I teared up watching this. You hit the nail on the head; I cry every shift, I have dreams about codes, I am terrified to go to work, I've questioned my career choice, I feel dumb everyday, reporting is horrible lol. I'll save this video and give myself the 6 months. 🙏😅
@@mrsminchinnn5447 I’m a new grad! I get my assessments done no later than 8:15, then I have time to chart before med pass, writing important things down during the day to help me remember things for report and important tasks. For example (I make alarms in my phone for important tasks for example blood draw at 4 pm)… I have a couple of sheets that I think are very helpful if you would like me to email them to you! One is a report sheet that I found super helpful. I was all over the place when giving report before lol. It takes time to grasp your own rhythm. You will get there. No one is perfect at time management. I have improved on these skills with tips from fellow nurses and finding my own tricks.
New grad here! Recently had my first buddy shift on my unit as an RN...after my shift I called my boyfriend sobbing and asked him why I picked nursing over being a ✨Government girly✨. My "reasons" being being a nurse don't seem to make sense anymore. I get anxious days before my shift set even begins, I constantly feel like an idiot and a burden to the other nurses, I feel less skilled than my other new grad counterparts, and I honestly just want to quit. Thank god RUclips has shown me that I'm not alone. This video has given me the hope I so desperately need.
Not knowing things is so exhausting. I have pre-shift anxiety, post-shift anxiety, and just panic during the shift. It’s so scary and I wish it could fast forward to the part when I know what’s happening.
I watch this video often. I just finished my first week out of orientation and I am a nervous wreck!!!!!! I wake up anxious, go through the shift anxious, go home thinking about charting or random things I feel like I missed. Omg. Praying it gets better.
It will get better. So sorry it is rough right now. i remember feeling that. Honestly exercise was so so helpful with dealing with the anxiety in those early months. even just a walk outside was a game changer.
Ser X WORLDS DIFFERNT. After 10 months on a med/surg unit I transferred to labor and delivery and absolutely LOVE it. Even after about 6 months on med/surg things got easier. Thank God ♥️
im 5 minutes into this video and all ive been doing is nodding my head going "yup' that shit right there" god its refreshing to know im not the only one with these thoughts.
I am crying watching this. It is such a huge transition. Last night I was thinking what else I'd do if not nursing bc I have no plan B, this is all I wanted in life. Now that I'm here I am such a mess and feel stupid ALL THE TIME. Also, my fiance' is deployed overseas he left in Jan. so I've been going at this, what feels like alone because I started my first RN job a month after he left. I knew that all these things were coming and that it'd be hard but now that I am here it sucks worse than I was mentally prepared for. Thank you so much for this video and the encouragement. Here's to the first 6 months.
@@kristellvilla it did get better, I gained more confidence and knowledge. I did have to give up bedside due to an injury though. Looking back at my comment I remember how horrible that feeling was.
I’m currently 6 months in the ER as a brand new nurse. I’ve been on my own for about 2 months now. Some days are better than others, lately feels like more bad days, feeling stupid and inadequate more often and I’m finding myself contemplating my next career move 😅 leaving work in tears this morning, spent too much money at Walmart (sad shopping) and then found this video. Feeling disillusioned and stupid for being so bright eyed and positive and excited about being a nurse. Thanks for giving me some hope.
Oh no, I wish you the best of luck. I felt the same was at my first job. And going back to nursing after many years off and feels so anxious like I did in the beginning.
@@slickvic1604 things are a lot better now. I’m still working in the same ER. I’m much more comfortable and confident in my skills and assessment. There are still rough days, I most assuredly do not know everything. BUT my leadership puts me with new nurses to help train all the time, so I tell myself I must be doing something right. Good luck to you, and hang in there. I’m glad I saw this notification because reading my comment really gave me some perspective about how far I’ve come.
That's me right now, I hate going to work, I cry coming in, I cry on my way out, I hate my job. I'm 3 weeks in and I want to quit, my boss keeps telling me this is normal to feel the way I'm feeling. I can't imagine anybody else feeling the way I am.
I feel that way! I am 6 months in and the pandemic is crushing us. I had 8 the other day. It’s exhausting and I hate it. Half my class has quit nursing. Not the bedside-nursing.
I just started on a cardiac/tele/stroke/Covid floor and I dread going to work everyday. I get so terrified at the fact that I'm not prepared to adequately handle every situation. I would get really excruciating headaches d/t increased anxiety. This video gives me so much ease knowing that all the negative and scary feelings I'm experiencing currently is relatable. Thank you for this video!
Thank you for this… I’ve been a nurse for 5 months now, new grad, brand new, on a CVIMCU floor, take 4 patients on day shift, 3 days in a row, and I related to all of this. ICU senior practicum and being a CNA for 2 years prior to school, couldn’t have prepared me for these things! I feel the lowest in my life then I’ve ever felt. I’m struggling! And struggling to admit it, but I’m gonna give it 6 more months. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Every time I have a terrible shift, I come back to this video, thank you for being so real and honest, makes a world of difference to a new grad baby RN
Hi Liz. I’m sobbing hard right now because I’m so so close to writing my resignation letter even though I’m still on my 2nd week as a new nurse. I feel so so dumb everyday and I made dumb mistakes that even made the senior nurse scold me for making these dumb mistakes and even said that her evaluation of me is someone who have no presence of mind and no common sense. I am normally an anxious person and it worsened when I hear no encouragement but instead gained more harsh critics that broke my confidence so much. Nursing is a calling and I’m still yet to fall in love in this profession. Earlier I even thought of just being a bank teller and ditch nursing just to get my mental health back. I am still considering it but you said to give it atleast 6 months. So I will. I honestly cried the whole day after my shift and I have no one to confide my frustrations and hurt. Im glad I found your video Liz because at this point I feel sick to my stomach and just want to quit. I’ll be back for any updates. Thank you for making me feel like what I am feeling now is valid. Because like others, I have no plan B. 6 months… I’ll give it 6 months…
I'm so sorry you had such a rough experience. It seems like those that should have supported you haven't and gosh that hurts. 😢 Any updates will be great. I'm currently going through the same feeling of hopelessness. Every day that seems like it went well ends in a disaster due to random pop ups discharge etc ughh I feel so out of place sometimes
Hi everyone! This is lovely and I'm here to bring you updates. Not long after I wrote my previous comment, I went to the clinical supervisor and expressed my frustrations. Thankfully, she understood me and had me take a break for the whole day. I was a sobbing mess when we talked because I was honestly scared to go back to work and meet the people who I told on her. She promised to move me to other areas. And the next day, she made me choose where I wanted to go- either DR or NICU. I chose NICU and I love every single day of saving newborn babies. To be honest, the work in the NICU is much more complicated, delicate and tiring compared to my previous area. But what really helped me fell in love with being a nurse is the environment, and my workmates. And time really flies when you're having fun. I'll be celebrating my anniversary as a nurse by January and I'm excited! So, to all fresh grad nurses out there, Liz is right! It gets better! So choose your environment properly because that's what I did and I've been much happier. God bless you all
I'm having such a hard time. I feel like an idiot most of the day. I feel like I can't talk to my husband about it anymore because he doesn't want to listen to me complain about work all the time
This is VERY true. And it definitely gets better. I found the first 6 months were overwhelming. The next 6 months you still feel uncertain but not as out to sea. After 1-2 years you will find confident and settled. Hang on there...you can do it.
I’m about a month off of orientation as a new grad in the ICU and I totally agree with everything you said. I was at the top of my class in nursing school and remember my first day in the ICU - I could not recognize any piece of equipment, my patient was brain dead, family was at the bedside sobbing, and and I had no idea what I was supposed to do for this patient. Luckily, my preceptor essentially held my hand the entire time. What a first day! 😂
Thank you for this video. I was a LPN in long term care for 11 years before "going back" to get my RN. I thought maybe my experience would help me, but it really hasnt helped all that much because I'm in acute care in a hospital which is completely different than LTC. I finished school in Dec, started my job in Jan and today was my 3rd day off of orientation, so I'm on my own. I feel SO STUPID every day! I am physically and emotionally exhausted, and even though my fiancé is wonderful and he listens, i cant articulate the level of stress I feel every single day, and even if I could, he doesnt work in Healthcare so he doesnt understand. Just like I dont understand a thing about when he talks about his job which is putting gas pipes in the ground. But anyway, I am so glad to know I'm not the only one. Everything you said is so freaking accurate. Because i have literally thought to myself many times, "I should have just stayed a LPN". I've cried in the bathroom at work. I've come home feeling like a zombie, like actually numb. And i just keep thinking- how am I going to do this for another like 30 years, well more accurately is how am I going to make it through the next day. I pray it will get better, like you said. When I got my first job as a LPN, i was on orientation for 3 days and then tbey said ok your on your own this weekend, and I had 20 patients. And i did it. In that sink or swim situation, I swam, and I swam very well. Maybe I just need to get out of the LPN mindset because we are so task focused. Idk, i just hope it *gets better soon*. Thanks for the video and for the opportunity for me to vent lol
Yes to trying a new unit! I felt better about nursing by the 6 month mark but then started to feel worse and worse -- ended up leaving my first unit after a year and a half (for another unit at my hospital) and it's made a world of difference. It's worth trying something new if you feel your current situation isn't right.
New grad in the ICU. And I feel this. I’m only a few weeks in and I already want to quit and crying before work. Trying to push through but my anxiety is so much. Thank you for putting this out there, it does help to know I’m not alone. ♥️
Omg you literally took the words out of my mouth...I was so excited to start my career and then I actually started and I was like oh my goodness I did not expect to feel this way at all. I want to enjoy going to work, but I’m so anxious and overwhelmed that I dread going. I’m a new grad in the pediatric ICU and the fear of making a mistake controls me!! I’m so glad I stumbled on this video. I needed to hear this!
Thank you so much for this video. I’m on orientation week 7/10 working with a preceptor guiding me. I dream about work and wake up stressed and nauseas. You are so calming and I’m so relieved to know I’m not alone
started my first nursing job 2 weeks ago and ive never experienced soooooo much anxiety in my life. EVER! ... i thought going through nursing school was hard, boy was I wrong. I really do hope these next few months fly by bcuz im ready to not be an anxious wreck all the time. Thank you for the pep talk and will sure come and listen to it often. Again, THANK YOU!
New nurse, I’m leaving this comment to come back in 6 months bc this is exactly how I feel right now. Orientation was actually a breeze. The first week alone wasn’t too bad either and then all of a sudden it got bad and I felt overwhelmed. I barely finish on time and I’m always wondering if I charted everything correctly to not get sued. I am coming back in 6 months to see how it feels then 🙏🏼
@@febirigor9478 it was tough to say! I stayed at the SNF for those 6 months and was still debating switching careers but then I switched to home health and clinic setting and I love those so much more! I def still feel overwhelmed at times but nothing like the SNF..
