Soon to graduate from RN program (May '09) and scared

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Hello. I just wanted to see if there was anyone who was willing to give a little advice to a future RN. I am going to graduate in about 5 months and I'm starting to get a little scared. There is so much liability with being a nurse. I want to work in an ICU or a Med-Surg area. I am afraid that if I make a mistake, it could be a mistake that would cost someone their life, or maybe just make their life really bad. I am also afraid that I will be so burnt out every day that I won't be able to do the things I enjoy now (spending time with family, cooking healthy, weight lifting, bicycling). Did anyone else have fears and anxieties about this sort of thing? Did these fears prove to be unfounded, or did it take a while before you started to adjust to being a nurse/made some bad mistakes as a new RN? Any help would be appreciated. I apologize if this type of question has already been asked/is always asked. Thanks!

Julie

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

I have one piece of advice for you: treat everyone you meet as a human being, with dignity and respect...........no matter how much you may dislike them or disagree with their 'choices'. Judgmentalism has no place in this profession. Neither does haughtiness or superiority. Check those attitudes at the hospital or nursing home door, and you'll do well.:)

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Specializes in Hospice, Rehab.

Having just pieced together my first year as a nurse, I can tell you that I had a lot of the same anxieties. Keep in mind that even if you do find your life remade by your career -- and you will -- you will be able to bring those things that have meaning to you back into your life. Not only that, being a whole person makes you a better nurse. I agree whole heartedly that if you retain your respect for others and show your compassion, you will be successful.

As far as making a mistake goes, you will. I've driven an IV bag spike into my thumb, I've dropped meds, I've dumped pee on my right arm, I've given meds late, early, and in the wrong dose. I've had patients jump out of their beds. Stuff happens and there will be absolutely no one you work with expecting perfection. New firefighters get to wear red helmets; new nurses get to wear red faces!

My biggest mistake ever was staying in a fellowship where nobody really wanted to help me become a great nurse. If you're not surrounded by people that watch your back and help you learn from your goofs and near misses, you aren't in the right job. Don't be afraid to say, "this is a bad fit". Once you have a grip on the career, the rest of your life will follow.

And what a ride it will be. I wish you all the best!:)

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Specializes in ICU.

I am in my first 6 months of nursing after graduation. I went straight to work in an ICU. I was TERRIFIED!!! :o I was on orientation for 12 weeks and loved the nurses that I worked with! They were all very supportive! I would say, find some place to work that you are going to get an orientation that will be long enough to give you the confidence in yourself to be able to fly on your own....and realize that you don't know everything. It is OK to ask questions....ASK QUESTIONS!!!! You will likely have a WEALTH of nursing knowledge working with you and I have found that most of them would never want to see me fail. Realize that mistakes are going to be made....just try to be diligent and hopefully they won't be big ones that you cannot correct. It is a learning experience LOOOONG after you graduate!! I have realized that hard core!! Good luck!!

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

Most people have similar fears as expressed by the OP. My advice is to choose a first job in a place that hires lots of new grads and has an orientation geared to meet the new grad's needs. Such a place will be more likely to have realistic expectations of a new grad and provide the appropriate amount of support.

Also ... Be realistic in your expectations -- expectations for yourself and expectations of your employer. Unrealistic expectations are one of your worst enemies. Too many people set themselves up for failure by expecting near perfection and then are crushed when real life doesn't measure up to that impossible standard. Expect that you will make mistakes: we all do. Forgive yourself. Expect that your employer and your coworkers will make mistakes too. Forgive them.

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Specializes in Emergency Dept.

:ancong!:

First of all I'd like to congratulate you on your final semester! You've nearly made it! :) I too am dealing with new grad stress! I start my very first job as a new grad in the Emergency Department on MONDAY!!! yikes! But don't stress yourself out so much now about being scared of the liability,etc. You've got a lot to go through before you get to that! Just take it one day at a time. Keep us updated on how you're doing & feel free to PM if you just want to vent. Watch for my posts b/c I'm sure there will be a good bit of venting needed soon :)

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Thanks everyone for all of the helpful advice. I really needed it! Have a good day. :nuke:

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