Anyone Get Soooo Nervous During Checkoff

[Butterfly3001]

I get terribly nervous during checkoff. I start to shake and its hard for me to concentrate because of it. Does anyone else have or used to have this problem? What helped you to overcome this? I've tried to notice when I am about to get nervous but usually its too late and I am shaking(my hands) and someone tells me to relax I'm doing fine, all the while I'm feeling totally fine but obviously to others I appear nervous. I just don't know what to do. HELLLLLLLLLLLLP

[jadu1106]

i know exactly how you feel! i was a nervous wreck when i had to do those checkoffs. i never tried this, but someone once suggested maybe if you practice checkoffs with some students in a group or something, maybe have someone videotape you actually practicing the checkoff and then viewing the videotape to see what areas (if any) you may need more practice in.

this is from my nursing school's website (they did not have these videos up when i was in nursing school). so i hope they help you a little.

these are some check off videos from nursing students the school put up to help students.

http://vod.tccd.edu/vod2.asp?page=main&section=&category=&subcategory=rnsg%201105&msn=

best of luck to you!

[michiganmark_rn]

I've just started but I can tell you I definitely get the shaky voice on checkoffs. My checkoff instructor has watched us practicing and knows we know what we're doing, and I've very comfortable trial running the procedures with her watching but when it's "for real" I'm a nervous wreck. I did stop during my last checkoff and said something like "we're going to take a 10 second break now, due to my abnormally high blood pressure and pulse". It broke the icyness and allowed me to refocus on the task at hand.

[missjennmb]

I really did a lot at the beginning, but after doing them a few times, and realizing that, worst case scenario, I just get to do it again the next day, and realizing that she is just a person, I don't get nervous anymore. I did fail a few on first try at first, but more because I was nervous than because I didn't know the proceedure.

Just tell yourself that your instructor is just a person like you, has fears and good days and bad days, just like you. I found that humanizing her really made all the difference for me.

[Jenrose15]

just, remember that when you are working as a nurse for real that you will have to do this, too. breath in and out. be confident. i am sure it will be okay

[Butterfly3001]

Thanks I appreciate everyones advice. I have vital signs checkoff this friday. I know what I'm doing but I just get jittery hands and stuff that I feel like I don't know and forget things. We do though get 2 cues for our instructors if we are doing something wrong. But for vitals signs its gonna be different.

[uscstu4lfe]

Go to your doctor and tell him/her your symptoms and ask for propranolol. It will stop your hands from shaking/your voice trembling. It's a beta blocker, so as long as your BP is OK, you can use it. People use it for shaky hands all of the time. Performers (like violinists, singers, etc) use it for stage fright. You still feel a little nervous, but you don't have any of the physical symptoms.

[Butterfly3001]

Go to your doctor and tell him/her your symptoms and ask for propranolol. It will stop your hands from shaking/your voice trembling. It's a beta blocker, so as long as your BP is OK, you can use it. People use it for shaky hands all of the time. Performers (like violinists, singers, etc) use it for stage fright. You still feel a little nervous, but you don't have any of the physical symptoms.

Wow!!! I never knew that they had a med for that. I guess they have medication for everything. Thanks

[gabass]

I get nervous, but I think I am pretty good at masking it. Our checkoffs are done with our 3 regular instructors, and while they are very professional, they are also very real and down to earth! This is my first semester and I am loving it!!!!