[SharonH, RN]

I don't start my clinical rotation until next fall but I am already quite nervous about it. Can anyone tell me what their clinical experience was like? I am working on my CNS in Adult Health(Med-Surg). Thanks.

[travelbug1]

Are you a new RN? It sounds as though you have never done a clinical rotation. Please elaborate.

[WashYaHands]

I think Sharon means her clinical rotation for her Advanced Practice Clinical Nurse Specialist in Adult Health Practicum?

[BarbPick]

This post scares me. As a CNS in Oncology, if I were to ask this question in an MSN Program, I would hope someone would tell the faculty and get me the hell out of there.

When I did all the practical as a Forensic Nurse Specialist, most of my patients didn't have pulses. No harm done.

I hope this gets explained

[SharonH, RN]

Originally posted by BarbPick
This post scares me. As a CNS in Oncology, if I were to ask this question in an MSN Program, I would hope someone would tell the faculty and get me the hell out of there.

When I did all the practical as a Forensic Nurse Specialist, most of my patients didn't have pulses. No harm done.

I hope this gets explained

I'm a little surprised. I didn't realize that this was such a scary or confusing post. Could you elaborate Barb? (P.S. Linda is right).

[BarbPick]

The reply is plain and simple. You claim to be entering a program that wiill make you a Master's prepared Nurse. If this is so, why are you afraid? What is your major malfunction? If you are not ready for the task, why are you doing it?

I was responsible for guiding nursing students, practicing nurses, and demonstrate leadership when I did my Post Grad rotations, and I did my job well.

What is the problem? If you do not have confidence in yourself, why should others put their trust in you?

Someone asked if this is your first nursing rotation, sure sounded like it to me.

[travelbug1]

Sharon,
Yes this is a scarey post because if you are already in a CNS program you should have a good solid clinical background to draw from- otherwise you will lack credibility- which I am afraid is what comes through in your post. Also, who is Linda you refer to?

[WashYaHands]

Sharon,

My speciality is not in adult health, but I think it's normal to be nervous, as you will begin to function in a new role. Be open to new learning experiences and draw from the experience you have. No one was born a CNS, and your practicum is that practical part of your graduate program that will begin to prepare you for future advanced practice. Make the best of it. Best wishes to you as you proceed.

Linda

[SharonH, RN]

Thank you Linda. That was very helpful.

[steph29]

Hi,
I agree with Linda. Someone once told me that it is normal to be nervous, but it is what we do with our nerves that determines what happens. This helps me through all new situations.
But I can assure that you shouldn't be overly nervous though. I am doing a rotation in a hospital as a CNS student right now and have learned soooo much. Just thinking about where I was two quarters ago and how much I have learned is amazing. I think my experience has really built on what I learned as an RN on the floor. I do lots of teaching, research, applying new ideas to clinical situations, patient assessments and consultations with medical teams, and of course some preparedness for JCAHO and whatnot.
I hope you have a great experience. We have clinical conferences too where other students talk about their rotations and I think the concensus is that we are amazed at how much CNS' do and that our preceptors can accomplish in a day.
Good luck! Steph.