking, "Did I do this? Did I do that? " You will drive yourself nuts for the first few months, but when in doubt, always ask. Good luck to ya. Let us know how it goes.

Dawn:up:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
It wasn't that long ago that I was in the same postion you are in right now. I too was terrified! The biggest tip I can give you is ... the only stupid question is the question you didn't ask because you thought it was a stupid question. The experienced nurses you're working with do not expect you to know everything and they will be willing to help you. If you're worried about a pt. bring in the other nurse on your floor and ask her opinion, then call the carge and ask her opinion. I was really afraid of calling docs when I first started. After a while, you get to know them and they get to know you (especially when working in LTC) It will get easier but trust me, every night you will drive home thinking, "Did I do this? Did I do that? " You will drive yourself nuts for the first few months, but when in doubt, always ask. Good luck to ya. Let us know how it goes.

Dawn:up:

I could not have said this better myself. That is exactly how I felt. :bow:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

btw, when u do call/page the dr's and they call back pretty quickly, always thank them for getting back to you so soon, they seem to appreciate his , and may be more attentive to your perceived needs! sue

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It's normal to feel that way.. Anxious about almost everything and afraid to commit errors.. But hey, like you have said, it's an ORIENTATION...Meaning, they will orient you to policies and how everything works, introduce you to your co workers and chains of command who and where to contact them in cases of problem...

You see, just let it all flow, you know you should be excited!!!!

You're gonna be on a REAL DEAL here...

I want to congratulate you and wish you good luck now that you're gonna be on your own...

Everyone starts from nothing and through experience, with or without the help of those around you, you're gonna be okey...

Think positive and everything will be alright..

Just remember to keep an open mind about everything.. dont be scared to ask the help of others, it's okey because you're just starting out...

Yeah, maybe sometimes you'll get sarcastic and annoying side comments but in the end, they're gonna help you out anyways...

Just dont mind them if they do.... Okey, you're gonna be okey... trust me...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in public health, heme/onc, research.

Just because you'll be off orientation doesn't mean that you can't use your co-workers as resources!! Nursing is a team effort. If you need to ask a question or bounce an idea off of someone...DO IT. If it looks like things aren't going to well with a pt look at their trends (BP, rhythm, frequency of pain meds, etc.). Whenever I see a doc in the AM that's rounding for one of my pt's, I always ask what's the plan of care or what's changing in the plan. Now they know that if I have one of their pt's they'll sometimes seek me out to tell me what's changing.

If I were forced to go through a shift without asking any questions...who know's what would happen. I'm a new nurse too and had the same anxiety just a few months ago. You'll do great!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neuro, Cardiology, ICU, Med/Surg.

I'm still on orientation and I feel your anxiety. With luck there are resources for you to lean on (charge nurse, clinical nurse specialist, etc) as you move ahead as well as supportive coworkers. Even while I'm in orientation, I have asked other nurses questions when my preceptor isn't nearby.

All that being said, your anxiety is natural. You will get through this too. :up:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion