My instructor says Im imcompetent. :(

mrsboots87 · Apr 3, 2014

Have you sat down with your instructor (both theory and clinical) to see what tips they have for you since they see you weekly? What are the reasons you are being given for being incompetent? Being insecure does not equal incompetent. You would have to be doing something wrong, or not doing enough to be considered nursing at your level. To fix your problem, you need to first take responsibility for what you are doing wrong, and then do something to change it. If you are not showing initiative in clinical, then make sure you always ask the RN what you can help with, or what patients need something that you can do. If you are nervous around patients, take a clinical to just go to each patient you see and start a short conversation with them to get used to talking to strangers. If there are skills you are failing at, then practice more and take as many clinical opportunities to practice them as you can. If you are not getting your assigned tasks done on time, then make a schedule to help you sort out your day. Do you fully understand your patient(s) disease process and meds? Do you know what you should be assessing on them? Do you know what intervention you should be implementing during your care of them? Does your careplan refelect that knowledge.

Asking what you can do to change yourself without providing the reasons for your incompetence wont get you far. And nursing is far more than administering needles, charting, and building relationships with patients. If that is all you are doing, then that right there is why you are being told you are incompetent.

mrsboots87 · Apr 3, 2014

And side note, I am not trying to be rude or harsh, but my comment may come off that way. I truly hope you figure out what you are doing wrong so you can work on getting better. GL

kringkring5144 · Apr 5, 2014

Yes I have sat down with both of my instructors for theory and clinical

Theory- I was told that I need to study out things different from what I expect to see in a patient to what symptoms can cause the most concern. She also told my lack of confidence is getting the way and told me she will be let me see my previous tests before the final to make sure I get a good review on them.I am just getting nervous since the ATI test is coming up which can drop me 5% if I dont pass it for 2 times.

Clinical-I was just told that seek for too much reassurance whenever I am giving medication or when I know a patient cannot take a certain med like NPO(cant take oral or food). She said I should be able to do things without prompting her so much since I should already know this from lab. I think it is definitely from my lack of confidence.

She did not mention failing me, but told me i had two more clinical days until I can be successful. She still mentioned me going on to the next semester.

mrsboots87 · Apr 5, 2014

Yes I have sat down with both of my instructors for theory and clinical
Theory- I was told that I need to study out things different from what I expect to see in a patient to what symptoms can cause the most concern. She also told my lack of confidence is getting the way and told me she will be let me see my previous tests before the final to make sure I get a good review on them.I am just getting nervous since the ATI test is coming up which can drop me 5% if I dont pass it for 2 times.
Clinical-I was just told that seek for too much reassurance whenever I am giving medication or when I know a patient cannot take a certain med like NPO(cant take oral or food). She said I should be able to do things without prompting her so much since I should already know this from lab. I think it is definitely from my lack of confidence.
She did not mention failing me, but told me i had two more clinical days until I can be successful. She still mentioned me going on to the next semester.

That's great that she has confidence in your ability to pass clinical. It means you must be doing something right. I think confidence with patient care will just come with time. I am very personable and have no trouble working with patients, but I'm not terribly confident in my ability to perfom my level skills (first block) outside of the med pass. I still get nervous when transferring a patient or when doing my assessment and something is abnormal. My hand was shakey while drawing up unsulin for an injection today. But I fake it till I make it. I don't let my lack of confidence in myself show. And when asked something Im not sure about my answer is always "i will find out. " and I immediately go find out. I think we all feel a lack of confidence in ourselves and we should since we are fresh and new at this. Its just a matter of hiding just how incompetent you feel so the instructor and patients don't know.

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Apr 5, 2014

It's one thing to seek reassurance for certain things but another to constantly double check and triple check once you KNOW about what you're supposed to do. It's a healthy thing to have great respect for the medications we're to give, but once you're certain it's OK to give, do it.

Now then, I'm not saying that you shouldn't question the orders. If your patient is NPO and you see nothing that indicates whether the patient is to get their meds, ask about that! It very well could be that the patient is NPO except for medications and the physician/surgeon forgot to specify that... or the patient was made NPO for everything.

It's OK to feel uneasy about things. It can make you be careful about doing things, but don't be so uneasy/unsure that you're paralyzed by your fear.

William2 · Apr 5, 2014

I find that a lack of confidence in clinical just comes from a lack of experience in a nursing related field. I have watched classmates who did the CNA thing before nursing school and didn't work as one after, then join school to become nurses.Well, Its been 2 years and they are finally at a pace that they feel comfortable with meds, patient care-the simple things that for some reason just to beat you up until you get enough experience to get around it and get some know how. Definitely made their life harder for awhile.

So it may help if you do not succeed to not give up but just get some experience on the floor as a CMA and CNA for patient care aspect. It can't hurt.

Not that i want you to fail, but it does sound like you are struggling. I do not know what assistance 1 person could offer than suggesting you read your chapters and find questions to test your knowledge and re-read the areas you struggle. Find some way to understand the info.

At clinical-well again comes with experience. As my boss told me when i was 15 having to clean someone up fwith an explosive bm as a newly certified nursing assistant: just get in their and do it. Don't think, just do. You already know what to do/should know. So just do it; get it done.

Therefore, built some confidence.

MedicalPartisan · Apr 5, 2014

That's rough, but don't let it get you down. Just know that your instructor is not saying that simply to demean you; it's likely a reality check. In life we often wish we could go back and change a situation or event that didn't turn out well. For you, that time is now; this is your chance "go back in time". Instead of failing out, know that you have no option but to improve. You have already identified that you lack confidence, change it. And study hard. The time you spend in nursing school is so minute in the grand scheme of things. Sure, you're tired, most students are. But you have to push yourself if you want to succeed. I wish you the best. You can do this!

kringkring5144 · Apr 7, 2014

Thanks a lot! I was just getting hopeless for a second there. I did not pass my ati the first time :/ a bummer.