Tell me someone else has felt like this....

allnurses Guide · Jul 30, 2010

Everyone feels like that at first! The cure for that is a good orientation process, and a gradual set of increasing responsibilities with a supportive preceptor however! That doesn't happen in LTCs often from what some of the new LPNs have said about their patient load. If you take a job in an LTC, be aware that your most precious posession is now your license and don't expect yourself to do the impossible. There are lots of tips and tricks in the Geriatric nurse forum.

Policies? I barely have time to juggle the pts let alone read any policies. Darn it, I knew I was forgetting to do something during my shifts .

I'm not sure if you meant it that way, but you sound as if you think reading policies and procedures is just a bothersome low-priority activity when in reality they are the nurse's best friend and may prevent you from ending up with your b*tt in a sling. This information is available on the unit and it really doesn't take that long to review.

HiHoCherry-O · Jul 30, 2010

Policies? I barely have time to juggle the pts let alone read any policies. Darn it, I knew I was forgetting to do something during my shifts .

Considering this is what the institution you work for is going to hold you to, it would be wise to be FAMILIAR with them; not have them memorized. In the beginning I found it helpful to look at a policy before I did something, especially if I had not done it before (or if at a new facility; every facility has their own variation). Generally they are only a page or two.

NocturneRN · Jul 30, 2010

I am a new graduate LPN. I am currently looking for a job with little luck. I have been freaking myself out lately because I feel like I don't know anything. Yes I feel like in nursing school I learned pretty much the basics and how to be safe. I am soooooooooooooooooo worried because when I do actually get hired say it be a nursing home and they put me out there on the floor I am going to be completly lost!!!!!!!!! All the what if this and what if that keep poping up in my head.....and how am I going to know this and that! AHHH!!! Please share your thoughts on this matter! I have little confidence! Did you feel like this coming out of school? How did you get over it?

Just remember that nursing school doesn't turn you into an expert. It merely gives you the skills you need to enter the field.

Personally, I have more confidence in a new graduate who says, "I don't feel like I know anything" than one who assumes s/he knows it all. Don't be afraid to ask questions, and make sure no one tries to put you into a position that you're not equipped to handle safely. And remember that the first year is usually the hardest. :uhoh3:

Ruby Vee, BSN · Jul 30, 2010

i am a new graduate lpn. i am currently looking for a job with little luck. i have been freaking myself out lately because i feel like i don't know anything. yes i feel like in nursing school i learned pretty much the basics and how to be safe. i am soooooooooooooooooo worried because when i do actually get hired say it be a nursing home and they put me out there on the floor i am going to be completly lost!!!!!!!!! all the what if this and what if that keep poping up in my head.....and how am i going to know this and that! ahhh!!! please share your thoughts on this matter! i have little confidence! did you feel like this coming out of school? how did you get over it?

i graduated thirty-some years ago, and found a job immediately, although the folks who graduated a year ahead of me didn't have much luck. i felt like i didn't know anything -- and be damned if i didn't. know anything that is. my first year was miserable -- read my article "when i was a new grad." you'll probably learn faster than i did, but there are times when you're going to be lost, feel stupid, wonder how you're going to make it through a shift without killing anyone. believe it or not, that's a good thing. there's nothing worse than a new grad who feels as though she knows everything! if you're feeling stupid, you'll learn.

there are so many more resources now than there were when i was a new grad. the internet, on-line policies and procedures, reference apps for your ipod touch or smart phone . . . and much, much more. take advantage of them. soak up everything you can from everyone you work with. everyone can teach you something -- even if it's how not to do it. follow the experienced nurses and cnas around and learn tips, time savers and tricks. if you encounter a med, a disease process, an injury or a treatment you've never learned anything about, look it up. you should expect to study at home -- there just isn't enough time at work sometimes to learn everything. and volunteer to teach every chance you get -- there's no better way to learn something through and through!

good luck! and have fun.

2CareerRN · Jul 30, 2010

You are not alone, I think all new grads feel something similar as you, I know I do. It takes time to build confidence with hands on experience. I agree with the procedures and polices, they are your best friend. If you follow them, you can't get into trouble. Good luck and keep us posted.

LesMonsterRN, ADN, RN · Jul 30, 2010

I have always told new grad orientees that they will learn more in the first year out of school than while in school. and that's saying a lot! Thats one of the beauties of nursing is that there's always something to learn.