@Ngomedann thank you for keeping up, it feels nice knowing there’s nurses who care. My first job was a SNF and I stayed there for the 6 months to see if it’ll get better.. it didn’t (coworkers were horrible and job still felt overwhelming) so I switched to clinic and home health and I’m so much happier :)
@@escazkaban I feel this way everyday I come home from work. What's painful is when the nurse manager told me I'm not cut out to be a nurse bec im just book-smart and lack critical thinking skills. I'm only a little over a month orientation. 😢
I will definitely rewatch this when I start my first job in May (after graduating with my BSN). I have kinda had these feelings during clinicals sometimes though because I tend to get anxious very easily. I love the nursing profession but I have this fear that I won't be a safe nurse for my patients. I need to give myself the 6 months as you said
I am going on my third month on my own as a nurse and it's been HARD. But I am finally starting to feel less anxious and I like my job more everyday. It DOES get better!!
This is so comforting. My granddaughter starts her 6th month of a 12 month acclerated BSN to RN 2nd degree program. Much of her classes have been on-line due to covid19. I am sure her entire class will have similar self-doubts. Especially as they have not been able to do clinicals.
Proud update. Seven months through the 12 month course she has a 4.0 and has been offered a residency at a premium hospital in countrys third largest city. She wants to explore all opportunities so has not yet decided a specific discipline.
Finished my 3rd week of 12 hour shifts and my goodness everyday I feel like I got hit by a truck out of nowhere, if the morning goes well, the afternoon goes down the drain, then the morning starts off sooo bad and afternoon becomes better. The smallest things take forever I blank out half the time, I can't answer some patient questions properly or as thoroughly as I want. 😢 Gosh this is such a rough start but this video made me realize I'm not the only one
Not an RN yet but I’ve been a tech for 2 months now and oh my goodness I still relate to this 100%!!! I suffer from severe anxiety and depression so this transition state was much harder for me. But it’s getting better.
I am a new grad. 5 months in. I work in float pool and cry after many shifts still. I have feelings that I hate nursing but then some shifts are okay/good and then everything in between. There’s a lot of learning with every shift which I’m very grateful for but it’s still super rough. I’m going to hang on for a while longer to get more experience and see how I feel closer to a year. Thanks for this video!
Liz I watched this video before I even entered clinicals and now, I'm a new grad nurse watching it again. Oh my word is everything you said so true (maybe expect for the feeling confident out of school part haha), but because of this video and the other nurses I talked to, I feel like I was really prepared to feel this way. Does that make it better? No, but it makes me feel much more impervious to the shock and imposter syndrome I feel like so many of me peers are struggling with!
Omg thank you for this. I am a new nurse in the ED at a trauma 1 center and it’s so hard. It sucks not knowing things during hectic situations and people look at you crazy. It’s overwhelming, and it breaks my heart when people are annoyed with you. I wanted to come home and quit today. I cried coming home. I googled new grad struggles andI found you. Thank you, I will see what happens in 6 months
So far, my preceptor told me that the ED is not for me because I ask too many questions and emergency is about doing and asking questions later. They sent me to a medsurge floor for a day which I hated and I told them I don’t like it and would like to return to the ED. They gave me a new preceptor who always said good job and encouraged me even when I felt dumb. I am now finally off orientation and I am able to take care of patients on my own. Everyone is just so happy for me because they saw that what needed was just someone caring to help me out. It gets better. Now I am confident and can handle critical patients. When I panick, I just ask for help. I also come back home and google treatments I don’t understand. So hang in there, like my new preceptor told me, “you’re not dumb, they are just experienced, you will get there. Hold you head high, you deserve to be here”. I hold unto her words dearly. Best preceptor that changed my outlook on things
Wow, your story is so similar to mine. I wish I had heard this 15 years ago, when I was starting off. I thought I was the only one. I've never heard another nurse describe my story in the way you did. My experience especially that first year has affected why I don't like working in the hospital much today. I barely slept through that first year. Along the way, I had other hospital experiences and became a maternal-child health manager (and did peds and school nursing), and even ER nursing, which I actually really liked, even if it was a high stress environment. Today I am a nurse manager in my place of employment, and am about to be a clinical instructor. But to hear your story has been very helpful to me in processing my own experience. And my negative experience with my first preceptor taught me a lot of how I don't want to be, and conversely, how I want to encourage my students. Thank you for sharing this, and it makes me realize it is important to have this conversation at some point with my students and not be ashamed of my own journey, and it is true, it is much better now.
Wow! I literally cried throughout this entire video. You said exactly what I am going through. I have horrible anxiety before work and I have never experienced that before, even in nursing school. I don’t love my job but I’ve been working for two months on a Neuro medsurg unit and it isn’t easy at all. as an LPN there aren’t any NICU jobs for me and I want to do that. Hopefully when I get my RN next year I can transition. Thank you for the insight!
I'm glad I watched this video. I've watched hundreds of nurse videos here on RUclips and You are the first nurse that ever voiced every single thought that a new nurse might face when on their first job alone. Every nurse says it's hard but you actually went into detail of how hard it is. "Where are the ice packs?...where is this? Where is that? Do I page? What am I looking for? What do i do next?" So many thoughts and questions pop up just to complete one task just for one patient, i wouldve gotten extremely anxious and start doubting myself.
I thought the same thing! It’s the first time I’m hearing someone describe these anxious thoughts in detail. So helpful! It feels like someone truly understands me
Thank you for this encouragement. I am crying right now because you described pretty much what I am feeing right now. I have started on the floor on my own now after finishing the new grad program for 8 wks and I feel so overwhelmed and feel like I am failing majority of the time. Also, it doesn’t get any easier that I am pregnant trying to do all this. I had an experienced nurse talk to me today and just validated what I am feeling, but she told me to keep pushing. Anyway, I appreciate your post and its encouraging and heart warming to know that there are people out there who are up lifting and encouraging those who feel low.
I’m so sorry you’re feeling this way and on top of being pregnant!!! I understand though, I am crying on days I’m not on orientation. It’s really hard. And I’ve only finished my first week! We can both do it! I believe in us!
This was a nice pep talk liz! I started my career in a skilled rehab/LTC facility where the ratio was 1 nurse to 32 residents. I had 4 weeks orientation and I felt unprepared everyday. I would have a panic attack in the car before going in because I was so overwhelmed. I would work 3 to 11 but not get out until 1230 a.m. Then I became a pro and started orienting people after 5 months. I since left for the icu and found it's my niche and I'm not as overwhelmed. Can't believe that was 4 years ago!
I’m also starting out at a skilled! It is so unbelievably overwhelming to me right now at 1 month in, I’m just now starting to have shifts without an orienting nurse. Thanks for sharing!
Im 4 weeks working on my own and im overwhelmed i stay on my feet for 8hrs straight with no lunch break and leaving late suw to charting and signing the mar takes 2hrs unbelievable
I just had my second shift on the med-surg unit and made my first mistake...i felt awful the rest of the shift, luckily my preceptor comforted me and was so nice about it! Gosh, i hope to have a better shift next time :(
Hi Liz, I just started as an RN on a Cardiology unit 2 months ago as a new grad. I have been really struggling with the transition. Nursing felt like it was everything I ever wanted in a career until I started it... Everything you just said in your video could have been my words exactly. I could not relate more. This video was everything I needed to hear right now. I feel some hope for the first time in weeks after watching your video. I'm relieved to know I'm not alone. Thank you for talking about this and for giving some supportive words. It will get better. (I have hopes to become an NP as well someday so I look forward to watching your other videos)
I am a brand new pre-nursing student. I work on a neuro/stroke unit as a nurse tech and I am feeling like a train wreck. I experienced my 1st patient death and I am sad this week. I work with wonderful staff and wish I could make my rounds more time efficiently will be more helpful @ Nurse Liz I so needed this mental check up. Thank you!
This was perfect and perfect timing! I just hit my 5 month mark as a new night RN who is also going to school full-time to get my BSN. I have been experiencing those blues and lots of anxiety prior to my shifts. I should also mention I am not a night owl at all. Then on my last shift we had our first code blue on the floor since I started. Then one of my patients fell and his family member was also working on the floor too so I felt like even more of a failure then my other patient turned into a code gray. That night really just pushed me over the edge as far as my mental health goes, and my sweet husband has been helping me to pick up the pieces before my next shift tonight. And this video really helped me too. Thank you
So happy I stumbled upon this video. I’m on week 3/6 of orientation and my nurse keeps telling me that she thinks I should be a lot more independent at this point. And then I cry after I leave. I’m just so scared of making a mistake so I feel the need to ask a million questions. Like you, I also loved my job at chick fil a and was actually good at it compared to this😅
omg I'm so sorry they are talking to you like that. THREE WEEKS? thats SO NEW. It is completely OK to not be even a little bit independent at that point. hang in there!
I'm saving this video and pinging myself to comment on it again in six months. Oh my goodness, this is so validating. It's so frustrating when you can't seem to get the big things OR the little things! Everything is so time consuming because as you said, you need to first figure out there's a problem, then you need to figure out how to solve the problem (or ask for help - and you need to figure out who to ask!), and then you need to do all the little steps needed to solve the problem, none of which you're practiced enough to perform efficiently. And then you end the day feeling so exhausted but also like you barely did anything even though you never got to sit down and you probably cut your break short because you needed more time to chart...ahh. Future me, cheers to you.
I'm dreading my first 6 mos already. I had no idea it was going to be such a hard transition until I saw this video. I'm freaked out even more now. AHH! I'm gonna need a shoulder to cry on. So please be available the next 6 mos lolol
7 months in as a new nurse, I cried almost every day for I went to work. I was having so much anxiety about going to work. Start thinking that my dream job was maybe not as dreamy as I thought. Now, things are feeling much different. For me it was also switching from nights to days that made a huge difference on my psyche. I still have moments where I feel like the biggest idiot in the world. But I'm hoping that this will go away time or get easier.
Currently a new grad on a cardiac unit. Have about 3 weeks of orientation left and am so so scared. Feeling those exact feelings of wondering if I made the right choice and just not really feeling fulfilled in my job. Also just switched to nights from days and not sure if I’m liking it. Have always been told it will get better, but your words really hit home for me. Thank you so much ❤
I've literally been internally panicking about the fact that I start on the floor in two days so my instinct was to come hear your wise words!!!! You're such an inspiration. THANK YOU!
