does anyone else dread the clinicals?

PapaBearRN, BSN · Nov 28, 2013

As a first semester student you're there to learn and observe. You're not going to know everything so don't be afraid to ask questions and don't feel like you should have every skill down. Ask a million questions if you have to. Who cares if the nurses become annoyed with you, this is your future and the safety of your patients.

Savvy20RN, BSN, RN · Nov 28, 2013

I disliked clinicals for the simple fact that when I was being observed by my clinical instructor I tended to forget the skills I learned in class. Everything felt like it was in slow motion and everything I did was wrong. Being watched made me nervous. I found that after I started working as a nurse and could actually work through the steps of putting in an IV, inserting a foley, inserting an NG tube, etc and no one was there to rush me, question me, etc I did my job well. Now it doesn't bother me quite as much now that I've been working for almost 3 years. I was never paired with a mean nurse. Oddly, being observed by a nurse in the hospital was less stressful than being being watched by an instructor...

LoriRNCM, ADN, ASN, RN · Nov 29, 2013

I disliked clinicals for the simple fact that when I was being observed by my clinical instructor I tended to forget the skills I learned in class. Everything felt like it was in slow motion and everything I did was wrong. Being watched made me nervous. I found that after I started working as a nurse and could actually work through the steps of putting in an IV, inserting a foley, inserting an NG tube, etc and no one was there to rush me, question me, etc I did my job well. Now it doesn't bother me quite as much now that I've been working for almost 3 years. I was never paired with a mean nurse. Oddly, being observed by a nurse in the hospital was less stressful than being being watched by an instructor...

^^^^ THIS gives me hope. Makes perfect sense that when the pressure of being "graded" or failing clinical is off, you can perform the skill with less stress.

Blaquechinadoll · Nov 30, 2013

I dreaded my first clinical experience only because of the instructor. As far as the techs & nurses on the floor, they were grumpy at first, but soon appreciated the way their work load was lightened by us. The report giving part came a bit easier to me because of my previous job. May I suggest that listening to talk radio in the mornings, esp around the time the traffic & weather report are given, you will learn how to listen fast and tune out accents.

My subsequent clinical experiences started out with frazzled nerves only because I was afraid that my new instructor would be a repeat nightmare of my first one. Luckily, each experience after the first one has been rewarding and full of knowledge. It gets better. Just remember why you are there: to increase YOUR knowledge and experience.

donjon2015 · Nov 30, 2013

" I am not very bad at theory classes but Clinicals are something i dread the most! Idk i always feel like i am super dumb at the clinical as well as while performing the skills in lab (such as sterile technique, wound care etc..). I made a lot of mistakes at clinical as well as in lab; so my instructor suggested me to retake this course next semester. It's really negatively affecting my self esteem and makes me feel like i am not going to be a good nurse!"

OF COURSE YOU MAKE MISTAKES YOUR a NOVICE...YOUR A ROOKIE lol

I did the same things in LPN School, but possibly worse.

I hate to say it about Nursing school, but they'll do that to you.....it's the culture of Nursing...."tough love" and "tough criticism" and those Nursing instructors will destroy you're self esteem...i dont agree with it....but I understand why they do it that way sometimes....and why some instructors are that tough

But truthfully it's a test.....they want to put you under stress and pressue....how you deal with stress and pressure long term is apart of the equation

But for advice on how to get through it:

#1.) Get in the skills lab, and practice until you're comfortable...or see if theres ways you can practice skills at home....I used to always take sterile gloves and dressings home to practice from the lab and my school even gave us IV bags to take home..

Injections...well you're on your own lol.....but a pen with a clicker does the trick to simulate.....dont steal IM needles from the lab...if you ever get pulled over ...good explaining that to the cop...or just tell them you're a "diabetic" who uses the wrong size needle lol

Wound Care?? Get a parent or a friend ....get a red marker, draw a red spot with some whitish, yellowish in there...simulate a wound and get out your supplies and get your Nurse Hat on!!!

also for a #1.b) DONT UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF YOUTUBE

this generation of Nursing students has so much more to their disposal than previous older generations of RN students from the 1990s

Watch Youtube videos on some skills if you can find them....or med com videos whatever helps to reinforce your skills

#2.) Poise:!!!! Always maintain your poise....if you lack poise and confidence in yourself, then your patient will not have confidence in you....so even if you dont have any poise or confidence.....pretend like you do and Lie lol....put on you're fake poise face and hide your anxiety.

#3) Remember....we have all been there alone....and dont feel stuipd....you are not stupid....You just lack Clinical Sense....

In Nursing you are respsonsibe for so much info....youre responsible for everything with the patient from physically to psychosocially....it's truely holistic...and it's tough because you have to be "jack of all trades" and know so much material

But I guess what im trying to say is.....it's gets better with time and experience. Some people can do well with the book work, but struggle with taking the book work and putting it into practice....thats normal....even when you get youre first job that may be the case, but once you get into a job specialize and get comfortable....it gets better

Stephalump · Nov 30, 2013

I disliked clinicals for the simple fact that when I was being observed by my clinical instructor I tended to forget the skills I learned in class. Everything felt like it was in slow motion and everything I did was wrong. Being watched made me nervous. I found that after I started working as a nurse and could actually work through the steps of putting in an IV inserting a foley, inserting an NG tube, etc and no one was there to rush me, question me, etc I did my job well. Now it doesn't bother me quite as much now that I've been working for almost 3 years. I was never paired with a mean nurse. Oddly, being observed by a nurse in the hospital was less stressful than being being watched by an instructor...[/quote']
We're twinkles in that respect! I need to think things through myself to really learn how to do them and feel confident. When my instructor watches me, I feel rushed and pressured, and everything I knew just flies out the window. It's tough because I'm super anal retentive and I don't like struggling, but I also know it's temporary. At some point all this stuff I'm learning will be second nature, and I can't wait!