Words of encouragement for new RN. (Long post)

[Junebug612, ADN, RN]

Preface:

I’m a new grad and finally started working... not on the floor yet. In a required course as new RN almost completed.

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Situation:

I haven’t been adjusting well.

My orientation days have been instense. My current orientation is a classroom setting. Exams and all.

I know I shouldn’t have expected orientation (classroom) to be a breeze. It’s not what I expected.

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•Diet: forgetting to eat; no appetite when I remember to eat

•Sleep: max of 4.5-5 hrs of sleep; some 2 hrs

•mentally: spacing out in the shower and when preparing everything for the next day

Tired, fatigued, overwhelmed, exhausted, nervous

Does anyone have any advice for a stressed out new grad?

[Davey Do]

Know that "this too shall pass."

Soon, Junebug, all this difficulty will be just another memory. Realize that the most difficult times in our lives make for the best future conversational topics.

We often set expectations and are not prepared for the unexpected. In nursing, and just about every other aspect of life, we need to "expect the unexpected". In expecting orientation to be a breeze, the unexpected monster reared its ugly head. Realizing the multiple variables of any given situation aids us in being prepared for dealing with that ugly-headed monster.

Put one foot in front of the other. Live in the now. Plan for what will come, like appetite. And, we should plan for the next day as we are actively preparing for the next day. Living in the now also helps us deal with anxiety, which is the result of a fear of future events.

Don't think and attempt sleep. Thinking will only stimulates our adrenals and we suffer from insomnia. We can turn off our thinking mind by silently saying a mantra, deep breathing, focusing on phosphenes- the images produced by the random firing of the optic nerve that occur when you close your eyes- and then fall to sleep.

The best to you, Junebug, and congratulations on your new job!

[Junebug612, ADN, RN]

3 hours ago, Davey Do said:

Know that "this too shall pass."

Soon, Junebug, all this difficulty will be just another memory. Realize that the most difficult times in our lives make for the best future conversational topics.

We often set expectations and are not prepared for the unexpected. In nursing, and just about every other aspect of life, we need to "expect the unexpected". In expecting orientation to be a breeze, the unexpected monster reared its ugly head. Realizing the multiple variables of any given situation aids us in being prepared for dealing with that ugly-headed monster.

Put one foot in front of the other. Live in the now. Plan for what will come, like appetite. And, we should plan for the next day as we are actively preparing for the next day. Living in the now also helps us deal with anxiety, which is the result of a fear of future events.

Don't think and attempt sleep. Thinking will only stimulates our adrenals and we suffer from insomnia. We can turn off our thinking mind by silently saying a mantra, deep breathing, focusing on phosphenes- the images produced by the random firing of the optic nerve that occur when you close your eyes- and then fall to sleep.

The best to you, Junebug, and congratulations on your new job!

Thank you so much!