I just need to vent...

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Specializes in School LVN, Peds HH.

I'm abouthalf way done with my LVN program and Med-Surg rotation. Clinicals are the hardest thing for me... I do great in theory. But I need a little extra encouragement and patience with clinicals. Its not that I dont do what Im supposed to. I try, very very hard. However, my clinical instructor seems to not take notice. Im finally ok with giving meds, I'm not nervous at all anymore... and I actually got a "good job" from my instructor today. But she stands over my shoulder, hovers over all I do and I always get that disapproving look. To make things worse, she has her favorites and she lets them go visit Cath Lab, OR, GI ect... I stay on the floor. Which is fine, the more experience the better. I was ready to quit 2 weeks ago. Nothing I do is right and I RARELY get encouragement. Are your clinical experience this way? I feel as though students should be encouraged and guided. I feel neither of these things. I don't even feel like I can ask her a question without her making me feel like the biggest idiot in the world! I'm very glad this term is almost over...

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Specializes in pedi, pedi psych,dd, school ,home health.

(((nursereach)))) I think we have all felt frustrated during one point of our clinicals or another. Perhaps your instructor is feeling your lack of self confidence and is trying to give you moe experience on the floor before she sends you off to a specialty? I would ask politely at a non clinical time if she could send you the next chance she could. good luck!!

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I was the same way in nursing school. Now I work in the ICU and function fine. Once I'm used to my surroundings and the flow of work, I'm fine. I also did great on theory and sailed through my tests.

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Specializes in OB.

In my second semester I had an instructor that could be your instructors twin. She never gave me any postive feedback, gave disapproving looks or ignored me - unless it was to give "constructive criticism" it went as far as her finding the most nit picky things "you are too high energy". Staff loved me, and would give her feedback " she is great. going to be a great nurse, excellent skills" one time a nurse told her that I had an amazing IV start that others had failed at and she said "huh" and walked off. She had her pets as well, she listened raptly as they spoke, gave them actual pats on the back, like walking up to them touching them and saying " good job" my mid term and end of semester eval was full of put downs. I almost quit the program because of the hell she put me through. It was the worst semester of my entire college program. I felt like a nothing, my self esteem went in the toilet.

But you know what? I plogged along, and just said " Ok I will try to improve.. etc etc" and then 3rd semester I got an instructor who loved me, and this final semester, I have been precepting and have already gotten a job offer because I "am an excellent student" a Dr. even talked to the NUM and gave me a reference for the job.

The BEST part of all of this will be walking across that stage in front of that crack and showing her that she did not break me. How dare she try to take away my dream, and how dare I EVEN CONDSIDER LETTING HER.

hang in there. stay strong

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Specializes in Cardiac Care.

Some excellent advice above.

Clinicals are a necessary part of the learning process, and school (although it may seem like it) will not last forever. Clinicals are designed to put into practice all that theory you learn in the classroom; therefore, it's not wasted. Every clinical experience should teach you something, even if it's only how this specific instructor operates. You can vow not to be like her! I've found that most instructors are very responsive to people who seek out new experiences. I wouldn't wait to be sent anywhere; I'd ask to go. I'd ask if there was anything I could do to get a better handle on a specific task. I think it's encouraging that you got a "good job" from her! Show her that you know your stuff, and ask for assistance when you need to. And please don't quit; school really is only temporary.

I wish you sincere good luck and success.

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Don't give up , keep telling yourself you can do this. I used to feel the same way. I had a clinical instructor that I felt was the same way. She pulled me aside one day and told me I was my own worst enemy. She told me also to quit beating myself up all the time. My confidence level grew and grew. I am now about to graduate from ADN school, and I love my clinicals. I learned alot of valuable information from that teacher. She taught me to quit doubting myself. Take every experience you can get, and learn from it. And if you are not sure, do ask. I would spend alot of time the night before clincial preparing for the next day, such as reading up on procedures etc, learning the drugs, and my clincal instructors could tell, as they would write about it in my eval. I also learned alot about myself from this clinical instructor. Good luck to you!

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Specializes in OBGYN, Neonatal.

The advice here is all great! I say keep up with it and just know that soon you will not have that teacher anymore!

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DON'T QUIT - DON'T QUIT

you are not going to school for positive feedback, it would be nicr and it would make you feel better about yourself but this instructor is not a reason for quitting

you will survive

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Hang in there. You'll get the hang of it. I too, am in somewhat of the same boat. I am probably getting the top grade in theory in all my classes or at least among the top but I am really hesitant in clinical. I think it's a very common problem but I also think it will get better with experience. There's several of us in class who are experiencing this. I suspect it has something to do with being somewhat of perfectionists. School work comes easy for us & we want so bad to do that caliber of work on the floor but it's just not the same kind of learning. I have classmates who are doing horribly in class but put them on the floor & they really shine.

Dixie

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Specializes in LTC, home health, critical care, pulmonary nursing.

Are you in my class?

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Specializes in ICU;CCU;Telemetry;L&D;Hospice;ER/Trauma;.

Awww, that ole crank is probably all bent out of shape because that house in Kansas fell on her sister!! ("I'll get you and your little dog toooo!")

I think it's common to have one instructor that just rattles your cage a little....don't worry....you are stronger, smarter, and more confident than you realize....all of what you need is right there inside you....just reach down deep, and grab hold of it....and don't let ANYONE take that from you...

Work hard, do your homework....and put your patients first....you will never go wrong with this method...

Hang in there....

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I think we have all been in your position at one time or another. I, too have those days sometimes. You just pick yourself up by the boot straps and go on. Being on the floor is the best experience you can get. Consider yourself lucky. Yes, they may get to visit places, but you're getting more expereince with pt care and the more you do the more confidence you'll gain. Check out my blog http://my-journey-as-a-student-nurse.blogspot.com/ I talk all about my last clinical day and how horrible it was. Visit the Overwhelmed post and you'll see it. Don't be so hard on yourself, you're learning and doing the best you can.

Good luck to you and keep your chin up.

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