Very First Nursing Job

Nurses General Nursing

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Hi! I'll be starting my very first nursing job on Monday, and I'm so excited but also nervous! I have a week of general hospital orientation before I actually start working on my unit. I was hoping to hear some stories from you guys about when you started your first nursing job, how it went, what to expect, etc.

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It's been maybe 1 month since I started my first job at a SNF and its been terrible to be quite honest. I'm very slow at passing my medications, a change of condition will ruin my day and I never go home on time. The paperwork, charting, and policies are still confusing and I have tons of audits. My 6 days of orientation wasn't very helpful. I cry every few days because its so overwhelming and I feel like I'm struggling to do the bare minimum and I wish I could do more for them. I always watched certain nurses and vowed to never be like them, now I am them. Some of my classmates have had very good experiences though. I guess it depends where you work and your ability to adapt. It's hard and it makes me miss nursing school when I THOUGHT that was stress. But every day you learn, every day you get better, just remember why you chose to be a nurse in the first place.

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Specializes in CMSRN, hospice.

Congratulations on getting your first nursing job!!!!!

When I got my first nursing job, a dear former coworker gave me three symbolic little gifts. The first gift represented my first day of work, when she said I would be happy and excited to be a nurse. I was. The second gift represented my second day, when, she told me, I would be overwhelmed and need to remember I had the tools to succeed. I did need to remember that, and I did have the tools. The third gift represented my time off, and was to remind me to relax and enjoy the rest of my life too as I learned to be a nurse. I have.

Those gifts really were a fine metaphor for the first year. There were times when it was so exciting and I was thrilled to be a nurse, and there were times when I was sure I'd never be good enough. But for some reason, the thought of, "I can do this, I have the tools," really got me through a lot of frustrating moments. It also helped to have a physical symbol of happiness in nursing, so I could think, "I have been happy in this career, and I will be again." Even the reminder to not dwell on the job during my off-time came in handy; the work anxiety is easier to manage when you have an outside life you look forward to.

You will collect all kinds of moments with all kinds of feelings in your first year of nursing. Accept them as they come and know that you will not just survive it; you will learn from it, grow from it, and even enjoy (some of) it.

Best of luck, AlmostThere19!

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Specializes in ER OR LTC Code Blue Trauma Dog.

Yup, you're going to be a nervous wreck. Everyone is that way at first, so let's just get that out of the way okay? ?

Just embrace it because the only thing that makes it better is time and experience.

At first you will be questioning yourself a lot. Sometimes you will draw a blank and start to panic. Try not to let that feeling overcome you and it will subside. Then your brain kicks in with more rational and logical thoughts.

You will find that as you repeat tasks, things will become easier. This is when you will start building confidence in yourself.

Eventually, you will be doing everything in your sleep. (figuratively speaking, or maybe not, depending on your work schedule lol)

Don't sweat it too much and just remember that everyone else has been where you are. You are going to be fine.

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1 hour ago, napswithcats said:

It's been maybe 1 month since I started my first job at a SNF and its been terrible to be quite honest. I'm very slow at passing my medications, a change of condition will ruin my day and I never go home on time. The paperwork, charting, and policies are still confusing and I have tons of audits. My 6 days of orientation wasn't very helpful. I cry every few days because its so overwhelming and I feel like I'm struggling to do the bare minimum and I wish I could do more for them. I always watched certain nurses and vowed to never be like them, now I am them. Some of my classmates have had very good experiences though. I guess it depends where you work and your ability to adapt. It's hard and it makes me miss nursing school when I THOUGHT that was stress. But every day you learn, every day you get better, just remember why you chose to be a nurse in the first place.

Thanks for the advice! I'm sorry you're having a rough time, but hopefully it'll keep getting better the longer you stick with it. I'm shocked you didn't have a longer orientation!

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1 hour ago, NightNerd said:

Congratulations on getting your first nursing job!!!!!

When I got my first nursing job, a dear former coworker gave me three symbolic little gifts. The first gift represented my first day of work, when she said I would be happy and excited to be a nurse. I was. The second gift represented my second day, when, she told me, I would be overwhelmed and need to remember I had the tools to succeed. I did need to remember that, and I did have the tools. The third gift represented my time off, and was to remind me to relax and enjoy the rest of my life too as I learned to be a nurse. I have.

Those gifts really were a fine metaphor for the first year. There were times when it was so exciting and I was thrilled to be a nurse, and there were times when I was sure I'd never be good enough. But for some reason, the thought of, "I can do this, I have the tools," really got me through a lot of frustrating moments. It also helped to have a physical symbol of happiness in nursing, so I could think, "I have been happy in this career, and I will be again." Even the reminder to not dwell on the job during my off-time came in handy; the work anxiety is easier to manage when you have an outside life you look forward to.

You will collect all kinds of moments with all kinds of feelings in your first year of nursing. Accept them as they come and know that you will not just survive it; you will learn from it, grow from it, and even enjoy (some of) it.

Best of luck, AlmostThere19!

