I am a first year nursing student who began classes in August . I am loving all the fundamental stuff, however, I am having a hard time dealing with performing all the skills :uhoh21: . Does any one have words of encouragement or just words of what worked for them to calm the demons? I am 40 years old and a mom of a really terrific little boy. I would like to handle this.

Has any one felt this way? Has any one conquered these feelings to go on to perform really great skills?

I sought out the worst (nightmare) patients. Ones the nurses didn't want to take care of. As I was able to connect with them, I find that I felt better, because if I can handle them I can handle anything.

Another thing is, treat each patient as if they were a family member, based on age, grandma, grandpa, aunt uncle, daughter, mom. Treat them as you would hope your family member are treated.

Make small talk, it will do wonders. Ask whats really going on, and actually care what their response is. You will find out alot just doing this.

Remember that family members are just as distraught as the patient. Treat them with respect and always ask if theres any questions they might have. Teaching the patient and family about a disease is the best way to learn it!

Good luck, you will be fine, just never forget, you CAN do it!

I had performance anxiety throughout nursing school. Do your best to conquer it. This key to getting over it is to practice the skills over and over. Take all equipment home that is possible, practice, practice, practice drawing up syringes, inserting foleys, ivs. Get a Basic Skills and Procedures books & look at each procedure "how to," carefully reading each direction. Act confident no matter what at clinicals. Believe me you are not alone, each student is terrified, most just seem confident but are not. Volunteer to do any procedure, get as much practice at the hospital you can. If anxiety really gets the best of you, see a dr. and consider medication. I have seen so many students (including myself) just drown in school from self doubts. Hey i was in my 40s also while in school. Wish you the best of luck.

yes i totally know what you mean. I was nervous in skill lab but I knew that the only thing that would make me feel less nervous was confidence...confidence in my abilities..so i studied and practiced until I felt comfortable...

a word of advice...if you know your stuff when you go to do it on a real patient most of it will come naturally! Instead of in skills lab when you say out loud, i would wash my hands, check my patients arm band, get my supplies, keep everything sterile, close the curtain to provide privacy, raise the bed to working level...etc...that stuff will come naturally...or atleast after the first few times it should. Then before you know it that foley cath is in and youre done!:)

good luck!!:) you'll make it, almost everyone is nervous about new skills!

I passed meds for the first time today! I thought I would be nervous when I passed them but it went very smoothly! I had an IV push med over 2 minutes and a sub q injection of heparin. I think my pt. was worried, lol...she requested that i show her the syringe, she wanted to make sure that i got all the air bubbles out...lol...happy to say that once I got in there it just flowed...i suprised myself but i knew my stuff...i had practiced so many times that i just found myself going through the steps without a problem....i also think my pt sensed that i wasnt nervous and i saw her relax a little too...i cant stress enough how important it is to feel confident in your abilities, your pts pick up on that!

Like I said, im sure you will do great, you sound like a very motivated student!:):)