feeling discouraged

GingerSue · Sep 1, 2007

is there a way to get the some of the skills experience so that you will feel more confident?

make up a skills checklist and approach your clinical instructor about these procedures that you need supervision with

sum07 · Sep 9, 2007

I would talk to my clinical instructor if I were you. Is it just that you're not getting the chance to perform the procedures that other students are performing? Maybe you should try finding a nurse tech position.

eldragon · Sep 9, 2007

I have about 3 months before I graduate from my LPN program, and I feel like a different person. I learned alot from it, and not just from clinicals.

And I inserted my first catheter last week. We don't do Iv's, but I've done IM's and SubQ shots. Basically, you have to assert yourself and jump in there. Sure, there are times when I am so nervous I don't want to do something, (like last week when that angry patient ripped the top off of her colostomy just as I was walking past the room, and I saw a CNA yelling into the speaker to the nurses station, HELP! I really wanted to keep on walking and avoid that mess and smell, which was horrible, I might add...but I marched in that room and started cleaning.)

Be assertive in clinicals.

deeDawntee, RN · Sep 9, 2007

i'm about to graduate the LPN program and I feel like I don't know ANYthing. I've barely got to do any procedures. I still haven't done an IV, still haven't inserted a cath.. the opportunity just hasn't presented itself yet. I feel like I'm behind everyone else as far as knowledge goes. I get great grades but when I'm at clinical, I just feel like I don't deserve to be there. I'm not confident and people can tell, I'm sure.
Anyone else feel like this? It's mostly in clinicals that I feel so inadequate compared to everyone else, including my fellow students. If you have felt like this, does it get better once you began working in 'the real world'?

I think you need to relax. Clinical experiences vary sooo much even from student to student. After about a month on your first job, you will see that it really isn't that big of a deal and after 6 months you will wonder why you worried about it at all.

Even now, experienced nurses ask for help all the time. We still have misses and we help each other out frequently. As a new nurse, even after you are done with your preceptorship, I can't think of anyone who wouldn't be happy to help out with a difficult foley or NG. It is OK. You are not expected to know all the skills as a new nurse, and even those who have done 1 or 2 in clinicals, well that is far from mastery, and doesn't mean a whole lot... the point is that you will have help throughout your career. Relax and trust that it will be fine on your first job!! ;)