Anxiety about Clincals

chevyv, BSN, RN · Oct 31, 2011

Only you can decide what's best for you. Being in a ltc for clinical gives you the chance to get comfortable with hands on. If you're bored, perhaps you need more than one patient. This is your chance to get comfortable with giving baths, doing at least skin assessments, and learning how to talk with the patient. We did a lot our first semester including flu shots to the residents.

Remember that the semester will end and then you'll begin a different one that may be in hospital. There you'll see IV's, caths, and you'll be doing more assessments (always, you'll be assesing). Perhaps give this semester a chance and see it through to the end. If it's not for you, make the decision then. It's not easy to get used to touching a stranger the way we do. That is what I would do, unless I really hated something and knew in my heart it wasn't for me. Sometimes, we just need to give it a chance. You're not alone in feeling the way you do. I recall more than one student who felt the way that you do right up until the end. Hope this helps and good luck to whatever you decide to do.

IVRUS, BSN, RN · Oct 31, 2011

This my first semester of nursing school and I've only had two clinical experiences and I'm already unsure about it to the point to where I'm wondering if nursing is for me. I'm doing alright in my classes but I'm not looking forword to my clinicals. During my first clinical I was just told to go into the room and do a bed bath and an assessment. I was so nervous I didn't know where to start(even had a hard time starting anything) and I felt so lost. I afraid to touch the patient and so unsure of myself. My second clincal was at a nursing home and it went a little better, but it was kind of boring and on top of it I absolutely do not like nursing homes. Everyone else in my class seems to like clinicals and I'm feeling like I'm the only one who feels this way. I have my third clincial tomorrow and I'm really dreading it. If the way I'm feeling now is the same at the end of this semester I'm considering droping out.

25 years ago when I came out of nursing school, I thought back to my humble beginnings and my feelings which echoed yours. My realization was that my fear of "the unknown" and the fear of so much responsibility on my shoulders... "was it for me?" Sometimes "we" opt to check out, when confronted with large tasks, but I pray that this isn't happening to you. Yes, you will be afraid to hurt someone, and therefore you won't be sure how to start a project such as a bed bath. But there are important things that you'll find out from that bath. And yes, will it get easier the more you do it, for sure. Also, maybe working with the elderly won't be your thing, but don't discount the experience. It can be a fascinating time as the older generation can possess such delightful insights, and chuckles beyond measure. If you quit now, you may never learn or see the workings of the mentally ill and how you can make a difference in their life. Or, that pediatric patient who changes your world when they recover from something that only can be coined a MIRACLE. Nursing provides such wonderful opportunities, and though it is not for everyone, those who persevere can look forward to a lifetime of rewards. The key is to find your niche in nursing. which won't happen if you quit, and one day you'll awaken with an eagerness to face each new day with the knowledge and compassion to make a difference in another patient's life. For me, nothing is more satisfying. :nurse:

Katniss88 · Oct 31, 2011

Thanks for the words of encourgement. I guess what my problem is I'm afraid of making mistakes, my first day when I messed up my nurses notes on my first try I felt so horrible when my teacher corrected me and felt like a failure. I'm also afraid of the unknown and so afraid of failure. I felt like quiting at the beginning of the semester because it was a lot to take in and was afraid that I couldn't do it. I'm trying to hang in there but its hard.

chevyv, BSN, RN · Nov 1, 2011

I remember writing my nurses notes down on seperate paper before writing them in the chart. I was horrible at the notes. It's not easy to write as a nurse. You should see some notes I read at work (and write occasionally) that nurses write. They are wrong wrong wrong with opinions stated as facts, some with no assesment, some that are ass-backwards (usually that's me). It's not easy. Even in my preceptorship I wrote them and asked my preceptor to look them over and comment. He was great at helping and giving me tips. By the end, I was good to go.

Don't think for one minute you're the only one. I had a really good note that included a complete head to toe ( it was very complete and well written) that I kept for at least 6 months before I accidentally tossed it. Wish I had it today.

Many places have computer charting that has you checking boxes and writing little blurbs if out of the ordinary. I work for a county and still have paper charting so I have ample opportunities to mess up. Everyday is a learning experience.

Wait until you have your first med error, jeez that's way worse! Then there was the time I gave an emergency med to a very violent pt only to get a weird feeling right after administering the IM and then checking the allergies......yep there was the med listed under the allergies. Boy did I learn from that one and tell everyone no matter how violent/horrible it is at the present, always check the allergies!!!! Hang in there and remember you are not alone. We're here for you!! :redbeathe:redbeathe:redbeathe

JKindRN · Nov 1, 2011

I totally understand, Heather! I'm in my first semester too, and have only had three clinical days where I worked with a patient. The first two we were able to pair up with a classmate, so it wasn't so scary. Last week, though, I was on my own. Talk about deer-in-the-headlights. I've never felt more in the way, lost, and out of place in my life. However, I made a point to just smile and try to give that air of "I know what I'm doing", and help out as much as I could.

As long as a bedpan didn't come flying at my head, I figured it'd be a great day! :)

I know what you mean about everyone liking clinical except for you. I'll be honest, even though this is just fundamentals, I know that LTC/Rehab isn't for me. In fact I'm dreading my patient assignment that's supposed to be coming in today or tomorrow, but if I can get that patient to smile just once while I'm there, maybe it'll be okay. You never know how you effect your patient...maybe they just want someone to talk to, and you can work on "nursing communication skills", or at least hear some really interesting stories.

I've been trying to get the most out of it and learn. Especially how CNAs and RNs interact with their patients. Day 1 I was afraid to touch my patient, because let's face it, I'm not used to just introducing myself and then "HEY! How about a bed bath!?" I'm still a little anxious about it, but I'm getting a little better. Hang in there and don't give up...maybe your next clinical site will be more exciting.

allnurses Guide · Nov 1, 2011

While everyone tries their best to avoid mistakes, mistakes will happen.

Instead of wallowing in the red-faced shame of "I screwed up and now I look stupid", tell yourself, "Well, I learned from that. Guess I won't do that again!"

You will look stupid sometimes and you just need to wrap your brain around that.

Mistakes are for learning from and as a student... or even as a seasoned nurse... you will find yourself smarter and better each time.

As for your classmates, I'll bet plenty of them feel the same way you do. They just aren't talking about it.

You can't tell me they are 100% happy and at ease.

Nuh uh. Nope.

I think it's good that you worry because I do believe a healthy dose of anxiety keeps you on your toes and makes you think twice (or thrice) before you do something. It can help you keep your pts safe because you are aware of what you don't know and are cautious.

Learning to be comfortable with pts is a big stumbling block for students. They have to force themselves to invade personal space and deal with the pt's vulnerability.

That's a big deal because if you can't get past that, you can do nothing else.

Don't give up because I think you will be surprised with what you will be able to overcome and accomplish.

Good luck :)