nightmare clinical experiences

I'm finishing block 1 and don't feel we have a great clinical experience either so far. An instructor told us that anyone can be taught the specific skills, i.e. injection, catheter, etc. What is difficult is the nursing process and that is what we really have to learn in nursing school. There will be other chances and times to learn the specific skills (I hope anyway!) This makes sense to me so I'm not letting it worry me, that we aren't having the greatest clinical experience.

As far as seeing things done incorrectly, we tell our clinical instructor and let her do with it what she feels best.

Gosh, it seems soooo long ago that I was starting clinicals! Actually, it was less than two years ago. Some days I absolutely hated it. Some of my horror days included:

The catheter issue you mention, oh yeah, more than once.....

A nurse tearing the fingertip off her glove to feel for a vein, after cleaning the site with alcohol.

A nurse trying to use me as a sitter for a confused and critically ill pt.

Lots of rude nurses who are SO not interested in teaching.

A nurse I had to follow for 10 hours that would not speak to me, would not answer questions and actually slammed a door in my face.

Nurses using their teeth to uncap needles, open bags, etc..

My best suggestion, learn everything you can, the things that you will do AND the things that you wont do when you become a nurse.


Good Luck