Any one else ever feel this way?

[*lisa*]

Please say I am not alone? I am in my 2nd semester and I have not had any previous medical experience(most of the people in my class have had some type of previous training) I get decent grades(high Bs) but sometimes I feel so stupid Today I had my first 5 week evaluation of the semester for clinical and she wrote in that I ask to many questions. I didn't have this instructor last semester so I guess she just doesn't know me. I explained to her that I sorta suffer from a lack of confidence so I tend to want to double check that I understand some things:scrying: I left today just feeling like maybe I don't have what it takes. Has anyone ever feel this way? Better yet has anyone felt like this and actually made it? Any advice would ge great!!

[jms79]

I too have never worked in the medical field. I ask questions if I have any. Many people ask because they are too afraid of getting yelled at or something. Iv'e had other students tell me thank you for asking the question because others wanted to know the answer too. There is never a stupid question. The stupid thing would be is never asking a question if you dont understand something. And many people dont have the courage to.

[ksunurse2b]

I'm in my last semester of nursing school and there's not anyone out there who hasn't felt the way you do now. Just a few things to keep in mind:

-Some of the people w/ previous healthcare experience don't know any more than you do!!! They're faking it. They may know some of the terminology and lingo, but that's about it. We had an EMT in our first semester who knew EVERYTHING. Needless to say, I haven't seen her since that first semester.

-The first couple of semesters of care plans are freaking hard. They're hard because you don't know what the heck is going on with the patient. I suggest getting some sort of medical book (I used Merck's). It really helped in understanding different aspects of a disease or prognosis. In the end, hospitals don't use careplans, but as much as I hate to admit it, they do help with thinking through a patient's care. Several years from now, we'll all laugh at how stupid careplans were, but they're just a step in the process. Kinda like algebra or geometry, IMO.

-As far as questions go. Think about what you're asking. You may just have an instructor who's a total "B". But maybe not. Are you asking things that you could go home and look up? Or are your questions more type specific to your patient? I've been in clinicals w/ students who literally would not shut up. I think they felt as though they had to ask questions or they wouldn't come across as engaged in the experience. I'm not saying that's you. Just think about the questions you're asking. If your instructor is not helpful in answering your questions, do more research on your own. I'm sure we've all had bad instructors. I've had two. One was extremely rude and inpatient. But I suffered through, knowing this too shall pass. I felt out her mood and if she was in a bitchy one, I avoided her like the plague!

Keep your chin up! You'll get through this. Just know that you're not alone in feeling incompetant, stupid, hopeless, etc...... We've all felt it at some time or another. Sometimes I felt like I had to work twice as hard as others. Then, on the other hand, I'd totally get something that others were struggling with. Try to find other students in your program who are like you and have similar interests. It helps to lean on others who know EXACTLY how you're feeling. Best of luck!!!

[Marr11]

I am new to this website-but it has really helped me get through some tough times. Currently I am a CNA and I am taking a Phlebotomy Tech class while waiting to hear if I am accepted into the next LVN program beginning this summer. Anyway, I feel relief in knowing that I am not the only one that feels disheartened at times esp. during my clinicals. I don't know how one day I can feel so confidant and the next day feel so lost, but I'm glad to know I'm not the only one feeling this way. Thanks to all who responded!:icon_hug:

[fleur-de-lis, BSN, RN]

One of my instructors gave us advice to phrase questions so that we are giving our recommendations and just getting confirmation that they are correct. For example, if you are not sure what to do first, give med A or do procedure B, then you go to your instructor and say "I think I should do procedure B then give med A becuase of XYZ. Is that what you would do?" It sounds like since you ask alot of questions becuase of lack of confidence this might work for you. But I agree that your instructor should be more patient with questions - it's her job and you are only in your 2nd semester! Give it time, it will all come together.

[SecondGenRN]

Hi,

I am in semester 4 of the BScN program. I feel the same way a lot! I find it the worst when I start on a new unit and feel completely lost! I ask a lot of questions myself, but I always figured I'd rather ask questions now when I have the excuse of being a student lol. I'm not taking the chance of getting farther on in school or graduating and not knowing simple tasks because I 'faked it' all through school. I think you're doing the right thing and as someone already mentioned, you won't have this instructor next semester.

And as far as the care plans and nursing diagnoses, they make a LOT more sense when you are in second year (I found anyway) It's a lot easier to make those connections when you have more knowledge of different disease processes and body systems. Email me if you need any help with them