I'm a newby to the medical field and I wanted to know how I can ensure that I study the skills effectively.
I'm not having much of a problem with the book portion, but the skills part is just a little scary because I've never done hands on care. I'm not put off by bodily fluids or anything. I'm more afraid of hurting someone or just not doing the skill correctly.
I'm glad you're getting the answers you're getting here. A LOT of us started nursing school without any prior medical knowledge, me included. (I don't count reading books and having family members as 'background.')
That's why you start pretty much from square one in nursing school. Some of my fellow students had prior experience as CNAs, or lab techs, or what-have-you, and I remember feeling SO inept in comparison to them. I was all thumbs and clumsiness, where they had no problem changing sheets and bathing (or whatever it was we were doing).
But - huge but - those are tasks. What you learn in nursing school is (or should be) so much more than tasks, though they are important too. You are also learning how to prioritize, learning the why of things. And that is an acquired skill just as all the others.
I have never once met a new grad (myself included here) that was not scared as hell once they were on their own as a nurse! Chin up, you will do fine if that is your biggest obstacle! :)
Can you watch skills videos in your skills lab or check them out to watch on your own time? Perhaps you could look on-line for skills videos. While certainly not as good as getting to work with real people, some videos can provide at least some greater degree of exposure to patient contact, especially if they demonstrate realistic patient scenarios (as opposed to demonstrating on a dummy or a perky young nursing student).
If you've started clinicals already, volunteer to assist others. The more patients you work with, the more you'll learn. And if you work with folks who already have some skills, you can learn a lot by observing how they do things.
If you're not drowning in school work yet, you could still consider volunteering just to get more time to observe, since as a student you may be too busy with & focused on your own patients to really be able to take a step back and see how the nurses are doing their jobs.
Specializes in LTC, home health, addiction, hospice.
I didn't have a medical background at all. I had only been in the hospital to have jaw surgery at 16 and again once my son was born. But I did very well in clinicals and enjoyed it very much. Once I got over the initial fear of having to deal directly with a "real person", I gained confidence in myself and I did fine. It's just like anything else that's new. Have faith in yourself and stay confident.
I'd never been in a hospital before nursing school except when I was born (and a few short visits to noncritical family members). I had no clue what a colostomy was...and that was just the beginning of 'weird' stuff I'd never heard of. Clinicals were no fun for me (or most anyone I knew), but I got through...somehow! It can be done!
I'm a newby to the medical field and i wanted to know how i can ensure that i study the skills effectively.
I'm not having much of a problem with the book portion, but the skills part is just a little scary because i've never done hands on care. I'm not put off by bodily fluids or anything. I'm more afraid of hurting someone or just not doing the skill correctly.
Any suggestions anyone?
Thx in advance for your help!:redpinkhe
just be yourself and you'll be fine. Don't forget to ask questions if you don't know. Don't pretend that you knew it. Ask and ask...goodluck!
Lunah, MSN, RN
14 Articles; 13,773 Posts
Everyone starts somewhere! Even those "experienced" people lacked it at one time.