Starting clinicals in August....getting nervous!

[RegisteredNurse06]

Wow, I can't believe I start clinicals in August! I'm sooooo incredibly excited but at the same time, the more I think about it, the more nervous I get! I guess part of what makes me nervous is that I've always been the top of my pre-nursing class yet I know there are several people who will be in my nursing and clinical classes that are CNA's and who will know a lot more than I do already about what we'll be learning during that first semester. I KNOW they're going to be better than me at it and I'm nervous as heck about that! I almost feel like I'm gonna get left behind! I have NO idea how to change a patient, which you'd think I'd be comfortable with since I have 3 kids but I'm sure it's different with adult patients...no idea how to check a bp....I'm clueless:rolleyes: ! I know they'll go over it and teach us how to do it...but I'm afraid I won't be able to do it. OK, now....having said all of that, I also know that it is just nerves and that I CAN do this......But is anyone else feeling the nerves yet? Please tell me I'm not alone!

[All_Smiles_RN]

I'm a bit nervous myself. Seems there is several of us here who will be starting this August. We can all support each other through it. :)

...Jennifer...

[Altra, BSN, RN]

Me four. My mom asked me on the phone when I'd start the clinical part. I said a few weeks after classes started. She told me not to kill anyone. Thanks for the vote of confidence, mom!

:rotfl: My dad said the same thing during my first semester ... "Are you giving medications? No? Well, then at least you can't kill anybody yet."

:rotfl:

Unfortunately I can't tell you to relax, it just doesn't work that way, but the best of luck to all of you starting this fall - give it all you've got! :)

[mjbsn2006]

I also start in Aug. I was so ready to start,I was ok until my pharmacology book arrived yesterday. Since then my stomach has been weak thinking about it. I'm going to try to read a little before Aug 25th and do alot of praying thru the next 4 semesters. Good luck to everyone:)

[suzy253, RN]

It's normal to feel nervous. Believe me..your instructors will teach you everything you need to know before they leave you on your own with your patient. You'll be practicing on each other and on mannequins, tested on it, and have to perform each skill a certain number of times with your instructor present before you are checked off and able to do it without your instructor observing.

I didn't have any clinical skills whatsoever either....didn't know how to take BP's, do range of motion, etc. etc. etc. but you WILL learn!

Good luck. :)

[FutureIsBlue, LPN, LVN]

I am nervous too (I will be attending nursing school in September).

Good luck to everyone!:-)

[LauraLou]

I think the most important accomplishment in first semester clinicals is simply to become comfortable in dealing with patients. You won't be doing any complex procedures that could cause the patient harm. The main focus is on feeling confident when taking vitals, doing assessments, ambulating patients, etc. By the end of the 1st semester, you will no longer get nauseous when walking into the patient's room or break out into a sweat when trying to take blood pressure.

My best advice is to practice your skills in lab, be very respectful of the floor nurses and your instructor, and always appear calm in front of the patient. A competent, courteous attitude will really help, even when you feel awful on the inside.

Good luck!