Thank you for this video. I’m feeling like I learned NOTHING in nursing school… like every step of the day is a complicated thought process. Nothing is easy… I loved clinical and now I feel incompetent 😖
I'm so sorry you're feeling this way, but I'm glad this could help a little. School doesn't focus nearly enough on practical education, so just know you are not alone. You can do this!
It took me 6m. just to feel comfortable doing very basic tasks as a new LPN in Dr. office. First 3w. I thought I can’t do this, but I hung on and now I’m a year in and still learning everyday, but my confidence builds with every experience, good and bad❤️ and it’s a big thanks to those nurses and pt’s that are kind, helpful and understanding. If you don’t give up, you’ll make it, just hold on for dear life 😉
@@prettygirl_1626 Not any longer, I have worked at Primary Care 1yr, Hospital- Med/Surg unit 6m., Nursing Home 2yr. I have learned so much at each place, they are all worth a try! I settled on LTC for now because of the pay. The pay goes from least to most. Good luck and have fun out there ;) ❤
I feel just like this right now, graduated in May 2023 and started in the PACU. I feel like I’m running around like a chicken with their head cut off, I am so hard on myself when I forget the little things that I ruminate on them on the way home from work every shift. The hours are all over the place and suck, I feel like I’m falling behind at home, and I can’t get anything right. But I’m giving it 6 mos and I know I can do this. This will be the hardest but most rewarding experience to become a competent nurse and I can’t wait. Thanks for the video, you made me feel heard and I take a little comfort in this hard time. ❤
I’m right there with you! I’m a new grad and started in a very specialized unit (like you). It’s such a steep learning curve and so much pressure to show it’s possible for a new grad. I’m gonna give it a solid year, and hopefully two. Then reevaluate.
Thank you so much! You have described EVERYTHING I am feeling. I was so excited to graduate, now I keep questioning my career, I'm so nervous to go to work every day.
I'm new to hospital and I pray every night I go in. It sucks but the difference seen in my patients after spending 36hrs with me was rewarding. Definitely made me feel like I am worth something and was doing something good. I work weekend nights, EVERY single weekend. This is after 8yrs of Nursing. Push through it. Being bilingual it takes me a bit longer to figure things out. That and coming from a SNF with little supplies to your Ikea store like supply room was a overwhelming. And the many many policies to learn and attempt to follow as a nurse was too much. At the end, I do nursing how I know best: prevention and teaching.
i just finished my classroom orientation and am starting on the floor next week! i am already feeling miserable and anxious, but this video helped me not feel so alone. you are so calming!
Yup. Just had that moment yesterday and I have to go back again today. I have great preceptors and managers so I feel supported but I still keep thinking, "I should be better than this." So, I appreciate this. Thank you.
Just finished my first week on my own & I feel like I'm incompetent. I left school thinking I was capable of doing the job, but even after my new grad orientation, I don't feel ready. Today is going to be my fourth shift & I'm dreading having to go in... But, I guess everyone feels like that so it's normal. I'll give myself 6 months like you recommended and we'll see.
This is so relatable. I’m only just starting on this path, but it’s nice that actual nurses are sharing their experiences. It’s so human and I’m currently dealing with this in a job in a legal field. My fiancé was listening in on this and he works in a manufacturing position and he could relate to the stress and hopelessness and feeling so dumb and blanking out. This has been extremely comforting.
What a relief to have a place to talk about this. I’m a new NICU nurse and nursing school doesn’t prepare you for neonates at all. Everyone on my unit just keeps saying “you’ll get it, just forget everything you already know” but I spend everyday feeling like an absolute moron. Even the orders are stuff like “per policy” so then I have to look up the policy cause I don’t know. 3 months in about to be on my own. Hopefully I’ll come back in September a whole new woman. 🥺
THIS VIDEO IS GOD SENT. Im a new lpn (3 months) working in long term careand im at witts end. It is HARD, overwhelming and the "nurses eat their young" mentality is toxic as hell. This video made me feel a million times better. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. Everything was spot on!
That’s what I’m feeling right now. My seniors are so toxic. Their careless remarks is something I could never accustomed to. They said to me that soft hearted people has no room in the ward. It’s like a threat to my soft personality. I don’t know what to do I wanna quit!
Girl! I’m only halfway into this video and everything you’re saying is so me right now!! I’m a brand new LVN, I felt so confident when I graduated nursing school. I passed my NCLEX my first try in only 75 questions. I even won an award for clinical excellence from my school… but omg, I’m on day 2 of orientation and they had me pass some meds today, I felt like a MESS. I just got home and im crying wondering if I made the right decision. I know I just have to stick it out, i feel like this is what im meant to do. I’ll see how I am in 6 months but all I want to do right now is cry lol🥹
I was feeling a bit alone because I’m only nurse in my family, and the only new grad on my floor at the moment. But now I see that everything I’m feeling is normal, and I thank you so much for that!!!
I feel this. Almost 6 months into my cardiac progressive unit and I’m still learning so much. I’ve left work so many times feeling like I didn’t do enough, or even forgot to chart one or two things on my patients. Feeling incompetent, feeling anxious, and feeling like I hate nursing. I’m glad I’m not alone in this
I'm starting my 2nd week of orientation and I needed this. I literally feel so incompetent and cried at home before my 3rd shift last week. I ask so many questions and feel like I'm being annoying but I want to make sure what I'm doing is right or when I don't know how to do something. I went from a job where I knew everything to a job where I don't know everything lol. This is an overwhelming transition.
Omg thank you! Seriously accurate to how I feel everyday!! I want to quit so bad I’m always anxious , feeling like I can’t do anything. This was so very helpful and actually made me laugh because I could hear myself when you were talking.
I adore your openness and perspective! I’m in a 15month accelerated second degree BSN program and am done in May! After 3 years of sales and only 25 years old, I’m beyond nervous. Your video made me, and will continue to make me, keep my head up :)
Glad I saw ur video. So helpful. I'm in the stage now of experiencing every thing as a new nurse. I always cry before going to work. And allwhat u said is really describe how I feel now. And ur right I'm giving myself till 6 mos if I will make it . Thank u for this video.
I love watching your videos when I’m feeling down about my nursing abilities! I’m only about 1 month into my first job on a med/surg tele floor nights and sometimes I feel like the biggest idiot. But as long as I keep asking my peers questions, I feel like it’s doable. I’m lucky to be on the floor I’m on. Everyone is extremely helpful and understanding. Nights is something I struggle with as well. Social life outside of working is freaking difficult. But I’m working on the adjustment.
I’m about to start my first job on med surg/tele floor. I’ve been an lpn for 4 years but honestly it feels like I’m completely starting over. I hope my coworkers are as supportive!
Liz, just wanted to say how helpful these videos are to new nurses. I am a new grad EN and definitely experience the self-doubt and imposter syndrome etc but have found it very helpful to watch your videos before and after shifts to improve my confidence. I now feel ok about asking 101 questions each shift, even if I look really silly, and will continue to do so as needed. I can now enjoy the newgrad experience instead of having that overarching feeling of doom before a shift :)
I'm not even a nurse but i watched this(I'm a social worker). I think this advice applies to every service worker out there! And to all the nurses, you have my deepest appreciation and respect !!!! 🙏
As with everyone in this comment section…in tears watching this but it does give me hope. About 3ish months in and about to get out of orientation but it has been ROUGH. Left many days crying, overwhelmed, charting past 7:30, etc. but as with anything just got to give it time. And to that point in the video about giving the lasix I related to that on sooooooo many levels lol. Thanks for posting 😊❤
This is me right now... brand new nurse feeling so dumb, questioning my life choices and giving myself such a hard time every day every shift... it is such a steep learning curve!!! Thank you for this video!
I am so glad my mom sent me this video. It’s so important to have that support from your peers and loved ones. I’m 3 months in and now on my own. I’m on a med surg floor. It was been gut wrenching and i needed to cry so many times but my body physically could not let it out… it was just getting bottled until I saw this video which helped me to process all the emotions. ❤️ thank you!
I'm in my first year of college but still have no nursing classes. I'll have my first nursing class in january next year. I sometimes binge watch your videos cause you're awesome and I feel like you give me a real vibe of what it's like to be a nurse. I love your content and your realness. You're awesome, Avery is awesome and Joe is awesome 🤗
At this very moment, I'm feeling the anxiety/stress/being overwhelmed with the amount of things I am learning. In addition, I realized how steep the learning curve is as a Float Pool Nurse. This week, I felt like I was literally running around like a headless chicken. I started to beat myself about my critical thinking skills and prioritizing patient care. For instance, I spoke up to my preceptor, orienting me on one unit that I've never administered a Heparin drip before. I felt I wasn't adequately guided on correctly setting the lines. But I was lucky to have another check before I brought the heparin drip to the bedside. I ruminate a lot before work and after work. I barely finish on time. I will give this 6 months to decide whether I want to jump ship. I just hope this will get better, because I feel like I don't know what I got myself into and feel like quitting.
Being a retired police officer at 53 I am wanting to become an RN. To say I'm scared is an understatement. I'm not sure is scared is the correct word, but returning back to college at 53 has me definitely a tad overwhelmed, wondering if I am too old. I didn't go to college for my AA degree in Business until I was 41. I graduated with almost a 4.0 average and felt so proud of my accomplishment when I not only graduated, but learned I was the first person in my family to graduate from college. I was a police officer in the 90s because I truly loved helping people. I wish I had made the decision to go to Nursing school several years ago, but when I told my 18 year old daughter what I was wanting to do and she said "dad I'm so proud of you, you are never too old to go back to school," that really made me feel so good inside. Plus my daughter said "dad how many people can say they earned a business degree and a nursing degree?" I am speaking with my school's Admission's Dept on Tues. Liz, watching several of your videos has definitely given me a ton of insight, and although I am nervous, I am excited as well. My father used to tell me Nothing good in life normally happens quickly, nor without hard work. Thank you Liz!!
Thank you for this video. I am a newly qualified nurse in the UK, and have worked in an infectious diseases unit for 10 weeks now (during a pandemic, I know right...). Recently, I have been let to my own devices, and I have been feeling so overwhelmed. I had a full blown panic attack at work the other day for the smallest of reasons, and that really isn't like me at all. Thank you for letting me know that I'm not alone!!!
One month in to ICU position as new grad and just absolutely overwhelmed. Everything you shared is spot on to how I have been feeling 😢 May need to watch your video many times over the next 6 months.
Just had my first day on my own off orientation and boy... it was ROUGH. Everything you’re describing about your experience as a new nurse is me to a tee!! I’m going through the “new nurse blues” right now. Thankfully the nurses I work with are extremely supportive. I’m trying to stay positive! I’m going to stick with it and see how I feel in 6 months. Thank you soooo much for making this video!! I feel like I’m not alone and I have hope that I’ll work through these feelings!!
