Those at the 1-2 year mark of nursing

Faeriewand, ASN, RN · Nov 10, 2010

One year at least. Fly under the radar until then. :) It does get better.

StephRN08 · Nov 10, 2010

I have been a nurse for almost 3 years... I precept other nurses and students... There are some days I feel like I don't know what I'm doing, but as you get more experience they will became few and far between...

AprilRNurse · Nov 10, 2010

I was told if you ever feel like you know it all, you're a dangerous nurse.

That said- about 2.5 yrs in I had an "aha" moment and realized I was no longer terrified and just getting through. I actually felt like I was proactive- and not on the defense... like I could answer the questions of the new grads...and didn't consider myself one of them.

Im 3.5 yrs in now, studying for my certification, goal of being ICU charge soon.

RaziRN · Nov 10, 2010

I'm 11 months in and still feel that way. I hate my job.

carolmaccas66, BSN, RN · Nov 10, 2010

Firstly, some older nurses will never treat you like an equal, even though university (college) nursing has been around for 20 years. Some are hospital trained and that's all they know and like. You can't possibly learn everything in 1-2 years, so don't be too hard on yourself. I do agency work and go to many different wards in different hospitals, & each facility/ward has their own way of doing things. I'm 2 years in, but have worked in hospitals etc for nearly 25 years (as a carer, theatre coordinator, etc). Hospitals are tough places to work in - time management is everything. Do you use a cheat sheet to write down what tasks you need to complete? Do you ask other nurses for help with things you don't know? If I don't know something I always tell them upfront and ask for help. Most nurses are pretty good, some treat you like an idiot. If anyone puts ME down, I always say: 'I've only been a RN for 2 years, I don't know everything but it would be great now if you could teach me some of your expertise'. Yes, flattery gets you everywhere! Can you do any extra courses to gain more knowledge of your area/ward?

I still get nervous and have gastric upsets b4 going to a new ward, it's normal. But if u aren't coping on your shifts, tell the shift coordinator or NM because they may be able to help out and give you some tips. You are not superwoman, no-one is and you shouldn't be expected to struggle on your own. And the more organised you are with time management, you will feel more confident. But if you don't know something, the NM/senior nurse should be guiding you through something new - that is their job after all, to help you. Try also to talk to a counsellor or a senior, trusted nurse re your anxieties, try not to take anything for ur anxiety. Pilates, yoga & gym work on my days off is fantastic for relaxing the mind and the muscles. Do try to see someone and talk to them, that will work wonders :)

wishiwereanurse, BSN, RN · Nov 10, 2010

The stress is bad at times...it's my back I am most definitely worried about...

What changed between being a newbie and at the 1-2 year mark?

> Pretty much after the 'honeymoon' phase, everyone goes back to their normal selves, and as much as you'd like them people, there is a lot of backstabbing involved, because they do not like you.

>At this point, I feel like I've learned everything that my current job has to offer to me, the only reason why I am hanging on is because I feel like I am not marketable enough yet with only 1-2yr nsg experience...

>I am nervous and afraid still, but I've been getting positive feedback on my ability to stay calm and focused when it gets all crazy...

>I hate it when the older nurses put me in the charge seat just because they are lazy. I am just glad that when I was still on orientation I tried to learn as much as I can about routine things that charge nurses do at night, kinda anticipated that they will throw me into the position without further training...

>Yes I dread going to work every single day. I dread going to work now than when I was new, just because of the 'charge' factor... Plus lately there have been a lot of staffing deficits, and neither my manager nor the dayshift nurses care if there's only 4 staff on the schedule when 6 is required at nighttime.

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · Nov 10, 2010

some nurses (experienced or not) are just jerks and will not respect you or notice that you have grown since you first started even if you are there for 3-4 years. they are narrow-minded and so if you made a bad first impression (as all new grads do by just being new), they will not change their minds about you and your nursing. accept this and move on (i know, easier said then done but to keep your sanity, it needs to be done).

if and when you leave you need to be prepared to move on to another environment. at this time not only is the market bad, but so is your attitude about your nursing abilities. however, not all is lost. just because the mean nurses do not think anything of you, does not mean you have to agree. learn to respect yourself and grow your confidence outside of their opinions.

have you noticed that you have improved since being new grad? do you have anything to be proud of related to your nursing? if so, that should be your focus.

also, as the other posters mentioned, spend time improving yourself and your credentials. again, your narrow minded co-workers may not notice, care, or think anything more of you based on new certs, but this will help you in the long run. any new training or certification to pad your resume along with the years of work experience you have obtained will help you to improve your chances of future employment. plus, when you are hired somewhere else, you will be someone else (a confident nurse with experience)! in fact, you may have a better chance of gaining the respect of the more experienced nurses of the dominant group (they are unfortunately everywhere) at a new place then remaining with your current employer. gl!

oryxandcake · Nov 10, 2010

Hmm I would be discouraged by all of these posts..

Maybe I am just lucky, but in all of the places I work I find support and enjoy working there. Yes, the shift work can be long and crazy at times; however, you have to extend yourself and be okay with asking for help.

I do get nervous when I am on call and go to work at a place I haven't been for 5 weeks - but I am always happily surprised that I am supported and did my best.

I guess this sounds lame and when you work on a **** ward, it may not help at all. But most people are not comfortable until they reach 2-3 years. Nurses do a ton and are expected to be a knowledgeable about a ridiculous amount of stuff. Its insane.

So maybe the trick is to be comfortable nursing, you have to become insane....

NurseKatie08, MSN · Nov 10, 2010

How long did it take before you felt like you were doing ok? The stress is killing me.
How long before I stop dreading my shifts?
How long before I stop being so afraid and nervous and start to feel competent?
How long before the mean old nurses stop treating you like your not in the club?
I feel stuck where I am the new grad market here is not good. I want to quit but I know I cant.

I'm officially a "toddler" (if you will) in the world of nursing, at 2 years & 2 months in at my first nursing job out of school. Around a year, I felt comfortable, stopped dreading my shifts and basically stopped feeling like I was going to puke every day that I went to work.

Luckily, I work on a very supportive unit, and there are no "mean old nurses" in my facility. For that, I'm thankful.

Things will always come up that I don't know, but experience tells you where to find the answers.

I now precept new grads & new hires on my unit and I absolutely love it, just started my MSN in Nursing Education.

Hang in there OP, it'll get better!

MJB2010 · Nov 10, 2010

I am just not sure I can take a whole year of this. I am really trying, I am counting down shifts to the month markers. I appreciate all of your kind words and expertise. I just need to keep on keepin on as long as I can. In the meantime I am applying everywhere hoping to find a more supportive environment for learning. This place is not a good fit.

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · Nov 10, 2010

i am just not sure i can take a whole year of this. i am really trying, i am counting down shifts to the month markers. i appreciate all of your kind words and expertise. i just need to keep on keepin on as long as i can. in the meantime i am applying everywhere hoping to find a more supportive environment for learning. this place is not a good fit.

well, sadly you are not alone!! i hated my first nursing job and i do not like my second. however, i need my second to move on with my career. like you i have no choice. the only way i found to get better, unfortunately, is to keep showing up to work! on a bright note, there is a way to detoxify your work environment and that is for you to focus on your nursing, as i stated earlier.

for example, one thing that has worked for me is to set clinical goals for my week. i have gotten exponentially better at managing patient care this way. again, taking the focus off of the rude and mean people you work with and planting that focus upon yourself, your patients, and your nursing.

also, here is a forum more suited for you even past a year. i still hang out there... i think i will be there at least until year 3! the first year after nursing licensure forum: https://allnurses.com/first-year-after/