Uneasy new grad...Help!

[MNnurse828]

Hey everyone...

I recently graduated from nursing school in December, took and passed my boards in January and began working as an RN in February. I went through 6 weeks of orientation, which went great, and recently started on my own. Since I started on my own, I feel overwhelmed and terrified when I come to work. It is so scary having so much responsibility! I am working on a med-surg unit, which I have decided is not the type of nursing I want to do for the rest of my life.

What I'm wondering is, does everyone feel this way when they first start on their own as a new nurse?? If so, when will I start feeling better about it? I really enjoy nursing, but now I sometimes feel like maybe it's not what I really want, at least in med-surg...

Please let me know your thoughts!! I really appreciate it!

[1ICURN]

Congrats! Nursing is an awesome career, especially when you find your passion. I, too, felt unprepared and overwhelmed when I started (most nurses do) but every day you learn something new and before you know it, you will be helping others like yourself. You were smart to start in Med/Surg. I went straight into the ICU as a new nurse. I wouldn't recommend it, as I truly didn't have the foundation I needed. However, most ICU nurses are very protective of their young, and they completely took me under their wing. We are very team-oriented and all help each other. Yes, it's stressful, tiring, and I still pray every day before work, but on most days, I love it, and I'd recommend the ICU with a year of Med-Surg then preferably also a year of PCU/tele. Try to be patient, take one day at a time, KNOW WHO YOU CAN USE AS A REFERENCE, and DON'T MAKE ANY MOVES YOU'RE UNSURE OF. You'll gain the confidence to make your own decisions when you're more experienced. No one expects you to know everything. Ask your charge nurse if you don't find support around you. Have a 1 year and a 5 year plan in place. Get all the education you can. Ask your charge nurse if you can observe in other areas (ICU, L&D, Cath Lab - whatever interests you). Talk with those managers. Pick their brains about requirements & opportunities. Listen to what they say - not just what you want to hear. You will do well in nursing because you're intelligent, conscientious, and not over-confident. Take care

[Cammer]

I can do nothing but repeat everything that 1ICURN stated above. I also graduated in December, took my boards in February. Like 1ICURN, I also started in the ICU. Everything that 1ICURN stated was absolutely true. Don't take chances, don't be afraid of asking questions, know who your good resource people are.

However, in my mind the jury is still out on the commonly cited requirement of a year of med-surg before ICU. Personally, I am doing fine, but I have the advantage of many years as a paramedic, both in the hospital and in the field. It could be just what is really needed is some kind of responsible patient contact experience. Not as a tech/aide, but in a decision making role where one could become accustomed to critical thinking.

Welcome to nursing MNnurse! So far I like it a lot.

[MNnurse828]

Thanks so much for your replies!! I have only put in 5 shifts on my own but boy have I learned a lot in those 5 shifts!! I have definitely learned who I can go to with questions!! I appreciate knowing that I'm not alone in feeling this way!! I would love to do either ICU or ER nursing sometime in the near future. Thanks again, take care!

[allendit]

Hi New Grad:

You seem to have a bone with being a medsurg nurse. This is the backbone of all nursing area, regardless of what any one will say. Been there done that. Now on being a new nurse--it's the same for most of us. This is a new area and as soon as you become comfortable with the environment and your peers you will be sailing through everything as if it was second nature. Just keep up with your duties and your responsibilities as a prof nurse,create good work ethics, then every thing will be just fine.

love, didi;:luck:

[NavyJim58]

I almost quit 50 times in my first few months of working full time as a nurse on a med/surg unit. But nothing helps like experience and over time I became comfortable and soon found myself helping new nurses who came after me adapt. Personally I don't think new grads belong in the ER or ICU but unfortunately that is happening today. I have even seen new grads hired as PRN help. talk about askng for trouble. Hang in there......it will get better......trust me.

[nursecrow]

When I was in nursing school I swore I would NEVER be a Med-Surg RN. When I applied for my first hospital job, the only openings were on MS unit. Three years later I am still working the same unit. I have floated to Tele, ICU, Ortho, PCU and I have to say that MS is still my favorite. Each specialty offers different things to different nurses. No one specialty is "better" than another. Please remember that. I often feel like the 'red-headed stepchild' of the hospital. MS RN's are very strong nurses. Don't dismiss it yet. Sorry for the tangent. Good luck and LOVE whatever you end up doing.

[Neversettle71]

MNNurse,
See all of the support you have!!! Not all nurses eat their young. My experience is a repeat of ICUnurse and Cammer. Just remember, you can always find someone here to talk to. Hang in there

[RNinVT]

Congrats on getting your RN and good luck with your career. I actually graduated last year and worked at a couple of nursing homes before heading straight into maternal/child at the hospital. I think med-surg is great for the experience and I would've taken the job in a heartbeat.Imagine all the great variety of experiences you can gain on that floor. It's never easy being the new one, no matter how much experience you have. Just have a great preceptor, soak in however much information you can get, and don't do anything without first questioning it and checking it. This can prevent a lot of errors. I have a 3 month training period in my area, due to it being a specialty, and its great to know that you have a backup person to ask questions if ever you have any.