I can relate to this. I started out on a medical stepdown unit but for me, I was about 8 months in and completely burnt out. I was verbally abused by patients and family members almost every day. I dreaded going into work. I didn’t even realize how bad it was until my husband told me that every time I come home from work I’m always just so angry. I didn’t do anything outside of work because I was always so tired from work. About a year and half in I transferred floors to a Surgical Trauma Intensive Care Unit (in the same hospital). Now I feel like a new nurse all over again. Trying to find the icepacks 😂 on top of trying to figure out what becoming an ICU nurse is all about. It is a completely different culture in the ICU and I hope I learn to love nursing again. But I already feel a weight lifted off my shoulders after transferring units. After finishing orientation in the STICU and learning how to be an ICU nurse, I’m sure my next challenge will be my peers believing that people in the ICU should become either nurse anesthetists or acute care NPs. So applying to FNP school will be an awkward conversation.
You don't get how much this helped me wrap my head around all of the feelings I was having. The second day of my nurse resident position, and I literally felt like I was drowning in inadequacy. My preceptor was walking me threw charting, and I couldn't stop crying, and I couldn't pinpoint all the reasons why I just came up with, "I don't know what to do next". She helped calm me down, but I really couldn't put into words why I was feeling like I hated something I worked so hard for. It was a battle to even say that. I felt like I was betraying myself for feeling that way, and also not knowing stuff. Thank you for this video!
I watched this video when it was released, and now I'm a month into orientation as a new grad and having all the feels for real. Thanks so much for your encouragement. It is so hard to accept that time and experience is the "solution" to such intense anxiety and feeling so dumb. In school the answer was to study harder, be better prepared the next day, etc. I can't study my way into feeling more comfortable or understanding the nuance of our outdated, horrid computer system. It's a tough pill to swallow, being somewhat of an over-achiever and a people-pleaser, knowing that I can't entirely avoid making mistakes and letting tasks slip through the cracks. I have an intense feeling of self-loathing and disappointment and I wonder if I will ever actually like the job. Thanks for normalizing my feelings.
Literally feel like what you described. I’ve been working for a month now and I dread going to work. It’s 8 hour shifts too so I work way more often than I anticipated. Every shift is a battle and I get so overwhelmed, so it’s really encouraging to hear that those feelings of “am I really cut out for this” go away after a while, and that I can always find an area of nursing that fits me best. Thank you ❤️
Hang in there!! It is so so rough in the beginning. If you don't follow AlyssaAllDay she is a brand new nurse feeling a lot of those same feelings, might be good to watch and feel less alone! It will get better! hang in there :)
Wow. Thank you so much for this. I'm a new nurse about to finish orientation and still feeling very overwhelmed and emotional. I NEEDED to hear all of this. The part about one small task becoming so many more because you don't know how to find things really hit home for me. It's so frustrating. I also dread going to work which sucks because I dedicated so much to becoming a nurse. It's disheartening and exhausting. I cried at work the first time yesterday, right in the med room. Just from feeling overwhelmed and slow. Again, thank you for posting this. It's really helpful for us newbies.
Going into my 4th month and this video spoke to my soul. All of the things you said I have been thinking about and worrying about this last month. I really needed to see and hear this video because all of it is soooooooooooooooooooooooooo true. Thank you for making this video😭😭😭😭😭. This has helped me mentally.
I just finished my first week of classroom orientation and I'm expecting the worst but hoping for the best. I hope that being aware that I might feel like that will make it a tad easier. I know I've done very very difficult things. I became an emancipated minor in high school, I was homeless for part of nursing school, I left an abusive ex. One semester I had 4 jobs while being a caregiver for my uncle AND grandmother while being president of a club, unmedicated for my ADHD, and I made the dean's list. Hopefully it won't be as difficult as nursing school was, but I know I can do hard things. (sorry for dumping this here, this comment was kinda a pep talk for myself more than anything lol)
Thank you! I start nursing school in the fall and terrified is an understatement. This is my second chance, I already have a bachelors in another field. I’m putting everything into this, all my time, money, energy, everything. This HAS to work, and I’ve been so scared that it won’t. Thank you.
Thank you so much for making this video. I just finished my 2nd week of orientation. I hate going to work. I felt like I’m the dumbest nurse on the floor. Watching this video is making me feel so much better. God bless you!
Thank you for your transparency! 3 weeks in as a new nurse... it's overwhelming! Taking it a day at a time. Your video has confirmed the thought of muddling through the first six months before making any kind of job decision. Thanks again 💓
Thank you so much for this open space. I go to work in a couple of hours and my anxiety is through the roof. I've lost weight/sleep and have only been a nurse for 3 months. Just when I think I got it, I lose it. I've even considered being a unit Secretary instead. I’m so grateful for this video and others' comments.
Hello! New nurse here! I'm 'graduating' from orientation tomorrow for my first nursing job on a Med/Surg unit and I have so much anxiety about it!! These past 8-12 weeks of orientation have been just about manageable, but I've had days where I've cried (I'm generally not the type of person who cries easily), I'm anxious every night before I sleep the day before a shift, and I feel so overwhelmed by everything that I need to remember and manage. I am pretty good about leaving my work at work, but the anticipation about what my shift is going to be like always keeps me on edge. I'm doing my best to take care of myself and my girlfriend and family have been wonderful sources of support for me, but it really is a huge adjustment. It definitely is not what I pictured when I started nursing school. However, I am willing to give myself the six months. I know that I am capable of doing things and my managers have been telling me I'm doing well. Orientation has definitely helped me a little bit, but there is still so much I feel like I need to know or be comfortable with that I don't have yet. Hopefully, time, experience, and self-care will help to ease this transition! Thank you Liz for your tips; it is a huge help! :)
Gosh I needed this video. I start my job in L&D as a brand new baby nurse tomorrow. I’ve been so nervous because I’ve had feelings like you described even I was just in clinical and especially when I became a PCT/nurse extern while in nursing school. I kept doubting myself because I was like “well, if I’m already so nervous and anxious as a student, how am I ever going to survive when I’m the actual nurse?”. I know I just have to keep pushing through, though. My anxiety and dread around going to clinicals/work was never because I don’t absolutely LOVE taking care of people, it’s just because I’m so nervous of making a mistake or someone getting hurt on my watch. I’ll try to be patient with myself this next year. I know the confidence and knowledge will come with time! Thanks, Liz😊
Thank you for this video.. I am not a new nurse but.. we were all new at one point whether it be as a student or a new nurse on the floor and no one talks about this part. This will help many because I think we have all been at this point and had no one to talk to about it. This is a great topic thank you for doing this video!! Thank you!!
New nurse here, just got home from an evening shift and teared up in front of my SO from the stress. So overwhelmed and I constantly feel like I’m doing something wrong or forgetting something . Here’s to 6 months
This honestly scares me I’ve felt this before as a surgical tech and I can’t even imagine facing the same kind of fear ,amplified , all over again . It’s kinda exciting though and it makes me feel a lot better to know everyone’s been there so thank you!
Not necessarily. I like interacting with patients and there isn’t much interaction in the OR. I haven’t even started my nursing program yet I’m still working on pre reqs and sometimes the fear of starting over makes me wonder if I should just get into something administrative instead but I’ve been doing a little investigating and I learned that there are many administrative opportunities for rns so as of now my plan is to try it out and see where to go from there
I am a new grad midwife. It was only my third day today at work. It's so hard, so disappointing, so scary... Everyone is so much older and more experienced than me, I feel so alone, so lost, so unimportant. I cried today because nurse in charge (my mentor) yelled at me few times, but I kept a straight face and when I went home I just cried. But hey thank you so much for this video, your words mean so much to me, you let me know I am not alone and feeling this way is even normal and hopefully it will get better. I am going to listen to you and hang in there for 6 more months.
I teared up watching this. You hit the nail on the head; I cry every shift, I have dreams about codes, I am terrified to go to work, I've questioned my career choice, I feel dumb everyday, reporting is horrible lol. I'll save this video and give myself the 6 months. 🙏😅
Thinking of you! How are you doing ?? ❤️
Hi how are you keeping up?? Im gonna start on med surg floor in 1 month huhu
Giving report is THE WORST
Please tell me it’s better for you now!!
@@mrsminchinnn5447 I’m a new grad! I get my assessments done no later than 8:15, then I have time to chart before med pass, writing important things down during the day to help me remember things for report and important tasks. For example (I make alarms in my phone for important tasks for example blood draw at 4 pm)… I have a couple of sheets that I think are very helpful if you would like me to email them to you! One is a report sheet that I found super helpful. I was all over the place when giving report before lol. It takes time to grasp your own rhythm. You will get there. No one is perfect at time management. I have improved on these skills with tips from fellow nurses and finding my own tricks.
New grad here! Recently had my first buddy shift on my unit as an RN...after my shift I called my boyfriend sobbing and asked him why I picked nursing over being a ✨Government girly✨. My "reasons" being being a nurse don't seem to make sense anymore. I get anxious days before my shift set even begins, I constantly feel like an idiot and a burden to the other nurses, I feel less skilled than my other new grad counterparts, and I honestly just want to quit. Thank god RUclips has shown me that I'm not alone. This video has given me the hope I so desperately need.
Not knowing things is so exhausting. I have pre-shift anxiety, post-shift anxiety, and just panic during the shift. It’s so scary and I wish it could fast forward to the part when I know what’s happening.
I watch this video often. I just finished my first week out of orientation and I am a nervous wreck!!!!!! I wake up anxious, go through the shift anxious, go home thinking about charting or random things I feel like I missed. Omg. Praying it gets better.
It will get better. So sorry it is rough right now. i remember feeling that. Honestly exercise was so so helpful with dealing with the anxiety in those early months. even just a walk outside was a game changer.
I am right there with you, Tyra. A lot of us are.
Hi Tyra, how are things going 9 months later?
Ser X WORLDS DIFFERNT. After 10 months on a med/surg unit I transferred to labor and delivery and absolutely LOVE it. Even after about 6 months on med/surg things got easier. Thank God ♥️
100%
im 5 minutes into this video and all ive been doing is nodding my head going "yup' that shit right there" god its refreshing to know im not the only one with these thoughts.
I am so happy I've found this channel! I wish you are my preceptor/mentor, you seem like a wonderful nurse and human being.
❤️❤️ thank you for the encouragement! I’m glad you are here!
I am crying watching this. It is such a huge transition. Last night I was thinking what else I'd do if not nursing bc I have no plan B, this is all I wanted in life. Now that I'm here I am such a mess and feel stupid ALL THE TIME. Also, my fiance' is deployed overseas he left in Jan. so I've been going at this, what feels like alone because I started my first RN job a month after he left. I knew that all these things were coming and that it'd be hard but now that I am here it sucks worse than I was mentally prepared for. Thank you so much for this video and the encouragement. Here's to the first 6 months.
