hey, just an update. i got better at clinical and my prof said i am better. But what happened today might be the thing that got me thinking why i got into nursing. i was taking care a patient with an amputated toe, all of the sudden the doctor comes in saying he gots MrSA. we rushed him into an isolation room, wearing gowns, i changed his wound dressing. i have to say, i was really having doubts about nursing the past 3 weeks because it was really boring. but today completely changed my view, im having an idea of which area id like to go into. hopefully ill get into a busy environment that keeps me on my feet, like the ER. this is so great! at last i have found my motivation to succeed in this career.

Remember that nursing instructors are watching EVERY little move you make - verbal, nonverbal, etc. You can't be sure you won't cause mistakes, because no one does - but if you are confident in the procedure, then own it. Be confident, read up on what you patient may need before clinical, so when it comes to that procedure, that you have no question as to what will be needed. Ask for feedback from your instructor also, that will diffuse that instructor also. Egos, ya know =) Keep me posted. Don't worry about messaging me, I don't mind it.

I think what would help, in clinical, would be to run over what needs to be done, before you do it - like checking a blood sugar.... When you think independently, that is what instructor's are watching for - and how to critically think. When they see you going over how to do it, and then implementing that, they will watch you and decide if you did something wrong. You need to be confident going into a task, such as any of those, and verbalize as you go along - "I am donning my gloves, etc... etc... Something to that effect. You don't want to seem as though you're asking your shadow how to do everything, it looks better if you ask for their feedback after you have done that intervention.

hey, i had my second clinical today. i got better, but before i do something (subq, glucose test, etc) i always asked my shadow nurse to make sure that im doing it correctly. but my clinical professor got angry at me today after she saw me ask the shadow nurse the stuff. my prof told me that i need to listen more, and i need to know what im doing. she finished it with you need to step up your game or else. honestly, i think that clinical isnt that tough, but im just afraid of making mistakes, thats why i asks the shadow nurse before i do anything i think is major. you have gone through nursing school, how should i deal with this? i know i can do clinical by myself with no help, but im not 100% sure that i wont cause mistakes...
sorry if i post on your wall too much, i like to talk 1 on 1 with another person thats gone through these things before. and you seem very experienced

well good luck. Keep your nose to the grindstone! =)

thank you, first i want to work harder so i can graduate from nursing school. i should complete the course by spring of 2011. after that i know pretty much what im going to do, except i dont know which field i will like best. I am really looking forward to be a nurse in 2011.

well whatever you decide, goo luck! It's a great adventure!

hey sorry for the late response.
right now, i really dont know what im interested in. some people told me to do ER because you deal with the patient for a short amount of time. I want to try out everything first to see which interest me best. i started clinical last weak, and it was really nice talking to my patient. but i also know that not every patient is going to be nice. So i wouldn't really mind working as an RN in any field, hopefully i will find a field i like best after i graduate next year.

it has been great. Nursing is not as complicated as nursing school makes it out to be... it's very much common sense. I would recommend you become a detail-oriented person, if you're not already. Usually small things get you - charting is very detailed, completing required education (mandatory ed), then of course patient care is very detailed. nursing school made me feel a little depressed about the whole education thing. They keep you down a bit. Once I was on my own out in the real world, you can relax a bit and focus on why you went into the profession and really learn. It's hard to learn in an environment where someone is on your ass 24/7. Nursing has been great - lots of tough personalities, though - so if that's not your strong suit, dealing with some mean people, brush up on that too! What type of nursing are you interested in?

I will definitely come to you for advice when time comes. Can you tell me how your nursing career have been going so far?