Shy New grad- and I suck

[NewNurseJules]

Thank you to anyone reading this saga of my first few months of being an RN after nursing school. First off, let me say that I love nursing, I enjoy helping people, and I want to be the best nurse for my patients. A little background info, I graduated from nursing school (RN, BSN) in May, and started working pretty soon after that on my dream unit (oncology) at a very supportive hospital for new grads.

I just finished my 12 week preceptorship, and I feel like I am a safe nurse, however I still feel like I miss very basic things that I should pick up on. For instance, remembering to check up on the vital signs that the aides put in when I'm too busy with med pass, remembering that a patient is NPO before I go into a room and hand them their pills, or remembering that it is NOT ok to reinforce a PICC dressing with tape... I also feel like I am floundering when I give report and can't answer any of the questions the oncoming nurse asks. I'm convinced the other nurses must think I'm an idiot!!! Overall, I just feel incompetent and discouraged. I want to be good at my job, but I can't get the little things right! I am constantly asking my preceptor dumb questions, it's like I know nothing and didn't even go to nursing school! I am also naturally very shy which has made it difficult to connect with the other nurses (not to mention I am by far the youngest nurse on my unit). I am starting to think that I am not meant to be a nurse because of all the little mistakes I keep making, I have zero natural talent in this field... I see other new grads who are amazing, which makes me feel worse!

Any advice?

[NewMurse1014]

It will get better. The general consensus is that you start feeling more comfortable around the 1 year mark. Some people are faster some are slower. You've only working for 4 months since May. I was in the same boat 10 months ago, feeling like I knew nothing after my new grad preceptorship. But since the 6 months mark I started to feel I have the routine down and I know where or who to find answer from, and became calmer in RRTs. Keep asking those questions even they may seem dumb, and read up on anything you don't understand at home. One day you'll realize you "clicked" and how much you've grown

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

You're still brand new. You're going to flounder. It's just part of being new -- at anything. I'd be really worried about a new grad who didn't make mistakes, who didn't feel stupid and who was confident. Fear is what keeps you from making a huge mistake that might kill someone.

It takes about a year to become comfortable in your job, and about two years to become competent. We've all been there, we've all been through it. The only way to GET through it is to GO through it. In the mean time, use your resources. Ask the questions. And study at home. I'm always amazed at the new nurses (or nurses who are new to a specialty) who think they don't have to study at home. If you have questions about something and it isn't urgent, look it up at home. Keep a little notebook with you or tap reminders into your phone. If you see a drug you don't know, look it up. If it's not due on your shift, look it up when you get home so you'll understand why the patient is getting that drug and what side effects to watch out for. Look up disease processes, lab values, treatments. Why is THIS patient getting THAT treatment protocol? What do you watch out for? When will the WBC count start to dip with this chemo? Why is THIS patient getting platelet transfusions and THAT patient isn't?

Congratulations on getting through your orientation, and good luck with your first year.

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

It is always overwhelming at the start and oncology is super tough. You need to be kinder to yourself. Also, you do not suck!

[cleback]

For the little things... remember that your working memory can only handle 5 things plus or minus 2, so when you're new and having to concentrate on EVERYTHING, you are more likely to miss smaller things. It will get better as more and more tasks become routine. Hang in there.

[Cat365]

Make a checklist for small routine things you are forgetting, or create a habit. For instance if you have computers and scanners in every room make a habit of reviewing, signing off on vitals before you administer a patients meds. Or alternately make a daily list of duties. Meds from 8-10 then vitals. Focused assessments ect. Check it off as you accomplish each task.