Why do I feel like an idiot?

[2togo4rn]

I am a student with 2 quarters to go. Why do I still feel like I don't know anything? I know that nursing is a lot of ojt but I don't know if I'm learning what I need to know for boards etc... Please help relieve the nervousness:cry:

[sfsn]

Don't worry -- I remember saying that I learned more during my first few months on the job, than I did during all of nursing school! Once you start working, that's when things start to "click." We've all been there -- stick with it and you will do great!

[PianoGirl20]

If it makes you feel any better, I'm soon to be a junior in a BSN program and I have my moments where I really feel the same way-and the program I'm in is very good, so it's not that. Upon closer consideration of the issue (and realizing that I couldn't possibly be just stupider than everyone else in my class :chuckle), I decided that the reason I feel this way is because it is just this year that I have really started to scratch the surface of all the nursing knowledge there is! Rather than blissfully knowing nothing (like I did before I started nursing school), I know a little/some about a lot, which has only made me realize that there is a whole heck of a lot more to know about each of those subjects!

So yeah, I think that's where the feeling comes from...I guess the good thing about it is that it makes me more determined than ever to soak up all I can in class/clinical.

Just my

[SoundofMusic]

Don't worry -- like someone said here, things will literally pop out of your mind/brain and you won't believe it.

The nurses where I work, even though I'm off orientation, constantly remind me that nursing is all about asking questions and learning. They, veteran nurses, STILL have to ask questions and are constantly learning -- that's what nursing IS.

And they're always also telling me ....you're not "just" a new grad -- you know way more than you think you do.

But one stood out in my mind as she said, "Nursing is all about asking questions." Hmmmmmmm. ....

[tiggerdagibit]

I feel the same way! lol I'm in my 3rd semester of 5 and sometimes I just feel like a big dummy. I think I should know more than I do for being halfway through or that I should be able to remember everything over the past semesters, but I don't. Then I'll be watching tv and hear someone mention a procedure or a drug and I know what they are talking about! Even if it's only a vague recollection.. lol

I've talked to some of the nurses on my clinical units and most of them say that it comes with experience. I think that's true. For example.. we learned caths in 1st semester, but I haven't actually done one. I had the chance a couple weeks ago, but my mind went totally blank so my instructor did it while I watched. Now that I've seen it actually DONE on a pt instead of just a manikin, it's much more clear to me and I won't forget how to do it next time. I also think that the meds I give to pts stick in my head better than just learning about them from powerpoints in pharm. Things like that give me hope.