1year RN, I think I hate it. Advice?

limaRN, BSN, RN · Mar 15, 2013

I felt like this at about 1 yr as well. When I was really new I wasn't as afraid to ask questions because I could give myself more of a break...( ie I've only been doing this for a month it's ok I don't know it yet!!). But when I got to around 1 yr I started to get frustrated with myself. Like I SHOULD know how to do something since I've been at it for a whole year!! I am sure people talked about me too. However, I stuck it out because at the end of the day I more liked my job than hated it. I was so scared of making a mistake and had pretty bad anxiety too. But at the end of 3 yrs now in the same specialty I'm so much more comfortable and feel that I could handle most anything. I absolutely still ask for advice from more experienced nurses but have developed more of a thicker skin because I know I'm a good nurse and am more confident in my knowledge.

So, I guess what I'm saying is stick it out!! You're at an awkward time and, yes, you're still a new nurse. Look back at all the progress you've made over the last year. Look at all the things you didn't know a year ago that you do now! Think about all the progress you'll continue to make over the next year. Give it more time.. I didn't start to feel really comfortable until about 2-2.5 yrs. Now that I'm more comfortable I have less anxiety and can actually enjoy the job like I hoped I was going to. :)

lmccrn62, MSN, RN · Mar 16, 2013

You need to give yourself time. As a nursing instructor I always tell my students find a med surg job, build your skills and confidence. Then look for a job in a specialty. I personally don't like that they take new graduates into specialties. It's often very intimidating. My suggestion is get a plan and stick with it. Read, research and go to conferences. You will find your niche just don't expect it to be perfect at first!

bebbercorn · Mar 16, 2013

I recently read that it takes 18 months to perfect skills at a job and 10 years to get there in your career... so you could be way ahead of schedule! I agree with above posters, give it more time. At 18 months I had gotten into a really good flow with standing orders, what to expect for our common dx's, our MD's personalities, etc., and I still have so much to learn! You haven't given yourself enough time... cut yourself a break! Try ER for a year it can help you over all, assessments, speed, dealing with the toughest of pressures!

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Mar 16, 2013

It takes time to become comfortable as a new nurse....6-12 months is the norm, sometimes it is longer. ER is whole different bear of nursing and even a nurse with some experience will feel like a new grad again. You need to give yourself some time.

As for the job hopping, that may hinder you with future job opportunities. Candidates who job hop often present a red flag for potential employers, so keep that in mind. I would stick it out in the ER for a year and get your skills down and experience!

Ruby Vee, BSN · Mar 16, 2013

I've been a practicing RN for a year now. Im afraid I hate it. I started in med/surg for 6 months. I did 3 months in psych and now I'm 3 months in to ER. Im ashamed of my job hopping. I just can't find a way out of the anxiety of going to work. I am petrified of facing things I don't know. I'm novice and I DON'T know much yet. I think that may be what makes me feel I don't belong in nursing. I did well in nursing school but now I feel so clueless and embarrassed that I'm the RN and I don't know how to recognize things not do I know my skills very well. It's inadequacy that frightens me the most! It's the fact that im sure people are talking about me not knowing. How do get over this? Will it get better? Will my job hopping prevent me from getting a non bedside RN job one day? I have no option, I have to continue this career. For my family, my school debt, the shear embarrassment of failure. But I'm scared I will be that nurse who doesn't know crap. Because I've heard how people talk about other clueless nurses.

One of the reasons you don't know anything yet is that you keep job hopping. Wherever you are, STAY for at least two years because your job hopping WILL cause you problems down the road. The first year of nursing is very, very difficult and you've made it worse by not staying in one specialty or one job long enough to become competent.

Cluelessness absolutely does get better -- really. All it takes is tincture of time. But when you keep changing specialties, you keep adding to that time. After you've been in your current specialty for a year or so, you'll start feeling more comfortable. And after two years, you'll be competent. For now, you ARE the nurse who doesn't know C.R.A.P. You're new, and everyone expects that. But if you stay where you are, you'll start learning and one day you'll realize that you DO feel confident in some or even most situations. As far as being afraid to go to work -- that's normal, too, and it passes. With time.

Good luck. Nursing is a great career, and it's given me a wonderful life. I hope your experience is similar.