Last Semester--HELP!

Nurses New Nurse

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Hi.. all of you wonderful grads!

I just started my last semester of an ADN program. I am stressing out so bad. I do really well in the classroom and theory. I just need some advice about clinical. I seem to feel very overwhelmed with the fear of making a mistake (ie. med error, messing up on a skill, not noticing a symptom, etc..). I have heard so many horror stories of people getting kicked out even in the last 2 weeks of school for making mistakes. My program makes you wait a full semester before getting back in. I also need help with my organizational skills. I feel busy with 2 patients. How do I get organized for 6? :confused: Does anyone have any advice for me? PLEASE!! Also any pointers on my preceptorship would be appreciated.

I admire all of you that have made it through school:nurse:

when i was in school the day befor clinicals i would go to the flloor that i had know i would work the next day. I would the clerk my id and thn check the charts for diagnosis that we were studinig in class i would also chk the meds and look up there actions and times of day when we did 2 students well, we advanced to 3 and 4 pateints priotization is essential the sicker pateints you see first do your homework on the pateints before hand and after awhile the organization will come it takes about 3 years after graduation to start feel comfortable so be pateint with yourself and pray for a pateint preceptor as a new grad

Thank-you Nyrn. I will definately pray for a patient preceptor!

I'm in the SAN DIEGO area too. Where did you go to school?

Never mind ...I just read your profile and found out about where you went to school.

I agree! I just graduated in may and am now in a level 2-3 NICU....in clinicals i worked up to four on a step down icu floor but that was only for like 2 days in our last semester of having clinicals....our last semseter we did our preceptorship and i did mine in pediatrics (everything takes longer with them) and managed 5 fine....you gotta find a system that works for you...for me...its note cards with every hour written out and what i need to do (even if it sounds stupid like you should remember....like vs...feed the baby...a med....a full assessment, ect. with a blank next to it and then i litterally check it all off as i go along....since i'm in a closed unit i can take the chart to the bedside and chart as i am doing and assessing....on the peds floor where they didn't keep the charts outsided the door (so you could essentially do the same thing) i used my notecards to also write down the imp things i knew i would forget before i charted (vs numbers, where the iv was, what the iv rate was, o2 rate, ect.) don't worry! everyone develops a routine and as you gain more confidence and more organziation little my little, you will feel confident to take on more...your preceptors won't let you drown....if you feel like you are....just yell for help and ask to take it back a step for your safety and the pts. as for feeling like you are going to make a mistake...its completely natural...if you don't feel like you need to double/tripple check a med or look it up or like you could make a mistake at any time...you are TOO comfortable and need to find another job or dept to work in (that's when you will make the mistakes) it never hurts to look the same stuff up over and over...that's how you will remember it anyway.....look at it this way...my aunt has been a nurse for over 20 yrs and she carries around a pda w/all kinds of stuff in it...basically, unless its tylenol, she looks it up just to make sure....she always said....if it was my mom....i would want them to take the extra moment to do it.....i have a bad memory anyway and its easier to remember it wrong than to misread it!...just some tips....Good Luck.....you can do it....trust yourself and in your hardwork and education!

the world is waiting for you keep the faithi.m waiting for results on my NCLEX in california it/s nerve -wrecking should know in a few days where did you go to school

WOW....thank-you sooo much for your reply tinyhands4Him! That was soo helpful and encouraging. I am actually interested in working in the NICU but was unsure if I should wait until I have more experience. I really do not want to do Med/Surg at all. I was thinking about trying to go into L/D first just to get used to handling the babies. It was my understanding that most hospitals only have new grad programs in M/S or Tele. What do you think since you're a New Grad in the NICU?

Nyrn....let us know about the NCLEX...GOOD LUCK! Where do you want to work?

I have two jobs line up one escondido and the other is a Psych nurse positiion opportunity is plentiful i hoped i passed

i was the exact same way....i knew if i had to spend even 6 mo. working with adults i would prob. quit nursing all together....i needed something that worked with pediatric patients....i didn't think i could get anything straight out of nursing school in the NICU so I considered peds (where i did my preceptorship) and i enjoyed it, but it won't even prepare you for the NICU-its just so different that any other experience won't really prepare you....yeah you'll get some skills but not ona 1 lb baby.....the physiology is way different than well babies, then peds pts, then adults.....some L&D's don't even handle the baby depending on the hospital you work out....maybe for like 30 min. and then another nurse takes over so that's something to check into when you are looking around....your main focus in that job will be the mother and the birthing process not the babe! You should check out the NICU discussion forum and look at old posts...there have been tons of new grads that have gone straight into it....and the seasoned nurses have given some great encouraging advice. I could only speak about hospitals in the SE US cause that's where I live and looked for a job, but most of the hospitals have new grad or internships for the critical care areas, peds, and ER, as well as tele and med/surg.....esp. the bigger univ. hospitals or teaching hospitals (which is an awesome learning environment and job opportunity) even if they don't exactly offer a program...the supervisors will set up something to help you adjust and learn everything you need to know...even review sessions so you will pass the nclex (if you choose to start work b4 passing it)...in a critical care area you should have around 12-16 wk orientation....demand it....you will need it and be thankful...don't worry though cause no hospital should put you out on your own even if orientation is up and you don't feel you are ready! Good luck and feel free to PM me if you have other questions!

Thanks again for all the great advice. I will take all of it to heart.

I appreciate the time you have spent on giving me this info. I will definately PM you in the future. I am off to school now. I have clinicals today at 1:30 p.m. on an oncology floor. Another fascinating day in the life of a student!

good luck

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