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I am an incoming 3rd year and during my one year of duty...

I was so nervous during my first day . Am I doing it right? Do I know what I am doing? But, when I came in to my assigned room I saw this lady smiling at me. The thought came in again...Do I know what I am going to do? The lady was the patient's daughter.

I approach the patient lying on the bed. He was sleeping. Tubes were connected to him. He was an post-operative patient. What am I going to do? How can make the assessment? I approached her daughter and interviewed her. 'Can I still recall the gordon's, the nanda? The Physical assessment that I have to do?' Save by the bell, a medical student on duty came in. He took his Vital Signs while I record it. He say something else to me. 'Am I going to remember what he was saying?' a thought came in again. But I did! finally, I did something right.

Then I approached his daughter again and do the interview. I thought, 'this is my first time, my patient is sleeping and I can't do anything about that'. I completed my interview but not my physical assessment. End of the day, end of my first day duty. Finally, I said. But something's wrong; when I came home and make my nursing care plan and the gordon's... I almost didn't fill the objective part! I was so scared and nervous at that time. I can't cheat on this! This is my training and this is a life we're talking about. I called the senior assigned to the same room and asked several (many, rather) questions. And when I submitted my report I felt like a dumb...I shouldn't have taken my duty and my Return demos for granted and I shouldn't have panicked!

I shared this to the first time student nurses on duty so you won't experience the same.

Here are my tips:

1. Study and Remember not to take duty and Return demos, and Gordon's and your lecture for granted. So you won't panic!
2. Relax, don't panic! (Am I the only one who did this?). Treat everything as if you're taking care of your own family.
3. Love your patient and treat them as if they are your family. Let them feel it because they are suffering so much...understand what they are going through, you are there to give care, love and understanding... that's why nurses came to life.
4. Love what you are doing because patients can feel it.
5. Even your patient is still sleeping all day... assess them. During medicine intake hours patients are awake, I recommend that time, after she/he take the medicine. but if it is still impossible, ask the relative that you need to assess the patient so he/she will help you. and even if the patient is sleeping ASK FIRST FOR HIS/HER PERMISSION...that's important!