Question: I will be graduating in 26 days and I’m terrified of the thought of going from an “expert” nurse with 20 years of experience to a “novice.” I realize that I am so green, I probably glow in the dark. Do you have any advice?
Answer: Please remember that you know much more than you realize! Your years of nursing practice, bolstered by successful completion of graduate study, have clearly provided you with the ability to provide thoughtful evaluations. This is the mark of a highly skilled clinician. How about thinking of yourself as a person who has provided healthcare for more than two decades and has successfully completed graduate school and is ready to embark on a new career challenge?
I read this Q&A question with Margaret "Peg" Fitzgerald FNP-BC, NP-C, FAANP
http://www.fhea.com/magviewer.html
This question wasn't written by me, but it could have been! These words were very encouraging to me, I add them here to share with my fellow classmates to offer encouragement to them as well- we know much more than we give ourselves credit for!
Brig,
You are an inspiration. I loved reading your blog and the last post about being green I think is frustrating to us all. Each one of us has carved a comfort zone in our many years of practice and the pain of feeling overwhelmed, afraid and stupid all over again has challenged my core. I don't know, I just don't know is all I keep repeating. What do I do?? I waver- go back into electrophysiology because I can do that with my eyes closed or challenge myself and go with women's health. Each of the people in our class are in inspiration to me. We succeed and falter together and that makes the pain a whole lot less- when you're not alone.
Posted by: jillian kalinchak | November 14, 2010 at 12:50 PM
Hi bridget-I love your blog. As for feeling "green" I didn't think anyone felt more green than I do, esp. when my preceptor asks me things on the spot like hammertoe (hallux malleolus), unlikely bacterial organisms for URI in the young, marcus gun pupil, tendon tear common with Levaquin. on and on and on. Then, when I was drawing blood on a patient, the vacutainer wasn't in properly, so the blood leaked, and the vein blew (ice pack!) and I could feel the MA roll her eyes. Oh well. I know you will do very well-you are competent and calm and knowledgeable. Let's not give up!
Posted by: Elisa O'Brien | November 14, 2010 at 10:30 AM
Thank you, I needed that! Christy
Posted by: Christy Hendrie | November 13, 2010 at 07:16 PM