Ugh that is such a hard time. I hope every day is a little easier for you
How are you feeling now? is it better? I feel kind of depressed.
@@kristellvilla how are you feeling now? I hope it's better.
Wow, no one replies how they’re currently doing after saying how hard it is. Did they all quit, omg.
@@kristellvilla it did get better, I gained more confidence and knowledge. I did have to give up bedside due to an injury though. Looking back at my comment I remember how horrible that feeling was.
I’m currently 6 months in the ER as a brand new nurse. I’ve been on my own for about 2 months now. Some days are better than others, lately feels like more bad days, feeling stupid and inadequate more often and I’m finding myself contemplating my next career move 😅 leaving work in tears this morning, spent too much money at Walmart (sad shopping) and then found this video. Feeling disillusioned and stupid for being so bright eyed and positive and excited about being a nurse. Thanks for giving me some hope.
Oh no, I wish you the best of luck. I felt the same was at my first job. And going back to nursing after many years off and feels so anxious like I did in the beginning.
How are things now?
I am also a new er nurse. I know exactly how u feel.
I'm one month into my ER orientation. I feel overwhelmed. How long did it take you to get over the anxiety?
@@slickvic1604 things are a lot better now. I’m still working in the same ER. I’m much more comfortable and confident in my skills and assessment. There are still rough days, I most assuredly do not know everything. BUT my leadership puts me with new nurses to help train all the time, so I tell myself I must be doing something right. Good luck to you, and hang in there. I’m glad I saw this notification because reading my comment really gave me some perspective about how far I’ve come.
I literally can’t stop crying or having horrible anxious dreams. I hate this anxiety. Thanks for this video
I so hope it gets easier for you soon
Same
That's me right now, I hate going to work, I cry coming in, I cry on my way out, I hate my job. I'm 3 weeks in and I want to quit, my boss keeps telling me this is normal to feel the way I'm feeling. I can't imagine anybody else feeling the way I am.
I hope things are better now! How are they?
I feel that way! I am 6 months in and the pandemic is crushing us. I had 8 the other day. It’s exhausting and I hate it. Half my class has quit nursing. Not the bedside-nursing.
@@MzShonuff123 do you regret your decision to pursue nursing?
@@MzShonuff123 also- you mean they left the profession entirely?
How it going
I just started on a cardiac/tele/stroke/Covid floor and I dread going to work everyday. I get so terrified at the fact that I'm not prepared to adequately handle every situation. I would get really excruciating headaches d/t increased anxiety. This video gives me so much ease knowing that all the negative and scary feelings I'm experiencing currently is relatable. Thank you for this video!
Thank you for this… I’ve been a nurse for 5 months now, new grad, brand new, on a CVIMCU floor, take 4 patients on day shift, 3 days in a row, and I related to all of this. ICU senior practicum and being a CNA for 2 years prior to school, couldn’t have prepared me for these things! I feel the lowest in my life then I’ve ever felt. I’m struggling! And struggling to admit it, but I’m gonna give it 6 more months. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Every time I have a terrible shift, I come back to this video, thank you for being so real and honest, makes a world of difference to a new grad baby RN
I hope tomorrow is better ❤️
Hi Liz. I’m sobbing hard right now because I’m so so close to writing my resignation letter even though I’m still on my 2nd week as a new nurse. I feel so so dumb everyday and I made dumb mistakes that even made the senior nurse scold me for making these dumb mistakes and even said that her evaluation of me is someone who have no presence of mind and no common sense. I am normally an anxious person and it worsened when I hear no encouragement but instead gained more harsh critics that broke my confidence so much. Nursing is a calling and I’m still yet to fall in love in this profession. Earlier I even thought of just being a bank teller and ditch nursing just to get my mental health back. I am still considering it but you said to give it atleast 6 months. So I will. I honestly cried the whole day after my shift and I have no one to confide my frustrations and hurt. Im glad I found your video Liz because at this point I feel sick to my stomach and just want to quit. I’ll be back for any updates. Thank you for making me feel like what I am feeling now is valid. Because like others, I have no plan B. 6 months… I’ll give it 6 months…
Update ?
update!?
I'm so sorry you had such a rough experience. It seems like those that should have supported you haven't and gosh that hurts. 😢 Any updates will be great. I'm currently going through the same feeling of hopelessness. Every day that seems like it went well ends in a disaster due to random pop ups discharge etc ughh I feel so out of place sometimes
Hi everyone! This is lovely and I'm here to bring you updates. Not long after I wrote my previous comment, I went to the clinical supervisor and expressed my frustrations. Thankfully, she understood me and had me take a break for the whole day. I was a sobbing mess when we talked because I was honestly scared to go back to work and meet the people who I told on her. She promised to move me to other areas. And the next day, she made me choose where I wanted to go- either DR or NICU. I chose NICU and I love every single day of saving newborn babies. To be honest, the work in the NICU is much more complicated, delicate and tiring compared to my previous area. But what really helped me fell in love with being a nurse is the environment, and my workmates. And time really flies when you're having fun. I'll be celebrating my anniversary as a nurse by January and I'm excited! So, to all fresh grad nurses out there, Liz is right! It gets better! So choose your environment properly because that's what I did and I've been much happier. God bless you all
I'm having such a hard time. I feel like an idiot most of the day. I feel like I can't talk to my husband about it anymore because he doesn't want to listen to me complain about work all the time
I'm so sorry you're feeling that way! Hang in there
SAME
Stephanie have things gotten better?
This is me. 😢
This is VERY true. And it definitely gets better. I found the first 6 months were overwhelming. The next 6 months you still feel uncertain but not as out to sea. After 1-2 years you will find confident and settled. Hang on there...you can do it.
Thiss! Thank you for sharing your experience
I’m about a month off of orientation as a new grad in the ICU and I totally agree with everything you said. I was at the top of my class in nursing school and remember my first day in the ICU - I could not recognize any piece of equipment, my patient was brain dead, family was at the bedside sobbing, and and I had no idea what I was supposed to do for this patient. Luckily, my preceptor essentially held my hand the entire time. What a first day! 😂
Thank you for this video. I was a LPN in long term care for 11 years before "going back" to get my RN. I thought maybe my experience would help me, but it really hasnt helped all that much because I'm in acute care in a hospital which is completely different than LTC. I finished school in Dec, started my job in Jan and today was my 3rd day off of orientation, so I'm on my own. I feel SO STUPID every day! I am physically and emotionally exhausted, and even though my fiancé is wonderful and he listens, i cant articulate the level of stress I feel every single day, and even if I could, he doesnt work in Healthcare so he doesnt understand. Just like I dont understand a thing about when he talks about his job which is putting gas pipes in the ground. But anyway, I am so glad to know I'm not the only one. Everything you said is so freaking accurate. Because i have literally thought to myself many times, "I should have just stayed a LPN". I've cried in the bathroom at work. I've come home feeling like a zombie, like actually numb. And i just keep thinking- how am I going to do this for another like 30 years, well more accurately is how am I going to make it through the next day. I pray it will get better, like you said. When I got my first job as a LPN, i was on orientation for 3 days and then tbey said ok your on your own this weekend, and I had 20 patients. And i did it. In that sink or swim situation, I swam, and I swam very well. Maybe I just need to get out of the LPN mindset because we are so task focused. Idk, i just hope it *gets better soon*. Thanks for the video and for the opportunity for me to vent lol
Yes to trying a new unit! I felt better about nursing by the 6 month mark but then started to feel worse and worse -- ended up leaving my first unit after a year and a half (for another unit at my hospital) and it's made a world of difference. It's worth trying something new if you feel your current situation isn't right.
Yes!! I loved my job so much more when I made the switch to peds!
What did you switch to?
New grad in the ICU. And I feel this. I’m only a few weeks in and I already want to quit and crying before work. Trying to push through but my anxiety is so much. Thank you for putting this out there, it does help to know I’m not alone. ♥️
how can such an angel cry
Omg you literally took the words out of my mouth...I was so excited to start my career and then I actually started and I was like oh my goodness I did not expect to feel this way at all. I want to enjoy going to work, but I’m so anxious and overwhelmed that I dread going. I’m a new grad in the pediatric ICU and the fear of making a mistake controls me!! I’m so glad I stumbled on this video. I needed to hear this!
I hope it did getting better for you!
How are things now?
Have things gotten better for you? I hope so!
Thank you so much for this video. I’m on orientation week 7/10 working with a preceptor guiding me. I dream about work and wake up stressed and nauseas. You are so calming and I’m so relieved to know I’m not alone
It will get better, hang in there!
I became an alcoholic for years, but I worked 23 years before retirement in 2010. Save your money and invest!
How are you feeling now, Kate?
started my first nursing job 2 weeks ago and ive never experienced soooooo much anxiety in my life. EVER! ... i thought going through nursing school was hard, boy was I wrong. I really do hope these next few months fly by bcuz im ready to not be an anxious wreck all the time. Thank you for the pep talk and will sure come and listen to it often. Again, THANK YOU!
How are you feeling now? I hope it's better!
New nurse, I’m leaving this comment to come back in 6 months bc this is exactly how I feel right now. Orientation was actually a breeze. The first week alone wasn’t too bad either and then all of a sudden it got bad and I felt overwhelmed. I barely finish on time and I’m always wondering if I charted everything correctly to not get sued. I am coming back in 6 months to see how it feels then 🙏🏼
Any update yet?
@@febirigor94787 month update! Hope all is well your way .
How's it going?
@@febirigor9478 it was tough to say! I stayed at the SNF for those 6 months and was still debating switching careers but then I switched to home health and clinic setting and I love those so much more! I def still feel overwhelmed at times but nothing like the SNF..
@Ngomedann thank you for keeping up, it feels nice knowing there’s nurses who care. My first job was a SNF and I stayed there for the 6 months to see if it’ll get better.. it didn’t (coworkers were horrible and job still felt overwhelming) so I switched to clinic and home health and I’m so much happier :)
I'm on my fourth shift as a new RN. I hate it. It is exhausting feeling dumb and helpless for 12+ hours a day. Thank you for making this.
This is exactly how I feel. Just ... the dumbest nurse ever to walk the earth. It's awful.
Are you feeling any better after some months have passed?
@@escazkaban I feel this way everyday I come home from work. What's painful is when the nurse manager told me I'm not cut out to be a nurse bec im just book-smart and lack critical thinking skills. I'm only a little over a month orientation. 😢
I will definitely rewatch this when I start my first job in May (after graduating with my BSN). I have kinda had these feelings during clinicals sometimes though because I tend to get anxious very easily. I love the nursing profession but I have this fear that I won't be a safe nurse for my patients. I need to give myself the 6 months as you said
It’s good to be a little nervous! It shows you care and want the best for your patients! Congrats on almost being done!!
