scared to death

Sep 08, 2008 03:03 PM

by Arkansastraveler

ok... so I hope to be starting nursing school this coming summer. Last summer I took a CNA certification course and finished. I haven't taken my certification test yet though.

My last day of my CNA course we went into the hospital and had a day of clinicals. It scared me to death!!!! I don't feel like I know what I'm doing! I had this little old lady and she would moan and groan everytime I turned her over which I had to a lot because she was incontinent. She had pneumonia so I had to wear isolation precaution gear.

I was teamed up with a girl that I (unfortunately) let do the bed bath, so I missed out on that experience.

I'm really worried that I'm not cut out for it, but I know i need experience.

I'm working at Wal-mart right now but I'm considering applying to some area nursing homes (because the hospitals won't hire me without 6-12 months of experience)

Is this a sign that this isn't what I should do!?

chevyv · Sep 08, 2008, 03:22 PM

Re: scared to death

I'm in my 4th semester and before clinical, I too am scared to death! Don't worry, its not a sign, your just inexperienced. Go ahead and apply in LTC and even hospitals. What do you have to lose by applying? Once you get a job and work a month or 2, you'll be much more confident and comfortable. Good Luck!

Melinurse · Sep 08, 2008, 03:49 PM

Re: scared to death

Jump in and take the hardest assignment possible. Why? Because you will get more experiences and it will make you a better and stronger CNA and eventually it will help with your nursing school clinicals and as a nurse. I say go for it!!!

Get the long-term care experience and wait till your first clinical rotation to reapply at a local hospital. Hospitals love to hear you're in nursing school.

Good Luck!

kathycook · Sep 08, 2008, 03:51 PM

Re: scared to death

Approach it head on

Arkansastraveler · Sep 08, 2008, 05:09 PM

Re: scared to death

Thanks so much for the encouragement!

I just went to apply at a local LTC facility. I finished my application and got to speak to the DON. She was nice, but stern.

I asked if they do anything in the way of orientation and she said that I would be workign with someone for a bit, but then told me that I would be expected to pull my weight and that they get cranky sometimes when they have to teach new people.

I expected that I would be expected to do my job, but I'm just worried because I don't know anyone that works there.

mizfradd · Sep 08, 2008, 07:57 PM

Re: scared to death

Go with what Melinurse is recommending...and best wishes to you!!

caren7171 · Sep 08, 2008, 08:53 PM

Re: scared to death

I am in a very similiar boat...last semester of pre req's and finished the CNA program in May. i was able to get in at a hospital on med/surg , so it is worth a try....Only I am completely over whelmed. On day 3, I had my first post morteum and couldn't help but tear up

I too have recently questioned my career path but feel like if we stick with it the shock value will wear off and it will become more managable , and maybe, at some point even enjoyable

Melinurse · Sep 08, 2008, 09:10 PM

Re: scared to death

Originally Posted by caren7171

I am in a very similiar boat...last semester of pre req's and finished the CNA program in May. i was able to get in at a hospital on med/surg , so it is worth a try....Only I am completely over whelmed. On day 3, I had my first post morteum and couldn't help but tear up I too have recently questioned my career path but feel like if we stick with it the shock value will wear off and it will become more managable , and maybe, at some point even enjoyable

Nicely put. After only 3 days you are doing fine. Way back when, I was overwhelmed as a CNA for weeks!

And there will be days ( many of them ) where you will feel overwhelmed regardless of experience. That's just how nursing goes.

But there are also those patients who really touch our lives and whom we touch theirs as well. It is those days, those patients and experiences that make you realize there is no better career than the nursing feild. At least that's how I feel.

I still tear up when pts pass away.

*aundrea543* · Sep 09, 2008, 07:57 AM

Re: scared to death

I just want to thank the op and all who have commented. I'm in a similar situation and this thread has helped

Thank you

Arkansastraveler · Sep 09, 2008, 09:14 AM

Re: scared to death

so I've decided... I'm gonna go for it. I was told by the DON that if I bring in my driver's license, birth certificate, and TB test and we can go from there. I'm not worried about the job anymore. I'm just gonna do it.

Has anyone ever felt intimidated around older nurses or the DON? I'm not really sure why, but maybe it's my respect for them and my feelings of inadequacy, but I just feel intimidated. Can anyone relate?

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scared to death

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