Having a tough time with my NAC course

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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Specializes in Perioperative Patient Care Technician.

Prior to my NAC class, all I could talk about was nursing and how excited I am to get my schooling through with and be a nurse and on and on.

Well now I am 3 weeks into my NAC course and I feel like I am struggling. I get high A's on the exams and feel just fine with the conceptual aspects of nursing. But that skills are really getting to me. I am the youngest in the class, just 18, and I have been told that it is why I am struggling, but I don't think that makes sense. I am a bright student. I just feel like I can't get the steps down for the skills and I can't seem to conceptualize the reasons for certain steps until they are explained to me. Just the thought of "accidentally leaving someones dentures on their bedside table and having them knock it over and blow out $4k" made me have to fight back tears of fear and stress in class. I'm a wreck! I spent 5 hours in the skills lab yesterday fighting back tears! I can't seem to figure out how to interact with everyone or be "motherly" because I am 18 for christ sakes, I have never taken care of anyone in my life!

I haven't second guessed my career choice in years until now and I have all of my prereqs for nursing school completed and everything lined up to go.

Maybe I am just having a melt down? Maybe these happen? Maybe I will realize I really do love it after all?

Help! :(

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Do not take it too hard lol, because you are 18 and do not have the experience that some of the older people do. I say that you should stick with the class and do the best that you can.

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I know alot say the CNA course is easy. It is and most of it is common sense. I do agree there is so much to memorize and can get stressful when we are expected to remember 20 steps in a simple skill. I also understand about it having to make sense too, or it doesn't come easy to perform the task. Sounds like you are just a bit overwhelmed right now. Take it easy and do your best. You will be fine. You should be proud of yourself. I don't know many 18 year olds who would have the motivation and ambition to be where you are right now.

Try not to compare yourself to the others in the class. Just because you're younger and have different life experiences doesn't mean that you should not be there. Keep your head high. I admire you.

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Specializes in CNA in LTC, Hospital.

You'll do fine. Dont worry about the age think. The key is feeling comfortable with each skill using your personality. You dont have to be "motherly". A couple of us in the class I took were in our early 20s. Some people were in their late 50s. We all passed b/c we learned how to use our personality to do each skill. Some people are more outgoing and some are more introverted. Just try to be yourself and be professional when doing each skill. The key is practice. Practice a lot at home. I used my body pillow as my patient. You can use your volunteer so they get used to the routine. The keys to remember are safety, respect, and privacy. So when u go in and have to introduce yourself(respect and professionalism) and check ID badge(safety)..u dont want to be doing procedure on wrong patient. Closing privacy curtains is a must(for privacy of course). Raising and lowering beds. Raise b4 u begin procedure to protect YOUR back. Lower b4 u leave to protect patient(so they dont fall out of bed,etc) Give call light b4 u leave room, even if you are coming back right away. No one wants to be stuck w/o being able to communicate. In the healthcare world each second is important. A second could mean life or death so the call light is key. Another think to do is relax. Take the time to think when getting your supplies so you dont forget anything. You will do fine. I remember when i did a skill in front of my class and screwed up big time. i felt so bad even though i had the highest education. some even jokingly teased me. But guess what? On the state exam the evaluator said i did it all "perfectly..not one mistake" and the people who thought they knew it more passed but not "perfectly"..lol. Dont worry about the others in the class, just practice and work hard. You CAN and WILL do well.:) Good luck

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Specializes in Perioperative Patient Care Technician.

Thank you everyone, you've helped me regain some confidence in myself. I feel like I can catch onto anything and do really well, it just sometimes takes me more time to really get things processing. And I am a nervous wreck all the time because of my anxiety problems haha. Thank you again!

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Specializes in LTC.

Yeah that's what it sounds like the problem is... anxiety. Just take a deep breath, remind yourself that you'll be fine, and work on memorizing the steps. Don't dwell on the "big picture" too much because it sounds like you're getting lost in it.

It's normal to be nervous. It doesn't mean you won't be a good CNA or nurse.

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Specializes in L&D,surgery,med/surg,ER,alzheimers.

Keep a smile on your face (even a fake one) and say: "What doesn't kill me makes me stronger"...and MEAN IT! Another good one is "Fake it til you make it"! And remember, the patients life and well being are the priority, everything else, well, they are just things. Enjoy yourself! :redpinkhe

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Specializes in IMCU.

I had a teacher who emphasized that there was memory in the muscle. It is true. So I practice my skills steps at home -- even though I have to pantomime some of them. I include what I would say to the patient -- some things sound better in my head than when I say them.

This has helped me a lot and yes I have felt silly talking to myself but keep your eye on the prize.

There were 18 year olds in my CNA class who ultimately all did fine. There are also very young women in my nursing class who do just fine. They have as much to add as any of us.

You go for it!

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