confidence getting better and better

[peaceful2100, BSN, RN]

Hey everyone! Today was the end of my third week of clinical and let me tell you things are really starting to beginning to look up on the clinical side. Things been looking up in the classroom but now it is finally starting to kick in clinical wise. I don't feel so intimidated or clueless anymore.

I tried my first IV start on a patient and I am so disappointed because I almost had it. I came so close but close enough is not good enough. My instructor said Don't worry because the Dr. came in and my concentration was totally interrupted and it was my first time. The patient was also a hard stick. My instructor said IT will come.

I am much better at doing assessments and giving meds like IV meds. It took me 15 minutes to make a bed yesterday and today. IT was my first time ever making a hospital patient bed.

The nurses are now so much nicer. I think it took a while for the nurses to trust us and realize that we are capable and intelligent students who are extremely eager to learn. The census on the floor has also been low than what it was the first two weeks so of course that always helps.

I know there will be rough days but I also know that it will get better too and things will begin to feel second nature and I will be able to do it without problems or struggling.

I go in to my patient room in the morning, introduce myself, assist with bath/oral care, prepare pt for breakfast/assist if needed, make sure patient is comfortable, give meds and other care if need. I come back and check on my patient every 10-15 minutes but I feel like I should be doing more that what I am doing. I just can't figure out what or how. Is it because maybe I only have 1 patient and feel like I don't do enough. We are going to be getting 2 patients starting next week.

Well, got to go, I have pharmacology reading for friday and have to put the final touches on my paper.

Take care

[MRed94]

OH, I am so happy for you!

See??? Didn't we tell you?

Trust me, it just gets easier as time goes by.

Take care.

Marla:D

[debbyed]

It's really great when all the theorycomes together in the real world and you can actually said "I get it". Best of luck with the rest of you schooling, sounds like you'll make a great nurse.

[jeharshman]

I felt the same way! I am in my second year of nursing school and all last year I was very unsure of my abilities. Now all of that has changed! We are about 11 or 12 weeks into the year and I am a different nurse. I gave my first IM and the recipient said it did not even hurt. I tried to start my first IV and I got great blood return but the vein blew. The patient was very dehydrated. The nurse that tried to get another IV started after me did not even hit the vein. I will try again maybe tomorrow. My hands still shake but I have the skills and I will succeed. I look forward to clinical each week. It is hard for me to believe that I will be a RN in just a few short months. Keep on Trucking!!

Jess

[thewhip]

Keep up the good work Peaceful! I too am a student. I am still taking the pre-nursing courses though. Clinicals sounds scary but if there is a lot of support which it sounds like you have, I bet it makes it all the easier! Good Luck!

[jschut, BSN, RN]

Keep up the good work! I knew, and you always knew, and WE ALL always knew YOU COULD DO IT!!!!!!!! :D :D

Julie:)