[speedykicks]

What are you most freaked out about learning in nursing school? What makes you the most nervous? I am worried about taking blood. My hands tend to shake a little, even when I am not nervous, but really bad when I am nervous. I plan to take beta-blockers in nursing school so poor patients don't have to see shakes the clown coming at them with a needle.

I have been really trying to desensitize myself to the idea of sticking a needle into someone's vein. I look at people's arms a lot and visualize calmly and gently finding a vein, making the stick, etc. I know that seems strange, but just trying to gear up for it.

For all of you experienced students - do you usually get free time in the labs to just practice and practice on the models?? Do you practice blood draws on your fellow students?

[Saved_by_Grace]

I fear needle of course and knowing what to do at clinicals at first. I don't wanna be standing there with the deer in the headlights gaze going on.

[blue eyes]

Perineal care.

Can handle vomit, urine, sputum, blood etc ... but when I first started I feared perineal care the most!

We practiced giving bed baths and mouth care on the models + it is expected that we use the labs outside of class time to practice skills (may be different elsewhere).

[MIA-RN1]

They don't let us draw blood or start IV's. However, I did learn to draw blood for my job and it wasn't that bad. Believe it or not, the needle is the least of my worries; I can't tie the tourniquet! (And me, a Girl Scout leader
Anyway, so far, the worst/scariest thing for me has to be giving IM's. I am great w/ SQ's but I've only done two IM's so far and I just have a hard time with it.
They gave us a bunch of needles, syringes, and saline to take home and practice with and someone recommended instead of injecting oranges for practice, try injecting raw chicken; its more lifelike. Luckily, we don't have to practice on each other in the lab!

[gwt]

HI!
I begin my nursing curriculum this fall. Just for gp, and resume enhancement, I took a 50 hour phlebotomy course last summer. It not only calmed my fears of sticking people, but gave me valuable clinical and interpersonal communication skills that will go a long way when clinicals begin. I love it. Considering my present occupation is on the line, I figure I can work a phlebotomy shift part time to help get me through the rest of college.
Even though I'll automatically have my CNA certification after the first nursing semester, plebotomy is a super way to learn to deal with people from all walks of life and is an excellent adjunct to class by helping you develope a more comprehensive understanding of blood chemistry, urology etc. at the same time. If you get to know the lab techs, they might let you hang out and learn even more to supplement your knowledge of lab tests and values.

[TINAMARIE28]

I am a new student also, and my worst fear in 102 was bathing my first patient.I don't know why, when the time came, I jumped right in and completed the task.
In 104 my worst fear was inserting a Foley on a real pt. We practiced with the "dummies" in the lab. I have a stuffed rabbit (don't laugh- whatever works!) that I put on my couch, and I practiced for 2 weeks on that rabbit. Of course there was no place to really insert the catheter, but I pretended. Anyway, my last day of clinical, my Instructor, myself and 2 other students were in a pt's room, and the other student was to do the catheter. She messed up so the Instructor said, OK, your turn Tina. I was VERY nervous but I tried not to let it show. And I got it the first try--woo-hoo. I was so excited! I walked out of the room, did a high five with my other classmate, and felt like I was Super-Nurse!! :hatparty:
I practiced on an orange for my injections. I love giving injections to patients. My husband says I'm sick! I also practiced inseting an NG tube on my poor stuffed rabbit, and I hung IV Piggybacks from my shower for 2 weeks.
Now, going into Med-Surg this fall, my worst fear is getting chewed up and spit out by my clinical instructor. I also have a lot of other fears about Med-Surg---such as FAILING! I am 45 y/o, failing is not an option!!!
Anyway, whatever seems to be your worst fear when the time comes you will get through it! Take a deep breath, have confidence in yourself, and just jump in and do it!!! You will succeed!
Maybe I should take my own advice!
Tina

[tencat]

FAILING! 'nuff said

[LeiaT]

Gagging too much/at inappropriate times.

I have a bad gag refelx when it comes to certain smelly things.....For instance, now don't laugh, the smell of rotting food, and this is really bad--the other day when I was changing my nephew's diaper (he's not even 1 yet) I gagged so much that I threw up a little in my mouth! This has never happened with my son, who's 2 now. He's even vomitted all over me, and I didn't gag once.....

I've talked to one of my friends who is a CNA and entering the program this fall, also. She says I'll get used to it. She did! I hope so!

[MonkeyRN]

My biggest fear right now is starting IVs and taking blood. I have a very strong sense of smell that also scares me. When I was younger I came close to vomiting every time I heard someone else doing it... I hope I'm over that as well!! My other fear is our uniforms, they are white I have orientation on Thursday and I'm hoping they changed the uniform color but I'm not holding my breathe!

[Bobbye]

Originally Posted by tencat

FAILING! 'nuff said

Amen!!!!!!