Starting my first job and a nervous wreck

[rue2235]

So I am wondering if anyone can pass along some advice on how to handle the first professional nursing job. I am a new grad and was recently hired as a staff RN in a community hospital, med/surg dept. I am feeling so incompetent already, full of self doubt, negative thoughts, and wanting to just run away from the job, feeling like I should start somewhere else where maybe I would feel more comfortable, like in a smaller office or LTC. The problem is my fiances nurse manager at his work pretty much got me the job so if I turned my back on it now, it would be quite an affront to both of them. I know it will teach me a lot and its normal to be nervous, but I truly feel like I bs'd my way through school so I am unprepared and I am a fraud and now everyone will know, including my fiance. Please help. Thanks.

[JoseQuinones]

What, did you think nursing school made you a nurse? No, it does not make you a nurse any more than bootcamp makes you a veteran. It is the trial by fire that makes you a veteran, in nursing or any other field. Nursing school teaches you the vocabulary, processes, amd skills you need to get the license - and then you grow into a nurse.

The last thing you are is a fraud. You are a newbie, and a victor.

[middleagednurse]

I assume you passed NCLEX so you have adequate knowledge.Everyone is nervous when they start a new job. Just keep your eyes and ears open do the best you can and never stop learning.

[Sippie]

Every new grad has feelings like this. It is normal :) Sometimes the thinking about it is much worse than the doing it. It is gonna be rough for the first six months to a year -at least, just realize that. Go to work everyday and think I am going to learn something new! You are a new grad and no one thinks you will be perfect. Sometimes we have super high expectations of ourselves even as new grads but you will not be perfect, you will make mistakes, and you will learn from them. You did the book work, passed your boards, but now you are going to learn to be a good nurse. I got my BSN RN in 1996 so I do know what I am talking about.

It may even take you a year to be comfortable on the floor and no matter what area of nursing you go into you still have a huge learning curve that first year.

One thing you can do once you get on the floor is to learn to prioritize and manage your time. Go slow at first and see what's what. Its kinda like typing, accuracy first then speed.

Another thing is to keep a list and write down anything you have questions about, new meds, new treatments, procedures etc. Go home and look them up every night while it is fresh in your mind. Expect to 'study' a little when you are starting a new job. If you still have questions ask your preceptor.

[llg, PhD, RN]

As you already know, most new grads have some of those same feelings. Those who continue moving forward are the ones who become practicing nurses. The ones who run away without even trying don't.

Please do yourself a favor by gathering your courage and giving it a try before giving up. You may surprise yourself with how much you know and how much you can do. Expect a few bumps along the road, but that's normal. When you run into a few rough spots, pick yourself up, locate your resources, and keep trying. That first year of practice will eventually end and then you will be an experienced nurse. Just take it one step at a time and don't run away every time things are a bit scary or discouraging.

[rue2235]

Thank you so much for your replies. All have helped. How could I expect my short education to teach me everything?! I begin my orientation this Tuesday and even though I am still nervous, I am excited as well.

[CardinalFanRN]

I'm starting my first job in a hospital this week too! I've very nervous and very excited...so you're not alone. Just wanted to let you know I'm having a lot of your same feelings.

I've found that reviewing some skills, by watching YouTube videos, and going over some of the things I struggled with in nursing school is helping me to feel more confident.

Good luck to you! Hopefully we will both be feeling better in the next few months. 😊

[scaredsilly, BSN, RN]

I was in the same boat 9 months ago. As I am going to be completing my first year in a few months, I can attest to the fact that it WILL get better!

I think we all start our first job realizing we don't know anything, and It is really very scary! I do not think I ever heard a new nurse who did not feel like you do, and frankly, I wouldn't want one caring for my family member if they had all the confidence of a seasoned nurse on their first day! over confidence in our job can kill!

The only thing that makes your situation slightly different is your fiancé's NM being involved. You are going to be afraid of looking bad in front of her, but remember she stuck her neck out to hire a new grad, so she is going to do everything possible to help you learn so she doesn't look bad!

As others said, ask questions, study, learn! Never attempt a procedure if you don't totally understand how to do it, never pass a med if you aren't 100% sure of what you are doing....ask for help and stay safe! During down time, if none of your patients need anything, offer to help other nurses. Doing as your preceptor asks is a priority but those other nurses will be there to help after orientation is over and you want them to know that you are a team player and always anxious to help. It will benefit you in the future.

Form a support group with your classmates or other new grads at the facility, it really does help to vent to others who are going through the same thing!

We all go through it--it is your rite of passage! Try to enjoy it, learn from it, and you will be fine!