[tobrn]

I am in nursing school and continue to have problems answering all the questions the clinical instructor asks about my patients of the day. I listen to other students in my class speak and in a class of 30 I hear about 4 students who really seem to talk with confidence about all the medications and labs and disease processes going on with their patients. The rest of the students seem to be at varying levels with gathering and synthesizing all the pieces of information to understand the patient needs and to prioritize these needs. About 5 or 6 of the students appear to be on the level that I am. However I am not aware of any of these students being in jeapordy of not passing clinically.

Do any of you have any suggestions how to judge what is an expected place to be at, coming out of nursing school. It appears all of the students feel some insecurity to some degree some a whole lot more than others.

I am passing my tests but feel quite uncomfortable about passing clinicals. If I do not pass I feel on one hand that maybe I should fight the issue on the basis that I feel I am at the same level as some other students. On the other hand my confidence level is dwindling and I feel maybe I should be asking for suggestions from all of you about what else might a nursing student do (in terms of a job or career) with the knowledge learned in nursing school. The years of prerequisites and 2 years of nursing classes must be applicable to some type of work other than nursing for a student who has been through the process but does not pass and obtain a nursing license.

I really cannot afford to continue going to school as I need to move forward and provide an income for my family.

Any suggestions would be tremendously appreciated.

[beth66335]

What semester are you in? If this is your 1st or 2nd I wouldn't panic just yet, especially if your CI hasn't given you an indication that you are going to fail. Is nursing what you really want to do? If it is then relax a little. If you have never been in a medical setting before then you are not going to be comfortable in one for awhile yet and that is okay. Most NS instructors understand that you will not get it all right away, but if you are doing well in class you will catch on. I had many times this last semester I was sure I wasn't doing well enough,(and I have 5 years hospital experience under my belt) and it turned out I did fine! Don't be so hard on yourself, you may be doing better than you think! Good Luck!

[traumaRUs]

I would go to my CI and see where they are thinking you are and then do what they suggest. I think a lot of us felt that we weren't making the grade when in fact we were at least average.

[tobrn]

I am in 4th (last) semester. Final is this coming week. I tried to ask my CI what to do but got no advice only anger, ridicule, harrassment and demeaning attitude. I am passing my class. However CI says will not pass clinicals. When I read posts of new nurses on here they don't sound any more ready than I am but my 1st CI is no longer at our school as of just after midterm (That CI only require you show up and care for Pt. - no drills or questions about your day or all about Pt. labs, meds. , pathophys, diagnosis acronyms you're sure not to know etc.)
The new CI started off angry and in your face style with all types questions mentioned above. The extreme anger makes me nervous and I can't think straight even to answer the questions I do know. After final I plan to talk to someone and determine what I need to do to reverse that unsat if at all possible.
Anyone know if unsats have been successfully reversed before and who you turn to?

[free*discipline]

I have been feeling the same way in clinical until I talked to my Nursing II instructor. She told me to just read up on my patients diagnosis the night before. (i.e. pnuemonia, copd, diverticulitis) Your text will tell you all the of interventions, and lab values that are important. look in your drug guide the night before for important lab test and implications for certain drugs.....good luck. It can only get better.

[tobrn]

I wish it were that easy. I only know who my nurse will be and my 4-5 patients 2 minutes before we get report that morning at 7:30am in clinicals. When report is over then it is straight to patient care and no time to look up anything. My nurse does not even look up labs patient history etc. until 2-3pm. (kinda Pointless for her to look then)