9 replies to this topic

[karenjway]

I am about to enter into my second year of training to be an RN. When will it finally click. I still feel like I have no idea what I am doing.

[NawlinsGirl]

Hi Karen,

Dont feel alone. We all felt the same way you do when we were in nursing school. I, personally didnt start feel like it was clicking until i got out of nursing school and working as a nurse. So dont fret.. it will all come together in due time. I think nursing school just gets your feet wet anyway... Im sure all the other nurses will agree with me... LETS SEE THEIR POST AND SEE HOW THEY FEEL....

NAWLINSGIRL

[3boyzmom]

Some days I STILL don't click!!! It'll be fine, don't worry. It'll come.

[nursetracy]

Everything started to click for me at the end of 4th semester when I did my preceptorship.

[karenjway]

Thanks, I just feel like I am not getting much practical experience. While I have your ears, or at least your eyes, I have always had difficulty with Respiratory Rates. I don't know why, it is so basic, yet I have such a hard time with it. The rest of the skills, I have all but mastered. Any tips or secrets?

[ladybugj]

i don't think you will ever feel like you are getting enough practical experience. where i went to school, the clinical instructors hadn't worked on a pt care floor in ages, we were at a location 1 day a week for 8 hours. it took longer to complete all of the nonsense paperwork the prof's wanted. i think nursing school is to expose you to what is out there. i don't think your professors expect you to master any skill (except bathing and hospital corners, ha ha). in the actual work place you will gain the skill needed and learn how to best prioritize your assignment. this takes time, i still feel over my head sometimes. you will be fine, you are never alone in nursing.

[mattsmom]

I believe nursing is a field where we never will know it all..there is constant change and something new to learn every day. Every week I have a new piece of paperwork or a protocol to memorize...seriously!!

Try not to worry and fret...use good common sense and good judgment, and stay on good terms with your patients as much as possible...be a sponge and pick the brains of your approachable nurse preceptors whenever you can! As a new grad, try to find one friendly, experienced nurse to be your mentor...they will help you as you adjust to your role. You will do fine...don't be too hard on yourself!

[savannah]

I am about to enter into my second year of training to be an RN. When will it finally click. I still feel like I have no idea what I am doing.

hi karen, i also didnot feel it all came together until i started working. then it all clicked.do let the turkeys intimidate you. you've made it through the first year and half of the second.that proves you have the mettle.my class lost 50% between end 1st semester and start of 2nd semester.savannah

[AndreaP]

We're supposed to know what were doing?? Hmm, I've been lost all this time. The more you work, the more you recognize things, and are able to do things comfortably. I still am full of questions im sure the veteran nurses are absolutely annoyed with me always asking "do you think i should call the doc about this one." When i have just found a lab result at 2am that i dont know if anyone else saw. It all comes with time.

good luck

[ladybugj]

since i work the nite shift, i, too question what warrents calling the doc straight away and what can wait til the am. i love that our hospital has alpha paging system so if it is something they need to be informed of or a question i can page them the result/question. this way if they are sleeping, they have a chance to get an answer before calling back. if it is just a lab result (2am blood glucose levels are big at our hospital), i tell them to call back only if there is an intervention, otherwise, they are simply informed. the thing to remember is we are always accountable for our pts, so when in doubt, call the doc. if they get ticked off, too bad, this is the profession they are choosing to persue.