I am going on my third month on my own as a nurse and it's been HARD. But I am finally starting to feel less anxious and I like my job more everyday. It DOES get better!!
How are things now?
This is so comforting. My granddaughter starts her 6th month of a 12 month acclerated BSN to RN 2nd degree program. Much of her classes have been on-line due to covid19. I am sure her entire class will have similar self-doubts. Especially as they have not been able to do clinicals.
Proud update. Seven months through the 12 month course she has a 4.0 and has been offered a residency at a premium hospital in countrys third largest city. She wants to explore all opportunities so has not yet decided a specific discipline.
Finished my 3rd week of 12 hour shifts and my goodness everyday I feel like I got hit by a truck out of nowhere, if the morning goes well, the afternoon goes down the drain, then the morning starts off sooo bad and afternoon becomes better. The smallest things take forever I blank out half the time, I can't answer some patient questions properly or as thoroughly as I want. 😢 Gosh this is such a rough start but this video made me realize I'm not the only one
How’s it going now for you? I just started my 2nd week and feel that way 😢
Not an RN yet but I’ve been a tech for 2 months now and oh my goodness I still relate to this 100%!!! I suffer from severe anxiety and depression so this transition state was much harder for me. But it’s getting better.
I am a new grad. 5 months in. I work in float pool and cry after many shifts still. I have feelings that I hate nursing but then some shifts are okay/good and then everything in between. There’s a lot of learning with every shift which I’m very grateful for but it’s still super rough. I’m going to hang on for a while longer to get more experience and see how I feel closer to a year. Thanks for this video!
Liz I watched this video before I even entered clinicals and now, I'm a new grad nurse watching it again. Oh my word is everything you said so true (maybe expect for the feeling confident out of school part haha), but because of this video and the other nurses I talked to, I feel like I was really prepared to feel this way. Does that make it better? No, but it makes me feel much more impervious to the shock and imposter syndrome I feel like so many of me peers are struggling with!
Omg thank you for this. I am a new nurse in the ED at a trauma 1 center and it’s so hard. It sucks not knowing things during hectic situations and people look at you crazy. It’s overwhelming, and it breaks my heart when people are annoyed with you. I wanted to come home and quit today. I cried coming home. I googled new grad struggles andI found you. Thank you, I will see what happens in 6 months
How’s it going so far? I’ve been experiencing this too now Im a new orientee in the ICU. It’s dreadful.
So far, my preceptor told me that the ED is not for me because I ask too many questions and emergency is about doing and asking questions later. They sent me to a medsurge floor for a day which I hated and I told them I don’t like it and would like to return to the ED. They gave me a new preceptor who always said good job and encouraged me even when I felt dumb. I am now finally off orientation and I am able to take care of patients on my own. Everyone is just so happy for me because they saw that what needed was just someone caring to help me out. It gets better. Now I am confident and can handle critical patients. When I panick, I just ask for help. I also come back home and google treatments I don’t understand. So hang in there, like my new preceptor told me, “you’re not dumb, they are just experienced, you will get there. Hold you head high, you deserve to be here”. I hold unto her words dearly. Best preceptor that changed my outlook on things
I really needed to hear this; I've just completed my first week as a new Nurse, and I told my husband this morning I'm just over it. Thank you!
Theresa, I hope things have gotten better!
Wow, your story is so similar to mine. I wish I had heard this 15 years ago, when I was starting off. I thought I was the only one. I've never heard another nurse describe my story in the way you did. My experience especially that first year has affected why I don't like working in the hospital much today. I barely slept through that first year. Along the way, I had other hospital experiences and became a maternal-child health manager (and did peds and school nursing), and even ER nursing, which I actually really liked, even if it was a high stress environment. Today I am a nurse manager in my place of employment, and am about to be a clinical instructor. But to hear your story has been very helpful to me in processing my own experience. And my negative experience with my first preceptor taught me a lot of how I don't want to be, and conversely, how I want to encourage my students. Thank you for sharing this, and it makes me realize it is important to have this conversation at some point with my students and not be ashamed of my own journey, and it is true, it is much better now.
So glad its so much better now! And what an awesome position to be in to encourage new nurses!
Wow! I literally cried throughout this entire video. You said exactly what I am going through. I have horrible anxiety before work and I have never experienced that before, even in nursing school. I don’t love my job but I’ve been working for two months on a Neuro medsurg unit and it isn’t easy at all. as an LPN there aren’t any NICU jobs for me and I want to do that. Hopefully when I get my RN next year I can transition. Thank you for the insight!
I'm glad I watched this video. I've watched hundreds of nurse videos here on RUclips and You are the first nurse that ever voiced every single thought that a new nurse might face when on their first job alone. Every nurse says it's hard but you actually went into detail of how hard it is. "Where are the ice packs?...where is this? Where is that? Do I page? What am I looking for? What do i do next?" So many thoughts and questions pop up just to complete one task just for one patient, i wouldve gotten extremely anxious and start doubting myself.
Glad it was helpful ❤️
I thought the same thing! It’s the first time I’m hearing someone describe these anxious thoughts in detail. So helpful! It feels like someone truly understands me
Thank you for this encouragement. I am crying right now because you described pretty much what I am feeing right now. I have started on the floor on my own now after finishing the new grad program for 8 wks and I feel so overwhelmed and feel like I am failing majority of the time. Also, it doesn’t get any easier that I am pregnant trying to do all this. I had an experienced nurse talk to me today and just validated what I am feeling, but she told me to keep pushing. Anyway, I appreciate your post and its encouraging and heart warming to know that there are people out there who are up lifting and encouraging those who feel low.
I’m so sorry you’re feeling this way and on top of being pregnant!!!
I understand though, I am crying on days I’m not on orientation. It’s really hard. And I’ve only finished my first week! We can both do it! I believe in us!
This was a nice pep talk liz! I started my career in a skilled rehab/LTC facility where the ratio was 1 nurse to 32 residents. I had 4 weeks orientation and I felt unprepared everyday. I would have a panic attack in the car before going in because I was so overwhelmed. I would work 3 to 11 but not get out until 1230 a.m. Then I became a pro and started orienting people after 5 months. I since left for the icu and found it's my niche and I'm not as overwhelmed. Can't believe that was 4 years ago!
Abby C. That’s awesome
So glad you found your place!! I don’t know how you guys did it in ltc. That is SO much to keep track of and do. Go you!
I’m also starting out at a skilled! It is so unbelievably overwhelming to me right now at 1 month in, I’m just now starting to have shifts without an orienting nurse. Thanks for sharing!
4 WEEKS?! That’s awesome
Im 4 weeks working on my own and im overwhelmed i stay on my feet for 8hrs straight with no lunch break and leaving late suw to charting and signing the mar takes 2hrs unbelievable
I just had my second shift on the med-surg unit and made my first mistake...i felt awful the rest of the shift, luckily my preceptor comforted me and was so nice about it! Gosh, i hope to have a better shift next time :(
Hope every day gets a bit better for you. Mistakes happen. We've all made them. learn from them! You'll never make that one again.
Isabella Munoz I hope things are getting better for you ❤️
I'm in my two weeks too, we can do this.
How are things now?
Hi Liz, I just started as an RN on a Cardiology unit 2 months ago as a new grad. I have been really struggling with the transition. Nursing felt like it was everything I ever wanted in a career until I started it... Everything you just said in your video could have been my words exactly. I could not relate more. This video was everything I needed to hear right now. I feel some hope for the first time in weeks after watching your video. I'm relieved to know I'm not alone. Thank you for talking about this and for giving some supportive words. It will get better. (I have hopes to become an NP as well someday so I look forward to watching your other videos)
Hang in there. I hope it gets a little easier every day ❤️
Andrea, how are you doing now?
Have things gotten any better over the past two years?
I am a brand new pre-nursing student. I work on a neuro/stroke unit as a nurse tech and I am feeling like a train wreck. I experienced my 1st patient death and I am sad this week. I work with wonderful staff and wish I could make my rounds more time efficiently will be more helpful @ Nurse Liz I so needed this mental check up.
Thank you!
This was perfect and perfect timing! I just hit my 5 month mark as a new night RN who is also going to school full-time to get my BSN. I have been experiencing those blues and lots of anxiety prior to my shifts. I should also mention I am not a night owl at all. Then on my last shift we had our first code blue on the floor since I started. Then one of my patients fell and his family member was also working on the floor too so I felt like even more of a failure then my other patient turned into a code gray. That night really just pushed me over the edge as far as my mental health goes, and my sweet husband has been helping me to pick up the pieces before my next shift tonight. And this video really helped me too. Thank you
Oof those nights are so hard. I hope tomorrow is easier for you. Glad you have a great support at home
So happy I stumbled upon this video. I’m on week 3/6 of orientation and my nurse keeps telling me that she thinks I should be a lot more independent at this point. And then I cry after I leave. I’m just so scared of making a mistake so I feel the need to ask a million questions. Like you, I also loved my job at chick fil a and was actually good at it compared to this😅
omg I'm so sorry they are talking to you like that. THREE WEEKS? thats SO NEW. It is completely OK to not be even a little bit independent at that point. hang in there!
I'm saving this video and pinging myself to comment on it again in six months. Oh my goodness, this is so validating. It's so frustrating when you can't seem to get the big things OR the little things! Everything is so time consuming because as you said, you need to first figure out there's a problem, then you need to figure out how to solve the problem (or ask for help - and you need to figure out who to ask!), and then you need to do all the little steps needed to solve the problem, none of which you're practiced enough to perform efficiently. And then you end the day feeling so exhausted but also like you barely did anything even though you never got to sit down and you probably cut your break short because you needed more time to chart...ahh. Future me, cheers to you.
Thanks for being so supportive during my transition and also for making this video so I can maybe leave you alone some 😂🙃
AlyssaAllDay as soon as I saw this video I thought about you 😂
My REAL motivation for the video revealed 😂. Just kidding. You know this
I'm dreading my first 6 mos already. I had no idea it was going to be such a hard transition until I saw this video. I'm freaked out even more now. AHH! I'm gonna need a shoulder to cry on. So please be available the next 6 mos lolol
Alyssallday what do you think about me creating a fbook private group for new nurses? So we can support each other? If you're in message me.
@@CharleysAquaticNook did you create that facebook private group for new nurse?
