Will I ever feel confident?

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Sep 14, 2011

My first instinct was to say-

"No- we're all out here terrified and immobilized" BUT, you will get through this (if not, doctors would be taking care of patients- and none of us wants THAT!!!). Being scared is very normal- and as you get into your own rhythm of doing things, and used to the type of patients you take care of, the jitters go and the confidence gets better :) :up: :heartbeat

Being a nurse is a process- not an event :)

Katie5 · Sep 14, 2011

Yes you will:). It comes with practise, expertise and a conviction that you know what you're doing.

Pixiesmom, BSN, RN · Sep 15, 2011

Being a nurse is a process- not an event :)

So very true!

ICU, RN, BSN, B.S. · Sep 15, 2011

Hello Everyone, I just recently graduated (Aug. 22, 2011) and I am scared out of my wits. I have an interview in the morning for a position on the Telemetry floor and I take my NCLEX on Sept. 26, 2011. I am so afraid to be on my own, will I ever feel confident in myself, does this feeling ever get better. Any advice on the "New Nurse Syndrome" would be helpful.:redbeathe

Yes you will... give it a couple years. I felt very confident (still always asking questions and learning though) at about 2 years....was on a medical/tele floor for almost 3 years...now in the ICU..and I feel like a new grad again haha. I'm wondering the same thing about being in the ICU and when I will feel comfortable. People say 3-5 years for the ICU. ahhh. It's been 2 months. lol.

Good luck on your NCLEX. You'll pass.

-Michelle

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Sep 15, 2011

hello everyone, i just recently graduated (aug. 22, 2011) and i am scared out of my wits. i have an interview in the morning for a position on the telemetry floor and i take my nclex on sept. 26, 2011. i am so afraid to be on my own, will i ever feel confident in myself, does this feeling ever get better. any advice on the "new nurse syndrome" would be helpful.:redbeathe

the answer to your question is "yes." you will. but don't settle for that. keep learning and challenging yourself with new goals or new directions.

after 15 years in icu, i made a change in nursing direction. i went out of my comfort zone and went into a totally different nursing field. whoa, after years of feeling competent/knowledgeable, and confident, i went into a new field where i knew nothing and felt like a total idiot. it was hard, and very uncomfortable, but now i have a new skills set and am even more marketable than ever. it took time and a leap of faith.

remember this quote-i do every day:

"if you're not uncomfortable, you're not growing."

it's true-if you get too comfortable, too "expert," it's time to branch out and learn something new, grow, and be "uncomfortable" for a little while. you won't regret it.

jujuseah, RN · Sep 15, 2011

you can try googling guide to a newly graduated nurse

RNdiva505 · Sep 15, 2011

I am still a new grad and on my own on a med/surg floor. Still very nervous, but confidence is brewing in my blood every day that I work. I still ask many questions though cuz it is better to be safe than sorry! lol

One step at time:

Pass the Nclex= confidence booster

Getting the job= confidence booster

Getting off nursing orientation= confidence booster

So according to other threads.....1-2 yrs of being a nurse equals confidence and you can't argue with that!

Good luck :nmbrn:

bsyrn, ASN, RN · Sep 15, 2011

Being a nurse is a process- not an event :)

love love love this....hope you don't mind but I will be using it with my students

Chaya, ASN, RN · Sep 15, 2011

And confidence is a process. I remember after a few months encountering a situations and just having the realization that I knew what to do and that it would work. Good luck!