Is this normal

[tsgarman, RN]

I am getting ready to start my senior year in August. When I am finished I will have my BSN. The problem is that I feel very in adequate going into my last year. I feel that everything I have learned so far is fading away. I try to practice the basics as much as I can. I chose not to work anywhere so I can focus on my studies and spend time with my family. My clinical experiences to me have not been that helpful. What i mean is that I learned procedures but did not spend much time in one area to soak everything in. I feel that as a student I am being rushed to get the job done and not necessarily getting the skills down. When it comes to lab time it was or to me it felt like show the instructor the procedure and do it fast so everyone can go home. I do know that and have been told by several nurses that what you learned in school doesn't help out in the real world. So, am I going into my senior worrying about nothing? Any advise would be helpful.

Thanks

tsg:confused:

[fedupnurse]

You will learn more your first few months out of school than you ever do in clinical. Just a case of the jitters. You will do fine so hang in there and do your best!

Good luck with school!

[WashYaHands]

I agree with fedupnurse. The jitters are normal. Do your best and you'll be fine.

Take care of yourself and best of luck to you,

Linda

[Dr. Kate, BSN, RN]

You might want to rethink not working so you can focus on your studies. Working as a NA while going to school is hard. But what you gain is greater confidence in your ability to perform basic tasks. You get quicker at the basics so you can spend more time worrying about the harder stuff. You learn how to prioritize simple tasks and demands on your time. You get better at dealing with different kinds of people (patients and coworkers). You learn first hand what the NAs can and cannot do, and methods to help them do their best (how to ask so they do things for you, how you wanted to be treated as a NA.) You may also run into some nurses who will teach you things beause you're a nursing student. At least that's what it did for me and I sure didn't want to work and go to school. I also learned from one of those RNs I worked with a really sensible way to calculate drug dosages that I took and shared with my friends, and still share whenever necessary.

If you decide not to work, be sure you put yourself in the way of as many varied experiecnes as you can in clinical. Go out of your way to help others if you have time. Make sure the nurses you work with know you want to learn as much as possible. Be proactive about your learning.

You're going to have the jitters a lot in the next couple of years. Just don't let them see you sweat too much. It will all pass and you'll be fine.

Good luck

[tsgarman, RN]

I did work as a Nurse Tech at a local hospital. For the first month I shadowed an RN got lots of experience in what responsibilities a nurse does.That was my orientation. After that the nurses did not have a clue as to what I could do or not do and the director was no help when they asked her. So I pretty much put in foley's and did accuchecks. The rest of the time I did nothing. I was very disappointed becasue the postion was designed for nursing students so that they could enhance there skills. And I felt that I wasn't learning much at all. When I would ask a nurse what they needed help with they did not seem to want to waste their time with me. So my husband and I decided it was better to focus on getting through school. I have thought about maybe working this next year at a bigger hospital since the one was in was very small.

[Mattigan, RN]

I worked as a nurse aide for years before I graduated from nursing school and am so glad. I would have been in sad shape if my only experiences had been those I got in clinicals. It was an immense help.

[Dayray, RN]

Many people have these fellings you mention. I woudlnt worry like the otrhers hae said you will learn what you need to know when you get out of school.

I also would sugest working as an tech or intern. You wont get many chances to practice skills but you will get a comfort level from just being in the hospital, working with patients and youll get to watch how nurses handle procedures and situations.

[ceecel.dee, MSN, RN]

This is how many college grads feel with their "senioritis".

Hang in there!

[robred]

Congrats on your 1st 3 yrs of study! Your concerns are those shared by many who pursue a BSN. The bottom line is that you are given a foundation to start with in the academic and clinical setting in school. The actual growth and development of your skills occurs in the 1st year and can often be enhanced by solid, personable preceptors. So, look for that in your 1st job choice. Ask to meet with a preceptor or two in your interview, etc. and get a current skills textbook (if you don't have one already) that you can use for review, etc. Good Luck!