Thanks so much for the advice! I'll definitely keep it in mind whenever I'm feeling overwhelmed (which I'm sure I will - probably often).

57 minutes ago, Crash_Cart said:

Yup, you're going to be a nervous wreck. Everyone is that way at first, so let's just get that out of the way okay? ?

Just embrace it because the only thing that makes it better is time and experience.

At first you will be questioning yourself a lot. Sometimes you will draw a blank and start to panic. Try not to let that feeling overcome you and it will subside. Then your brain kicks in with more rational and logical thoughts.

You will find that as you repeat tasks, things will become easier. This is when you will start building confidence in yourself.

Eventually, you will be doing everything in your sleep. (figuratively speaking, or maybe not, depending on your work schedule lol)

Don't sweat it too much and just remember that everyone else has been where you are. You are going to be fine.

Thanks for the reassurance! I can't wait to get to the point where I'm comfortable and used to what I'm doing, but I know it will take time and patience (and lots of practice) to get there.

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

Glad to see you "made it there", Almostthere19!!

Go in with an open attitude, be willing to learn, and don't take much of it personally. People say stuff, that isn't actually against or about you, but some new folks get all hung up over it. Learn the culture of the unit, watch, listen, ask questions, and be helpful.

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).

I, too, want to wish you the best on your very first nursing job, AlmostThere. What an exciting time for you!

15 hours ago, AlmostThere19 said:

I was hoping to hear some stories from you guys about when you started your first nursing job, how it went, what to expect, etc.

I have a photograph from my first nursing job from over 35 years ago. All nurses wore white, except those who worked in OR and OB. Nursing caps were optional...

551966152_nurseydavey.png.00fbde1ba387dab8172c1c06074cd94d.png

.. and, of course, uniform styles have changed, but I still don my support hose before every shift!

I believe that if you look good, then you'll feel good, as I did on my first day working as a nurse.

Good luck, AlmostThere, because you're...

almost there!

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Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.

I started in a "stepdown ICU" (HA!) with six weeks of orientation (DOUBLE HA!)

Can't say I recommend either.

Realizing the amount of info you don't know is critical. It will take you a year not to feel like you're going to make a mistake at any moment, and a good second year to feel competent. Best of luck!

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Specializes in Community health.

I started my first job 6 months ago! It is in community health, not a hospital. It has been a good experience nursing-wise. By which I mean, the center itself is a mess, with tons of disorganization and poor communication. But the nurses are great (certainly no “eating your young” or that nonsense) and I am treated as a professional nurse, not like a new grad on probation. I have learned a LOT which results in me feeling like an idiot pretty often, and every “task/skill” I have done, I have screwed up at least once. Starting something new is always anxiety-producing, and you’ll have your ups and downs for sure, but fingers crossed it will be a great fit for you!

Also, when we were seeking our first jobs, a beloved professor told us: You can’t really make a bad choice. Wherever you start, you will learn a ton, and develop your nursing practice. You won’t be stuck or trapped, nothing is forever, and you can always change later.

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I’m working in a small community hospital on a surgical/acuity adaptable unit (we can take Med-Surg and IMC level patients). I’m going into week 3 of being on the unit with my preceptor (for about 1.5 months I’ll be day shift and then the rest of orientation I’ll be on night shift and transition into nights permanently). The first day I followed my preceptor around and did head to toe assessments, passed meds and some documentation. Yesterday was day 5 and I held the phone for coordinating patient care; did all patient care for 2 out of 4 patients (assessments, documentation, coordinating care, calling doctors and pharmacists). It was great experience to do so early on in orientation so I can learn what I need to work on. Had a sit down meeting with my preceptor, manager and nursing educator of the residency program and we discussed my strengths and weaknesses. They want me to start taking all 4 patients’ morning assessments and pass meds on my own with my preceptor there for support so I can learn how to manage my time. I have also done 2 admissions on my own as well. It really is a huge learning curve once you are out of school and actually working. You’ll be great! Just be up front about what your strengths and weaknesses are and your preceptor will help you. And if you think your preceptor is not helpful, advocate for yourself and request someone else.

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On 8/21/2019 at 4:32 PM, napswithcats said:

It's been maybe 1 month since I started my first job at a SNF and its been terrible to be quite honest. I'm very slow at passing my medications, a change of condition will ruin my day and I never go home on time. The paperwork, charting, and policies are still confusing and I have tons of audits. My 6 days of orientation wasn't very helpful. I cry every few days because its so overwhelming and I feel like I'm struggling to do the bare minimum and I wish I could do more for them. I always watched certain nurses and vowed to never be like them, now I am them. Some of my classmates have had very good experiences though. I guess it depends where you work and your ability to adapt. It's hard and it makes me miss nursing school when I THOUGHT that was stress. But every day you learn, every day you get better, just remember why you chose to be a nurse in the first place.

I had the same experience. I would also get panic attacks before coming in.

4 years later and I'm a strong critical care nurse. You just have to power through and get experience behind you. The first couple of years are rough but if you don't give up, you'll be ok.

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