Okie dokie. You need to think of this for the long haul. That's hard with a newborn, especially if it's your first.
I whispered to my youngest from day one. It took tons of pat/shhh, over and over and over. It seemed like it was all I did -- all day long. BUT, around nine or ten weeks it all clicked. He's been an amazing sleeper. We never had nap problems. It takes longer when you start with a newborn because they're becoming acclimated to this new world, they are learning so much at one time, there is so much stimulation all around them, etc. So, best advice -- stick with it!! Babies will often transfer learning to sleep independently for naps to nighttime sleep and you'll be on the road to a good nighttime sleeper too. It's sooooo worth it, just a huge investment in the beginning.
Keep on keepin' on -- you'll get there. And it WILL get easier, even though it probably seems like it never will from your vantage point right now.