7 months in as a new nurse, I cried almost every day for I went to work. I was having so much anxiety about going to work. Start thinking that my dream job was maybe not as dreamy as I thought. Now, things are feeling much different. For me it was also switching from nights to days that made a huge difference on my psyche. I still have moments where I feel like the biggest idiot in the world. But I'm hoping that this will go away time or get easier.
Currently a new grad on a cardiac unit. Have about 3 weeks of orientation left and am so so scared. Feeling those exact feelings of wondering if I made the right choice and just not really feeling fulfilled in my job. Also just switched to nights from days and not sure if I’m liking it. Have always been told it will get better, but your words really hit home for me. Thank you so much ❤
I've literally been internally panicking about the fact that I start on the floor in two days so my instinct was to come hear your wise words!!!! You're such an inspiration. THANK YOU!
Thank you for this video. I’m feeling like I learned NOTHING in nursing school… like every step of the day is a complicated thought process. Nothing is easy… I loved clinical and now I feel incompetent 😖
I'm so sorry you're feeling this way, but I'm glad this could help a little. School doesn't focus nearly enough on practical education, so just know you are not alone. You can do this!
It took me 6m. just to feel comfortable doing very basic tasks as a new LPN in Dr. office. First 3w. I thought I can’t do this, but I hung on and now I’m a year in and still learning everyday, but my confidence builds with every experience, good and bad❤️ and it’s a big thanks to those nurses and pt’s that are kind, helpful and understanding. If you don’t give up, you’ll make it, just hold on for dear life 😉
Still at doctors office?
@@prettygirl_1626 Not any longer, I have worked at Primary Care 1yr, Hospital- Med/Surg unit 6m., Nursing Home 2yr. I have learned so much at each place, they are all worth a try! I settled on LTC for now because of the pay. The pay goes from least to most. Good luck and have fun out there ;) ❤
I feel just like this right now, graduated in May 2023 and started in the PACU. I feel like I’m running around like a chicken with their head cut off, I am so hard on myself when I forget the little things that I ruminate on them on the way home from work every shift. The hours are all over the place and suck, I feel like I’m falling behind at home, and I can’t get anything right. But I’m giving it 6 mos and I know I can do this. This will be the hardest but most rewarding experience to become a competent nurse and I can’t wait. Thanks for the video, you made me feel heard and I take a little comfort in this hard time. ❤
I’m right there with you! I’m a new grad and started in a very specialized unit (like you). It’s such a steep learning curve and so much pressure to show it’s possible for a new grad. I’m gonna give it a solid year, and hopefully two. Then reevaluate.
Thank you so much! You have described EVERYTHING I am feeling. I was so excited to graduate, now I keep questioning my career, I'm so nervous to go to work every day.
I'm new to hospital and I pray every night I go in. It sucks but the difference seen in my patients after spending 36hrs with me was rewarding. Definitely made me feel like I am worth something and was doing something good. I work weekend nights, EVERY single weekend. This is after 8yrs of Nursing. Push through it.
Being bilingual it takes me a bit longer to figure things out. That and coming from a SNF with little supplies to your Ikea store like supply room was a overwhelming. And the many many policies to learn and attempt to follow as a nurse was too much. At the end, I do nursing how I know best: prevention and teaching.
i just finished my classroom orientation and am starting on the floor next week! i am already feeling miserable and anxious, but this video helped me not feel so alone. you are so calming!
Tara, how has your experience been on the floor?
Yup. Just had that moment yesterday and I have to go back again today.
I have great preceptors and managers so I feel supported but I still keep thinking, "I should be better than this."
So, I appreciate this. Thank you.
Just finished my first week on my own & I feel like I'm incompetent. I left school thinking I was capable of doing the job, but even after my new grad orientation, I don't feel ready. Today is going to be my fourth shift & I'm dreading having to go in... But, I guess everyone feels like that so it's normal. I'll give myself 6 months like you recommended and we'll see.
I’m hanging on for 6months too. Just finished 2 months in my own and it is brutal
This is so relatable. I’m only just starting on this path, but it’s nice that actual nurses are sharing their experiences.
It’s so human and I’m currently dealing with this in a job in a legal field. My fiancé was listening in on this and he works in a manufacturing position and he could relate to the stress and hopelessness and feeling so dumb and blanking out.
This has been extremely comforting.
What a relief to have a place to talk about this. I’m a new NICU nurse and nursing school doesn’t prepare you for neonates at all. Everyone on my unit just keeps saying “you’ll get it, just forget everything you already know” but I spend everyday feeling like an absolute moron. Even the orders are stuff like “per policy” so then I have to look up the policy cause I don’t know. 3 months in about to be on my own. Hopefully I’ll come back in September a whole new woman. 🥺
THIS VIDEO IS GOD SENT. Im a new lpn (3 months) working in long term careand im at witts end. It is HARD, overwhelming and the "nurses eat their young" mentality is toxic as hell. This video made me feel a million times better. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. Everything was spot on!
That’s what I’m feeling right now. My seniors are so toxic. Their careless remarks is something I could never accustomed to. They said to me that soft hearted people has no room in the ward. It’s like a threat to my soft personality. I don’t know what to do I wanna quit!
Girl! I’m only halfway into this video and everything you’re saying is so me right now!! I’m a brand new LVN, I felt so confident when I graduated nursing school. I passed my NCLEX my first try in only 75 questions. I even won an award for clinical excellence from my school… but omg, I’m on day 2 of orientation and they had me pass some meds today, I felt like a MESS. I just got home and im crying wondering if I made the right decision. I know I just have to stick it out, i feel like this is what im meant to do. I’ll see how I am in 6 months but all I want to do right now is cry lol🥹
I think I’m gonna have to watch this video after every shift LOL
Brand new RN. I’m in week 2 and I was already thinking of becoming an enterpreneur instead😂😢
I was feeling a bit alone because I’m only nurse in my family, and the only new grad on my floor at the moment. But now I see that everything I’m feeling is normal, and I thank you so much for that!!!
I feel this. Almost 6 months into my cardiac progressive unit and I’m still learning so much. I’ve left work so many times feeling like I didn’t do enough, or even forgot to chart one or two things on my patients. Feeling incompetent, feeling anxious, and feeling like I hate nursing. I’m glad I’m not alone in this
I’m currently going through everything you talked about in this video. I’m so glad I stumbled upon this! I can’t wait for it to get better.
Hope it happens soon ❤️
I'm starting my 2nd week of orientation and I needed this. I literally feel so incompetent and cried at home before my 3rd shift last week. I ask so many questions and feel like I'm being annoying but I want to make sure what I'm doing is right or when I don't know how to do something. I went from a job where I knew everything to a job where I don't know everything lol. This is an overwhelming transition.
update!?
Omg thank you! Seriously accurate to how I feel everyday!! I want to quit so bad I’m always anxious , feeling like I can’t do anything. This was so very helpful and actually made me laugh because I could hear myself when you were talking.
mariah sachs I’m 2 months on my own and I feel incompetent :(
I'm so glad it was helpful! The beginning is so so hard, hang in there! Hope it gets a bit easier every day
@@oliviab5168 How are things now?
How are things now?
I adore your openness and perspective! I’m in a 15month accelerated second degree BSN program and am done in May! After 3 years of sales and only 25 years old, I’m beyond nervous. Your video made me, and will continue to make me, keep my head up :)
Your almost done!! So exciting! Hang in there! It will be worth it 🙂
Glad I saw ur video. So helpful. I'm in the stage now of experiencing every thing as a new nurse. I always cry before going to work. And allwhat u said is really describe how I feel now. And ur right I'm giving myself till 6 mos if I will make it . Thank u for this video.
You can do this!!!!
I love watching your videos when I’m feeling down about my nursing abilities! I’m only about 1 month into my first job on a med/surg tele floor nights and sometimes I feel like the biggest idiot. But as long as I keep asking my peers questions, I feel like it’s doable. I’m lucky to be on the floor I’m on. Everyone is extremely helpful and understanding. Nights is something I struggle with as well. Social life outside of working is freaking difficult. But I’m working on the adjustment.
So glad you have a supportive unit! It’ll keep getting better. Hang in there!
I’m about to start my first job on med surg/tele floor. I’ve been an lpn for 4 years but honestly it feels like I’m completely starting over. I hope my coworkers are as supportive!
Liz, just wanted to say how helpful these videos are to new nurses. I am a new grad EN and definitely experience the self-doubt and imposter syndrome etc but have found it very helpful to watch your videos before and after shifts to improve my confidence. I now feel ok about asking 101 questions each shift, even if I look really silly, and will continue to do so as needed. I can now enjoy the newgrad experience instead of having that overarching feeling of doom before a shift :)
I'm not even a nurse but i watched this(I'm a social worker). I think this advice applies to every service worker out there! And to all the nurses, you have my deepest appreciation and respect !!!! 🙏
As with everyone in this comment section…in tears watching this but it does give me hope. About 3ish months in and about to get out of orientation but it has been ROUGH. Left many days crying, overwhelmed, charting past 7:30, etc. but as with anything just got to give it time. And to that point in the video about giving the lasix I related to that on sooooooo many levels lol. Thanks for posting 😊❤
This is me right now... brand new nurse feeling so dumb, questioning my life choices and giving myself such a hard time every day every shift... it is such a steep learning curve!!! Thank you for this video!
How are you feeling now, Liz?
@@sarahtoler5878 SO much better one year in. It's still challenging but not as overwhelming as it was :).
I am so glad my mom sent me this video. It’s so important to have that support from your peers and loved ones. I’m 3 months in and now on my own. I’m on a med surg floor. It was been gut wrenching and i needed to cry so many times but my body physically could not let it out… it was just getting bottled until I saw this video which helped me to process all the emotions. ❤️ thank you!
I'm in my first year of college but still have no nursing classes. I'll have my first nursing class in january next year. I sometimes binge watch your videos cause you're awesome and I feel like you give me a real vibe of what it's like to be a nurse. I love your content and your realness. You're awesome, Avery is awesome and Joe is awesome 🤗
Aww thank you!!
2year update?
At this very moment, I'm feeling the anxiety/stress/being overwhelmed with the amount of things I am learning. In addition, I realized how steep the learning curve is as a Float Pool Nurse. This week, I felt like I was literally running around like a headless chicken. I started to beat myself about my critical thinking skills and prioritizing patient care. For instance, I spoke up to my preceptor, orienting me on one unit that I've never administered a Heparin drip before. I felt I wasn't adequately guided on correctly setting the lines. But I was lucky to have another check before I brought the heparin drip to the bedside. I ruminate a lot before work and after work. I barely finish on time. I will give this 6 months to decide whether I want to jump ship. I just hope this will get better, because I feel like I don't know what I got myself into and feel like quitting.