KaroSnowQueen, RN · Jul 30, 2010

Time, observation and organization. When you are in orientation, take notes of the routine your preceptor uses. then use her routine, make your own observations and alter it to fit your personal way of doing things. Use a daggone checklist if you have to, until you have it down pat. Twenty years from now, you'll be able to walk onto a new job cold and have a 75% idea of how you are going to do things without even knowing all the particulars. Time is your friend.

cwa82 · Jul 30, 2010

We all feel this way!!! I've heard it takes at least 6 months to a year to get comfortable, and even then there is still so much to learn! I graduated in May and am a few weeks into orientation on a med-surg (mostly surgical) floor. The learning curve is steep, and I have felt stupid and overwhelmed a lot! Luckily, I work with a great group of people and have fabulous preceptors. But it is tough - the first week, I was convinced I had gotten myself into the WRONG profession! Accept your limitations, but push yourself too. Ask lots and lots of questions - there is no such thing as a stupid question, but there is such a thing as harming your patient because you were afraid to ask. Realize that ALL new grads feel this way, and that we are here to support each other! Also realize that this is just the beginning of a hopefully long career - give yourself time to learn and grow into it. Good luck to you!

NocturneRN · Jul 30, 2010

I can still remember my first nursing job, on a surgical unit. On my first full day on the unit, I walked into a patient's room, and found him anxious, diaphoretic and SOB. ALL of my nursing education flew out of my mind at that point, and all I could think to do was run to my preceptor. "WHAT DO I DO????"

The preceptor and another nurse came running, immediately sat the guy up, started O2, ordered a stat EKG, checked his vitals and listened to his lungs. I felt like a complete fool----OF COURSE I knew that these were important things to do, but my experience with troubleshooting was extremely limited. All the patients I'd cared for in school (and as a CNA) had been more or less routine care, and, if any unforeseen things happened, I'd turned it over to the nurse. Now, with a shock, I realized that I was the nurse. Scary!

At that point, I thought, "I'll never manage to do this!" But I learned from that experience. Each day, throughout orientation and for at least 5 years after that, I came home with some new knowledge or skill. Nursing school doesn't turn you into a nurse----it just teaches you the basics. Professional competence comes with practice. :nurse:

sunnycalifRN · Jul 30, 2010

You're not alone. Every new grad that I know of, myself included, felt the same way. Nursing school only teaches you some basic skills and critical thinking skills. Your employer will give you an orientation prior to letting you work on your own. The "what if" thinking is important, not in terms of getting freaked out, but as part of your clinical plan for each patient. For every patient, based on why they're hospitalized, you should have a "what if" list of possible complications that you are watching for.

dodaive · Jul 31, 2010

Hi Nursemegh

You have a valid reason to be afraid, unfortunately the first thing to think about after getting hired is building relations with other nurses on all shifts, that keep an eye out on the nursing bullys for you. Degrading gossip can be heard on a nursing floor almost every day, and is even considered normal and professional. Expecting more experienced nurses to practice benevolence towards their colleagues, is in conflict with the reality of human nature. The sad thing about this reality, is that not much actual nursing excellence can be achieved, when everyone needs to make watching one's own back the priority. Just keep a practical approach to self -improvement and be careful with self- blame.

Although back-stabbing by others is a fact of life, especially with healthcare's present situation, I would also like to emphasize the importance of understanding how your colleagues view your actions. I have been a guilty culprit in the past, and have only been able to change with self-examination.

Wish you success:)

Ruby Vee, BSN · Jul 31, 2010

hi nursemegh
you have a valid reason to be afraid, unfortunately the first thing to think about after getting hired is building relations with other nurses on all shifts, that keep an eye out on the nursing bullys for you. degrading gossip can be heard on a nursing floor almost every day, and is even considered normal and professional. expecting more experienced nurses to practice benevolence towards their colleagues, is in conflict with the reality of human nature. the sad thing about this reality, is that not much actual nursing excellence can be achieved, when everyone needs to make watching one's own back the priority. just keep a practical approach to self -improvement and be careful with self- blame.
although back-stabbing by others is a fact of life, especially with healthcare's present situation, i would also like to emphasize the importance of understanding how your colleagues view your actions. i have been a guilty culprit in the past, and have only been able to change with self-examination.
wish you success:)

somehow, i have managed to last three decades in nursing without being eaten, encountering backstabbers (well ok, maybe one or two), bullies or more than the occasional bit€#. am i lucky, smart or incredibly dense? or maybe some of the rest of you are focusing more on the negatives than you need to.