Will be off orientation next week...No confidence..Want to pursue degree in sthelse

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Hello all:

I am a new Grad and I am about to come off orientation next week which I am not happy about... I work in a med surg unit and it is really busy and they still have paper charting. It really frstrates me for not being able to understand doctors handwriting and there is no understanding of what the plan of care to the patient is. In one case my patient was to be discharged and the doctor wrote discharge orders and the family was wanting to know why was she being discharge. I looked at the chart and there was no specific plan.... and there are lot of other issues like this I am so tired of dealing with and as an RN you are the sole person responsible for everything when in other hand you are not authorized to do most of the stuff.

So I am planning to pursue my studies in something else may be in IT what do you guys think about this, also please advise me in what I should do.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

No one here knows you well enough to advise you on what you should do with your life. However, most of us can tell you that NOBODY feels completely comfortable at the end of orientation -- and there is lots of scientific research to back that up.

Nursing is a complex activity, and it takes time and experience to "get the hang of it." The only way to become competent is to practice ... practice ... practice. Most people find that they start to feel more confident and secure in their practice around 6-9 months.

Is there anyone at work that you have established a positive relationship with? Are there some experienced nurses you can go to with questions when you need to? If so, then I would suggest you talk to them about your insecurities and try to determine whether your feelings are the normal beginner-level jitters ... or whether you are truly not able to handle the job. You also need to determine whether or not most new grads in that environment do OK after a few months or not. Combine all that information to help you make the decision as to your chances of being successful if you stick it out for a few months to give yourself a chance to grow into the role.

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And if you are really thinking about IT work, be prepared to move to India and work for peanuts. There's no IT job growth in the US anymore.

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.

You just spent all this time and money getting your nursing lic. not all places are like that. Why not find another place to work rather then just throw away your degree.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.

get some clinical experience and good references, and then move into informatics nursing (the it of nursing). you may benefit by gaining an additional degree and/or certs in that area so you can transition away from bedside nursing into information technology. try reading the nursing informatics forum for more information: https://allnurses.com/nursing-informatics/ gl!

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Hello guys

Thank you so much for all the replies I really appreciate it. Yes I got off orientation and still trying my best to be more experienced and think about it. Meanwhile I decided to work as a nurse and join my masters in Accounting starting coming spring 2012 let's see that's the plan but before that I got lots to do like GMAT and prerequisite . Hope I can make it. I love nursing but want to pursue a degree in Something else too so I will give it a try I guess.

Please comment and wish me luck.

Love ya all

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Specializes in geriatrics.

Everyone is nervous the first while. If you cannot read the Drs writing, you can't carry out the order. Don't be afraid to call them or ask for clarification.

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Specializes in ER, progressive care.

NO ONE feels 100% ready when they come off orientation. After awhile they just need to set you loose so you can spread your wings. And no orientation doesn't mean you're completely on your own - there will ALWAYS be someone there to help you and you can still ask questions! I have been on my own for awhile now it seems (though I only have 4 months of experience) and I'm always asking questions - some of them may be stupid, but I keep telling myself there is no such thing as a stupid question. A lot is on-the-job learning, and I would rather ask and be sure instead of only being "sort of sure."

I think after awhile you will begin to be able to "read" the MD's handwriting. Ask you coworkers or better yet, call the MD and ask for clarification. And not all hospitals have paper charting. I think by either 2013 (or was it 2015?) JCAHO is making it a requirement for hospitals to utilize an EMR and EMAR.

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