:sofahider

I start clinicals next week and am so, so nervous. They will be in acute care.

Tell me.........considering all the anxiety you had going into your first clinicals, when you finally got into them...........was it worse or better than expected? Do you ever feel comfortable??

Any reassurance would be appreciated!:)

My first clinicals were a great experience. I am working on the rehab unit and I was very nervous becuase I was afraid that I was going to hurt my patient, but when I got there we shadowed a nurse first, and the patient that I got to take care of was a TBI with contractures on every extremity, and I was afraid of how to care for him, but once I got started with his AM care everything went smooth!! My frist injection was nerv racking as well, but once I gave it I was happy that I did it. You my be nervous now but I can guarnetee that your attitude will change. I had many doubts about being a nurse, but now they are gone and know this is what I want to do with the rest of my life!!

Mine were slightly worse than expected--though not horrible by any means. We started ours at an LTAC facility. I thought we would at least shadow a nurse on our first day to "get the feel" of things, but we had to just dive on in. I wasn't used to being around such elderly, frail and ill individuals, so it scared me a bit. Also, besides morning care, we didn't get to do much of the other skills we learned in lab such as inserting foleys or NG/feeding tubes.

However as time went on, it got better. We also had a great clinical instructor, which, along with one's preceptor, can make or break an experience (of course not negating one's own "go get 'em"/assertiveness to practice one's nursing skills). Good luck!! It is really not that bad

:chuckle

I have been going to clinicals for a month now. I thought I would be too nervous to do anything but have found that I am very relaxed once I start working with the patients. I didn't know what to expect but I am loving every minute of it. I am doing my clinicals at a local hospital on a med/surg

:yelclap: floor.

Last week was my first clinical experience, day one thinking what have I done! I was buried in paperwork with my care plan which took about 12 hours to finally complete. Day 2 was better, worked with nurse who wanted to "get me ahead of the game" and teach me everything. I am thinking hold on, I am not even in the game yet. But I appreciated his enthusiasm. Week two of clinicals I observed in Endoscopy all day, It was interesting but made for a long day, you've seen one colon, you've seen them all! Next day was awesome, I observed in OR all day, first case was a c-section w/ tubal ligation, it was an amazing experience, being up close and personal. While I was in PACU a man had to be bagged, because he was having trouble coming out of the paralytic and couldnt breath, that was scary. Next case was a total abdominal hysterectomy w/ possible colon resection. Endometreosis had adhered the uterus to the colon. I am up on risers at the head of the bed, literally looking in, it was great. The nurses and doc's were awesome, explaining all the way. Next week back to pt care on med surg, I am looking forward to it. Have a great day! hope all your experiences are good or at least educational. Jennette

Mine first clinical was better than I expected. They all have been, actually.

Heck,,,,im freaking out about clinicals and there a year away!!!:uhoh21:

It was worse.

Nothing was planned well, etc.

Not to mention that the floor we were on, the nurse had no idea we were coming. Which i thought was pretty inconsiderate that they weren't given a notice.

I'm in my second year. I'm always really nervous before my shift starts, but within 10 minutes of hitting the floor I'm so busy it all goes away. Never fails, so you'd think after awhile the 'pre-clinical nerves' would go away. Go figure.

Just go in there prepared to learn as much as you can and don't hesitate to ask questions.

I'm sure they are expecting everyone to be nervous. Just don't try to rush things, and make sure what ever you do is done to the best of your ability.

You'll do fine! Good luck!!!!!

:sofahider

I start clinicals next week and am so, so nervous. They will be in acute care.

Tell me.........considering all the anxiety you had going into your first clinicals, when you finally got into them...........was it worse or better than expected? Do you ever feel comfortable??

Any reassurance would be appreciated!:)

Thank you for all the responses! Just got home from first clinicals and have to sit here and soak it all in!:rotfl: Went pretty well, no dreaded careplans until next time!

My first week on the floor was hell. My patient was a mess and I never got a break. But afterwards I felt great about myself and the whole experience. My first injection, my hands were shaking. Now it's the least of my worries. Clinicals are great!