when did you feel competent?

[snwflknurse]

I know that nursing is constant learning, but, for those of you farther along in your program than I am, when did you feel more competent? This is the end of my first semester and so far all I have done is physical assessments, bathing, and a LOTTTTA paperwork. I have yet to do a Foley, dressing change, enema, or anything on a real patient. (We aren't allowed to give meds until the second year in my program). Honestly, I feel like I'm so incompetent. I guess it's sorta driving me crazy that I can't DO anything yet. I haven't had the opportunity to do any of the above procedures on any of my patients. Hopefully next semester will be more exciting. I think I will only feel more competent once I get to actually DO something. I'm *almost* done with my first of four semesters, ADN program...

[kyboyrn]

I'm going to go ahead and let you know. I am getting ready to start my fourth semester of nursing school. Also, we had to be CNA's before we were admitted to thte program. Still, I feel incompetent in a lot of ways. I've done a little bit of everything, but the cold hard truth is that you'll never feel totally competent as a nurse while you're in school, and many say you're always learning, so you may never feel totally competent. We all feel like we don't know how to do anything, but when the time comes you'll get it. Most nurses say that you don't really learn how to be a nurse until you're out of school anyway.

[HappyNurse2005, RN]

i feel pretty competent as a student nurse, and im ending my 3rd semester. as a "real nurse" i dont think i'll feel confident when hte time comes!

love, rose

[caligirl]

I talked to one of my teachers about this during my first semester jr. year. She said that some people don't feel competent till they grad and some it just happens. I am about to be done with my 2nd semester jr. year and I am starting to feel competent. I got a lot of confidence this semester.

[brina]

Hi. I will be starting 3rd level clinicals in a BSN program in January. I felt the exact same way you did at the end of 1st level. Second level will be so much better. In 1st, all you really do is am care. I passed meds ONE time, but i was extremely proficient at giving bed baths and making beds, lol. When you get to 2nd you will be able to start IV's and hang piggybacks, draw blood, and things of those sorts. So when you go to clinical you will be able to actually do things that are much more "nurse-like". I still don't feel completely competent.... but I now have some confidence in my clinical skills where I use to have NONE. Good luck! It does get better.:)

BSN GRADUATE, DEC 2005

[LadyK82]

I'm still working on it.....

[stn2003, RN]

my school must have an odd program, bc we start IVs and pass all meds and blood products in the first semester. i feel pretty competent ending my second semester bc i feel like i have had a ton of practice with skills, meds, and prioritizing between multiple patients. i also work as a pct at a hospital, and our scope of practice includes inserting/removing foleys and straight caths, placing telem leads, dry sterile dressings and normal aid duties, so i know that also helps me to feel competent. sometimes i feel like i see more/do more at work assisting the nurses than i get a chance to do in slow clinical days. but it's getting better as i go : )