Worrying about what may or may not happen as LVN

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Hello everyone,

This may be a silly question to some, but I was wondering, for any of you that are currently an LVN/LPN (or any students for that matter), do you recall psyching yourself out, prior to school and/or starting your job, about all of the responsibilities (including the more personal area duties) of being an LVN/LPN, about possibly making a mistake, would you be able to do the job.... And find once you were in the job that you realized that you wasted a lot of time worrying for nothing?:confused:

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Specializes in LTC.

Yeah..and I *still* pysch myself out about making a mistake..which can be good..keep syou on your toes. Before school no I didn't..during and after yeah..after especially because I couldn't believe I was actually a nurse

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I psych myself out still...I have a little over one year experience, but I still get nervous at times, especially with skills such as caths. Some days are awesome and I go home feeling confident and happy and other days I go home thinking I messed every thing up!

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I hope and pray that when I find a job (that's another prayer) that I find I've worried for nothing! I promise I won't complain about wasting that time worrying :)

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Gosh I thought I was the only one who thought this. The LVN is the charge nurse, and everyone is relying on me. I honestly don't feel that I'm ready for that type of responsibility but I have to suck it up and do it because I have to start somewhere. But I also feel confident in my skills and my knowledge as a nurse. If I need help there are other nurses around that I can ask.

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Thank you for your message. How long have you been an LVN? How is it going? I find, from what I'm reading..., that I get really excited about going to LVN school and then scared about making any mistakes as an LVN. People aren't perfect and I know that mistakes happen, but I'm trying not to let this fear stop me before I even get started, trying being the key word. Its comforting when I get words of advice from people who feel or have felt the same way.

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Specializes in LTC.

When I was a new nurse I was so overwhelmed and terrified..it was like all Id learned went out the window. Things on the job were so different than what I was used to doing in school. I thought for sure I had just wasted all those years of school and all that money on something I couldnt even do. After my son was born..I had my maternity leave and went back..things finally just clicked immediately and I havent had near the amount of trouble I had before. I still get stumped on some things but if a coworker cant help me..i ask the boss...which is sometimes useless.....but eventually I get it . I have big trouble with starting IV's.....I get them sometimes...and sometimes I dont. Drawing blood was a huge problem for me...since they dont teach this in NC. Its not even in the program where I went...I had to learn it on the job. However, even though its harder for me....Ill still give it a shot and if I cant do it in 2 tries....I get someone else to try...I jump at the chance for practice.

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Specializes in Mostly LTC, some acute and some ER,.

Psyching yourself out to a small level is actually healthy. You are more cautious that way.

Remember this. . .any nurse that tells you they have never made a med error is lying to you. Mistakes will happen in your career. I have had my fair share already. Just be careful not to make them. When you do make them, honesty is the best policy.

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You already know what to do! Just do what you are taught. I know you do not believe this, but just keep going! You will do great and no matter how you feel about co-workers.....just do what you know is right. After 20 years of being a nurse....I know that no matter where I work or in what environment, it all comes down to me and my nursing eithics. I think you will be fine with that LOL.

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You already know what to do! Just do what you are taught. I know you do not believe this, but just keep going! You will do great and no matter how you feel about co-workers.....just do what you know is right. After 20 years of being a nurse....I know that no matter where I work or in what environment, it all comes down to me and my nursing eithics. I think you will be fine with that LOL.

Thank you for the support!!

How when you first started, as a nurse, did you feel overwhelmed and if so for how long until you'd say it clicked?

What do you recall really struggling with the most?

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