Being a retired police officer at 53 I am wanting to become an RN. To say I'm scared is an understatement. I'm not sure is scared is the correct word, but returning back to college at 53 has me definitely a tad overwhelmed, wondering if I am too old. I didn't go to college for my AA degree in Business until I was 41. I graduated with almost a 4.0 average and felt so proud of my accomplishment when I not only graduated, but learned I was the first person in my family to graduate from college. I was a police officer in the 90s because I truly loved helping people. I wish I had made the decision to go to Nursing school several years ago, but when I told my 18 year old daughter what I was wanting to do and she said "dad I'm so proud of you, you are never too old to go back to school," that really made me feel so good inside. Plus my daughter said "dad how many people can say they earned a business degree and a nursing degree?" I am speaking with my school's Admission's Dept on Tues. Liz, watching several of your videos has definitely given me a ton of insight, and although I am nervous, I am excited as well. My father used to tell me Nothing good in life normally happens quickly, nor without hard work. Thank you Liz!!
Thank you for this video. I am a newly qualified nurse in the UK, and have worked in an infectious diseases unit for 10 weeks now (during a pandemic, I know right...). Recently, I have been let to my own devices, and I have been feeling so overwhelmed. I had a full blown panic attack at work the other day for the smallest of reasons, and that really isn't like me at all. Thank you for letting me know that I'm not alone!!!
One month in to ICU position as new grad and just absolutely overwhelmed. Everything you shared is spot on to how I have been feeling 😢 May need to watch your video many times over the next 6 months.
Just had my first day on my own off orientation and boy... it was ROUGH. Everything you’re describing about your experience as a new nurse is me to a tee!! I’m going through the “new nurse blues” right now. Thankfully the nurses I work with are extremely supportive. I’m trying to stay positive! I’m going to stick with it and see how I feel in 6 months. Thank you soooo much for making this video!! I feel like I’m not alone and I have hope that I’ll work through these feelings!!
I hope every day gets a little bit easier!
How are things now Rebecca?
I can relate to this. I started out on a medical stepdown unit but for me, I was about 8 months in and completely burnt out. I was verbally abused by patients and family members almost every day. I dreaded going into work. I didn’t even realize how bad it was until my husband told me that every time I come home from work I’m always just so angry. I didn’t do anything outside of work because I was always so tired from work. About a year and half in I transferred floors to a Surgical Trauma Intensive Care Unit (in the same hospital). Now I feel like a new nurse all over again. Trying to find the icepacks 😂 on top of trying to figure out what becoming an ICU nurse is all about. It is a completely different culture in the ICU and I hope I learn to love nursing again. But I already feel a weight lifted off my shoulders after transferring units.
After finishing orientation in the STICU and learning how to be an ICU nurse, I’m sure my next challenge will be my peers believing that people in the ICU should become either nurse anesthetists or acute care NPs. So applying to FNP school will be an awkward conversation.
So so glad you are finding a better fit!! Tons of people in my program were from the icu. Let them do them and you do you!
You don't get how much this helped me wrap my head around all of the feelings I was having. The second day of my nurse resident position, and I literally felt like I was drowning in inadequacy. My preceptor was walking me threw charting, and I couldn't stop crying, and I couldn't pinpoint all the reasons why I just came up with, "I don't know what to do next". She helped calm me down, but I really couldn't put into words why I was feeling like I hated something I worked so hard for. It was a battle to even say that. I felt like I was betraying myself for feeling that way, and also not knowing stuff. Thank you for this video!
I watched this video when it was released, and now I'm a month into orientation as a new grad and having all the feels for real. Thanks so much for your encouragement. It is so hard to accept that time and experience is the "solution" to such intense anxiety and feeling so dumb. In school the answer was to study harder, be better prepared the next day, etc. I can't study my way into feeling more comfortable or understanding the nuance of our outdated, horrid computer system. It's a tough pill to swallow, being somewhat of an over-achiever and a people-pleaser, knowing that I can't entirely avoid making mistakes and letting tasks slip through the cracks. I have an intense feeling of self-loathing and disappointment and I wonder if I will ever actually like the job. Thanks for normalizing my feelings.
Literally feel like what you described. I’ve been working for a month now and I dread going to work. It’s 8 hour shifts too so I work way more often than I anticipated. Every shift is a battle and I get so overwhelmed, so it’s really encouraging to hear that those feelings of “am I really cut out for this” go away after a while, and that I can always find an area of nursing that fits me best. Thank you ❤️
Hang in there!! It is so so rough in the beginning. If you don't follow AlyssaAllDay she is a brand new nurse feeling a lot of those same feelings, might be good to watch and feel less alone! It will get better! hang in there :)
Starla, did things get better for you?
Wow. Thank you so much for this. I'm a new nurse about to finish orientation and still feeling very overwhelmed and emotional. I NEEDED to hear all of this. The part about one small task becoming so many more because you don't know how to find things really hit home for me. It's so frustrating. I also dread going to work which sucks because I dedicated so much to becoming a nurse. It's disheartening and exhausting. I cried at work the first time yesterday, right in the med room. Just from feeling overwhelmed and slow. Again, thank you for posting this. It's really helpful for us newbies.
Going into my 4th month and this video spoke to my soul. All of the things you said I have been thinking about and worrying about this last month. I really needed to see and hear this video because all of it is soooooooooooooooooooooooooo true. Thank you for making this video😭😭😭😭😭. This has helped me mentally.
i'm so glad its been helpful. Hang in there, it will get a little easier every day ❤️
I just finished my first week of classroom orientation and I'm expecting the worst but hoping for the best. I hope that being aware that I might feel like that will make it a tad easier. I know I've done very very difficult things. I became an emancipated minor in high school, I was homeless for part of nursing school, I left an abusive ex. One semester I had 4 jobs while being a caregiver for my uncle AND grandmother while being president of a club, unmedicated for my ADHD, and I made the dean's list. Hopefully it won't be as difficult as nursing school was, but I know I can do hard things. (sorry for dumping this here, this comment was kinda a pep talk for myself more than anything lol)
Thank you! I start nursing school in the fall and terrified is an understatement. This is my second chance, I already have a bachelors in another field. I’m putting everything into this, all my time, money, energy, everything. This HAS to work, and I’ve been so scared that it won’t. Thank you.
Thank you so much for making this video. I just finished my 2nd week of orientation. I hate going to work. I felt like I’m the dumbest nurse on the floor. Watching this video is making me feel so much better. God bless you!
You so got this!
Thank you for your transparency! 3 weeks in as a new nurse... it's overwhelming! Taking it a day at a time. Your video has confirmed the thought of muddling through the first six months before making any kind of job decision. Thanks again 💓
Hang in there! Congrats on the new job!
Thank you so much for this open space. I go to work in a couple of hours and my anxiety is through the roof. I've lost weight/sleep and have only been a nurse for 3 months. Just when I think I got it, I lose it. I've even considered being a unit Secretary instead. I’m so grateful for this video and others' comments.
Shronda, are things any better?
Thank you, crying right now . Just got back from work.
Hello! New nurse here! I'm 'graduating' from orientation tomorrow for my first nursing job on a Med/Surg unit and I have so much anxiety about it!! These past 8-12 weeks of orientation have been just about manageable, but I've had days where I've cried (I'm generally not the type of person who cries easily), I'm anxious every night before I sleep the day before a shift, and I feel so overwhelmed by everything that I need to remember and manage.
I am pretty good about leaving my work at work, but the anticipation about what my shift is going to be like always keeps me on edge. I'm doing my best to take care of myself and my girlfriend and family have been wonderful sources of support for me, but it really is a huge adjustment. It definitely is not what I pictured when I started nursing school.
However, I am willing to give myself the six months. I know that I am capable of doing things and my managers have been telling me I'm doing well. Orientation has definitely helped me a little bit, but there is still so much I feel like I need to know or be comfortable with that I don't have yet. Hopefully, time, experience, and self-care will help to ease this transition! Thank you Liz for your tips; it is a huge help! :)
Gosh I needed this video. I start my job in L&D as a brand new baby nurse tomorrow. I’ve been so nervous because I’ve had feelings like you described even I was just in clinical and especially when I became a PCT/nurse extern while in nursing school. I kept doubting myself because I was like “well, if I’m already so nervous and anxious as a student, how am I ever going to survive when I’m the actual nurse?”. I know I just have to keep pushing through, though. My anxiety and dread around going to clinicals/work was never because I don’t absolutely LOVE taking care of people, it’s just because I’m so nervous of making a mistake or someone getting hurt on my watch. I’ll try to be patient with myself this next year. I know the confidence and knowledge will come with time! Thanks, Liz😊
Thank you for this video.. I am not a new nurse but.. we were all new at one point whether it be as a student or a new nurse on the floor and no one talks about this part. This will help many because I think we have all been at this point and had no one to talk to about it. This is a great topic thank you for doing this video!! Thank you!!
Thank you for this insight!! Definitely something our profession should talk about more
New nurse here, just got home from an evening shift and teared up in front of my SO from the stress. So overwhelmed and I constantly feel like I’m doing something wrong or forgetting something . Here’s to 6 months
Hang in there, hope tomorrow is better for you ❤️
hey its been seven months how are you now
How are things now?
Omg ..that WHOLE rant with all the questions about her giving the patient her Lasix is HILARIOUS!!😂😂😂
This honestly scares me I’ve felt this before as a surgical tech and I can’t even imagine facing the same kind of fear ,amplified , all over again . It’s kinda exciting though and it makes me feel a lot better to know everyone’s been there so thank you!
It gets better! Do you hope to do OR nursing?
Not necessarily. I like interacting with patients and there isn’t much interaction in the OR. I haven’t even started my nursing program yet I’m still working on pre reqs and sometimes the fear of starting over makes me wonder if I should just get into something administrative instead but I’ve been doing a little investigating and I learned that there are many administrative opportunities for rns so as of now my plan is to try it out and see where to go from there
Gotcha, Humans definitely do interact more when they are conscious haha
I’m still a student. But I can hear my heart beats before every clinicals. I’m stressed out every day.
Hope it gets better for you ❤️
We are starting our first round of exams Junior 1. I am beyond scared
@@JigglingPandas96Pkm keep working hard. Don't forget me time.
I am a new grad midwife. It was only my third day today at work. It's so hard, so disappointing, so scary... Everyone is so much older and more experienced than me, I feel so alone, so lost, so unimportant. I cried today because nurse in charge (my mentor) yelled at me few times, but I kept a straight face and when I went home I just cried.
But hey thank you so much for this video, your words mean so much to me, you let me know I am not alone and feeling this way is even normal and hopefully it will get better. I am going to listen to you and hang in there for 6 more months.
Oof. The beginning is so hard. It will get easier. Hang in there