Thanks for taking the time to read my (long) post. I would love to hear from experienced RNs who can give me some advice as to whether or not my worries are valid, or if I'm making a big deal out of nothing.
I'm currently in my 5th semester in a BSN program which is 8 semesters long. We are finishing up our Med-Surg 3 rotation. Over the summer I'll do an internship as well as Peds, then the fall and spring semesters will consist of paid externships as well as community health and leadership classes. Right now clinicals consist of working on a tele floor, as well as a few days in the ER and the ICU. I really love what I'm doing, but after last week, any self-confidence I had managed to muster up has really plummeted. I was responsible for only two patients, and it felt like no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get things done on time. My clinical instructor tells me I'm doing very well, but that I'm not "aggressive" enough with the staff. I also notice that when I get overwhelmed, I forget how to do the simplest of things. One of my patients had a trach with a T-piece and needed to be suctioned. Afterwards, RT asked me to grab the Yankauer and suction her mouth. It suddenly dawned on me that I had had very little experience with suctioning, and in my anxiety attack, I couldn't even figure out how to attach the yank to the suction. I felt like a complete failure. I'm supposed to be an "advanced" med-surg student, and here I can't even figure out how to set up a simple suction device. I later had my instructor come in and help me learn the in's and out's of my pt's respiratory care set-up, but I felt so bad.
My question is...little things like this keep happening to me, and it makes me feel terrible. I hate all the "little things" that I forget and/or take me forever to figure out. Generally speaking, I have good experiences during clinical, but sometimes I get a nurse or pt who obviously thinks I'm a complete idiot and it destroys my confidence. (I'm 24, but I look about 16, so that doesn't always help, either!) I'm a great student, but I feel I'm lacking in the clinical area. I've struggled with depression and anxiety and extreme shyness my whole life, so the transition to nursing school has been a real accomplishment for me. I love my patients and work hard to communicate well with the staff and to offer my help when needed. If I need to perform a skill, I ask for it. If I feel my pt needs something he or she isn't getting, I advocate for him/her. Unfortunately, I still feel that my organization, prioritization, and overall timidity really holds me back. I would try to get a job as a student tech but honestly I don't have any time, the program is very demanding and if I worked, I think my grades (and my marriage) would suffer. Am I asking for trouble when I step out next year as a new grad, or will the upcoming internship and (hopefully, if I get hired) externships provide me with the experience I need to patch up any holes?
Once again, thank you to everyone who has responded to my desperate post :wink2:, I appreciate all of your input so much and I'm starting to feel a little better about things...any further advice is welcome, and a big "Thank you!" to all who have taken the time to reply.:heartbeat I hope one day I will be able to look back on these experiences with a sense of humor, and perhaps even help a student in need!
She sounds like she's hunting for a diamond. What a scuz thing to do. She left you alone and she abandoned her patient. Never mind the PPE, how does she look in stripes? And then tells you to makes mistakes now? You? What about her? This just infuriates me. :angryfire:angryfire:angryfire:angryfire:madface::angryfire:angryfire:angryfire :nono:
I think you should discuss this with your Instructor.
I agree, and I did discuss the issue with my instructor. I know that in the real world things happen and meds are not always passed on time (I'm a prime example of this), but from what I've learned about seizure medications, especially Dilantin, it's not exactly something you want to wait too long to give. Plus she was NOT "really busy" as she told me when she came back in the room, I could SEE her at the nurses' station chatting with the doctor.
:nono:
JMG2207
14 Posts
Once again, thank you to everyone who has responded to my desperate post :wink2:, I appreciate all of your input so much and I'm starting to feel a little better about things...any further advice is welcome, and a big "Thank you!" to all who have taken the time to reply.:heartbeat I hope one day I will be able to look back on these experiences with a sense of humor, and perhaps even help a student in need!