I am a new grad (graduated May) and part of a 3 month RN residency program (thank God!) I have only worked two shifts so far and they have been really good/busy/interesting/crazy but I never thought I would be this SCARED about starting on my own. I have experience as a CNA and nurse intern and even though I am paired up with a preceptor, I am still so nervous and just waiting to mess up...I know it sounds horrible and I need confidence I am just so scared I am going to make a med error, chart something wrong, or I don't know, do something unintentionally to harm my pt.!! Ahh this sounds so bad but it's the truth:(
I know I need to be confident in my skills and just calm down and not expect the worst but did any other new grads feel like this? I don't know how my nurse will go to the patient's rooms do dressing changes, assessments, listen to complaints/concerns, give meds, give prn meds, and a bunch of other interventions and then sit down and remember to chart them all! A pt. will ask when is it time for his next dose of morphine and she'll say "about 2 hours". I have to constantly look at my paper and see...It is so hard for me to store all this info in my head! Does this change with time?? I feel like the real world is NOTHING like clinicals...they give you ONE patient and when I look back it really is a joke because it doesn't compare AT ALL to having 5 patients! and constant getting admissions and discharges! (I work on a busy trauma floor)
Wow this is a long post and I really appreciate your time for reading it and givinng feedback...any experience RNs have any advice? Or any new grads feel the same?
I'm sorry to hear you're having a rough time....but I'm selfishly happy to know neither you nor I are in this boat alone. I am starting a new grad program this Monday, and I am scared out of my mind! I got a little taste of what it's like during my preceptorship for school, and I don't know how I am going to manage all of this information on my own . But from reading these boards it seems like many new grads feel this way, so we will just have to keep our heads up!
CaliGrl1204
14 Posts
I'm sorry to hear you're having a rough time....but I'm selfishly happy to know neither you nor I are in this boat alone. I am starting a new grad program this Monday, and I am scared out of my mind! I got a little taste of what it's like during my preceptorship for school, and I don't know how I am going to manage all of this information on my own
. But from reading these boards it seems like many new grads feel this way, so we will just have to keep our heads up!