I feel very overwhelmed about my clinicals.

[NurseKis]

Today I had my clinicals and we had to do flu shots. I am the only one in my group that hasn't had any experience. I am also the youngest one. The first day in clinicals we had to do vitals and everyone in my class knew how to do these. i did not. My instructor asked me to do them and I told her I did not know how to do it so she told me to ask one of my classmates to help me. That day went ok.

Today we had to do flu shots. I Have never given a flu shot (or any injection) in my life! I was scared. My professor told us to read over the weekend about it but I forgot, that was my fault and I agree. But I read it while i was on break not once but three times. This professors scares me. I even asked my classmates how to do it and they explained to me but the thing is that EVERYONE IS scared to do anything with her. People are avoiding her and no one wants to do anything with her. Today I started crying because i felt very overwhelmed because I felt that i was doing everything wrong.sHE LOVED To scream at people... She told me that i should go wash my face and that she was not going to put up with drama. and again I get very red and started crying because it just happens! I cannot control it. I could not even breath right and i WAS doing whatever she was telling us to do. i WAS shaking and I felt very scared just by her presence. What should i do about this? I really feel bad. I cannot even breath right now. I just dont know what to do. I want to be able to ask questions.

Is the instructor supposed to show us what to do and then we do it or do we have to everything with her just telling us about it, without demonstration?

[zoe92]

Your school isn't accredited? Yikes.

[neverbethesame]

UNSAFE!!! UNSAFE!!! The CI is is UNSAFE!! She is teaching you to be UNSAFE!! What if that pt. had fallen and had a bleed and died and the family sued?? Then you, along with the CI, would've gotten into huge trouble and she would throw you under the bus in heartbeat if she is yelling and screaming at people.

If it's not accredited, I would get out NOW!!!

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

I actually learned that my dean went to some other state to do this... so no they arent...

Well... NLNAC or CCNE..are national governing/certifying bodies. Not accredited this can actually cause you a problem down the road.....will the state allow you all to sit for boards upon graduation? You mentioned that you are giving shots now but aren't studying it for a few weeks......that can cause a problem with the states that have concurrent requirements in the schools curriculum. It may also explain why it has been difficult for you.

States that have explicit education requirements of concurrent theory and practicum many nurses find out too late that the have have licensure issues.

excelsior college new york nursing graduates have had same issue recently. see state board licensure requirements here

these are states having concerns over concurrent theory and practicum, so i would look at other 37 states to obtain license:

Alabama

Arizona

California

Georgia

Illinois

Kansas

Louisiana

Maryland

North Dakota

Oklahoma

Vermont

Virginia

Washington"

[NurseKis, BSN, RN]

i paid so much money, i don't know where to go

[ChrisMarie09]

If you find your school is not accredited (look on the accreditation websites, don't ask the school), it may be your best option to swallow the money and move on. That is better in the long run because if you can't obtain a license, you can't get a job. If they're up for accreditation soon, it may be worth it wait it out. If they don't receive accreditation, get the hell out.

Also for transfers, ask a CNA or nurse how that particular resident or patient needs to be transferred (1 or 2 person assist, lift) and ALWAYS use a gait belt for non-lift assisted transfers.

[hope4ccns]

Yikes! I will say first that being prepared is key. I also think this is so unsafe...not only did we have to practice injections on pads, but we had to give each other(students) injections before we were allowed to give flu shots. As for moving patients we check the patients chart to see how much assistance they need and we add 1 (since it's 1st semester). So if it's 1 assist we get another student or CNA to help us. Find out if your school has open lab or if there are any 2nd year students willing to help you. I agree with the other posts...if your school isn't accredited I would try to get out...even if they are up for accreditation soon it doesn't seem like you are getting the education you need.

[tag0823]

That doesn't sound right to me. I agree with the people who are talking about accreditation. What they're teaching you seems incredibly unsafe. The school I go to teaches you everything before you do it on an actual person (as you progress of course). And you have to take a basic skills class before you get in. And for two of the biggest skills we're learning, we have to get instructor check offs. Instructors are suppose to be helpful, not yell at you. If you can't seem to get out of the school you're in, then maybe try going to the dean or head of the school to talk to them about what's happening with you. It seems incredibly unsafe to have students administer injections without practicing it first. The people who are telling you to deal with it may be misguided as well. Yes nursing school is hard, but you should be getting for what you paid for. You should have been taught those things before doing them, not just thrown into it. Especially with patient safety. I wish you luck, and try to get out and find a different school. Also, look at costs. I'm not sure where you are located, but sometimes community colleges are cheaper. And cheaper doesn't necessarily mean less education. I'm going to a community college now, and it's a lot cheaper than some other schools in the area. People I've talked to said they have wasted up to $30,000 in nursing school costs for nothing.

[NurseKis, BSN, RN]

I will see what I can do. I will try to talk to my dean first to see if theres anything that can be done ... :/

[willowita, ADN, RN]

Does your school have a skills lab where you can go and practice skills outside of classroom time? If yes, you should go there and practice, practice, practice! If your instructor is unwilling to help, to demonstrate, to interact with you, find another instructor or the person who runs the lab, anyone who is willing to show you. Maybe even a student in another year can demonstrate?

[vintage_RN, BSN, RN]

I'm sorry you've had to go through this stress. At my school, they would never allow us to perform a skill unless we had practiced it in lab and showed we understood how to do it. Especially for an injection...that would be so stressful! I hope you get the practice you need.

[PirateArrrNnnn]

Something sounds very wrong in a program where you havent learned how to do skills on manikins before clinicals. If you havent learned to do injections that says you might have not learned to find injection sites, fill syringes, pick needle sizes, and most importantly calculated medication doses. I would not waste time at a place that is not accredited. You will be stuck without a job and wasted money if you continue to stay there.

[science in flowers]

Most nursing schools require people to be a CNA for this very reason. It isn't fair for everyone to start off on different knowledge levels.