Bookish, low common sense... will I fit in?

Nursing Students General Students

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I just enrolled in my pre-reqs. I am an intelligent person, very intelligent, if I do say so myself. I'm positive I can learn and apply any of the theory and science of nursing. But I'm not going to lie, I'm clumsy and I make lots of silly mistakes. Some might say I am just not very kinesthetic, but I don't know if I agree (I learned sign language pretty well). But for the most part, when doing things with my hands on my own I perform pretty poorly. I must be shown and walked through how to do anything physical (swinging a tennis racket, assembling machinery, carrying a tray full of plates, etc.)- patiently and sometimes more than once. I'm a klutz. I wait tables right now and when I ask questions about how to do something they act like I'm dumb and then sort of mutter something unhelpful and expect that to be enough for me to know what to do.

I'm afraid this issue will carry over into nursing (inserting IVs, properly carrying a patient, etc.). I'm afraid they will get frustrated with me, neglect to properly train me and send me out on my own, or I just won't be able to keep a job because people will think I'm an idiot (which I am not). And this is very important, because lives will depend on me.

I'm not an idiot- I am capable of doing whatever is needed of me. I just need to be clearly shown anything physical or hands-on first.

So I guess my question is, how supportive are instructors in nursing school? Are my fears likely to come true? Do I belong? It seems like nurses are always practical people. Then again, my dad was a nurse (now a PA) and I inherited a lot of klutziness from him, and one of my good friends became a nurse and she is very head-in-the-clouds.

Quell my worry? Or tell me to get out now?

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Ha! You just described me! I am almost finished with nursing school, have a 4.0 GPA and am a super-klutz! How to prime an IV line? Took me several tries to figure that one out. I have managed to stab myself with a CLEAN 18g needle. Sometimes I feel like I spend half my clinical shift crawling around on the floor trying to pick up stuff I've lost.

That said, it's not neurosurgery. You don't have to have absolutely perfect motor skills. IVs are tough for me. I feel goofy when I am kind of fumbling around, but eventually I get it. The most important thing is to be honest if you are shaky or drop something, etc. There are times I have had to re-wipe an IV port more than once because I was nervous that I had accidentally contaminated it.

Experienced RNs are amazing. I swear they can hold three different PICC ports between their fingers while swabbing and getting everything connected just perfectly without missing a beat. I've been told those kind of mad skills just come with lots of practice.

Go for it! If I can make it- so can you! Good luck.

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Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.

I live to be a klutz. It's just me. I'm also a hands on learner. You can tell me how to do something and I won't remember half of it. If I can have hands on learning, where I can do it, I'm good to go.

Good luck and yes, carry on....

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Specializes in MSP, Informatics.

hmmmm... maybe you should just go on to be a Doctor. :rotfl: Kidding!

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Specializes in Transplant/Surgical ICU.

Should not be a problem. Knowing and admitting your weakness is a first step, now just remember to practice practice practice. I'm clumsy too, so I know what you are saying. Good luck and don't be so hard on yourself, exercise patience

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You, could very easily be me, and I was trying to find a way to ask the same question. I'm starting nursing school in the Fall. I do get it, just with lots and lots of repetition. I'm a 4.0 student-get the academics- but the physical stuff is hard for me. I call myself the "mechanical moron". I'm really hoping the instructors will have a LOT of patience.

Good luck!

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Specializes in Transplant/Surgical ICU.

There will be a skills lab in your school were you can practice basic nursing skills. You will almost never be asked to do something that you have not praticed on a manuquin first. The instructors are generally patient and will go over the steps with you before you even get in the patient's room.

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Specializes in Home Care.

Bahhh....you're not the only one.

I do great academically but give me a manual task and it takes me a few attempts to get it right.

Even now that I'm working there are times that I still ask for assistance or to watch a procedure.

Don't ask me how long it took me to figure out how to change a diaper and the bedding while the patient was in the bed.

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Specializes in MCH,NICU,NNsy,Educ,Village Nursing.

Ah, yes, a student after my own heart.......I trip over a blade of grass...standing still.... You'll do fine. And, really, the instructor is there to help you succeed (even if you read things on AN that say otherwise). Best wishes to you!

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You could totally be describing me. I graduated 3rd in class from high school and first in class from nsg school. I have been an RN for 15 years....fortunately 12 of it in administration. LOL. The first 3 years (when I was a floor nurse) was extremely rough but have loved it ever since :)

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I am just the same way you are!

I was considered very smart throughout school, but get me into "real world" situations and I ask so many questions and have to be walked through everything.

I have tons of respect for people who may not have gotten the top grades but have awesome leadership skills or prioritization skills. They are usually working circles around me, while I am still figuring out how to turn the computer on, etc.

My advice is to be honest when you go for interviews (there's your strength/weakness question) and when it comes time to be paired up with a preceptor. Your managers will appreciate knowing in advance how you learn and what challenges you might have.

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Practicality and down-to-Earth thinking are essential to nursing and healthcare in general...but they can be acquired ;) If you are smart enough to recognize the importance of such traits, then you are smart enough to pick them up.

As for the physical stuff, you'll be very surprised what you can adapt to, and with pretty good speed!!

If it takes you a bit longer to pick it up in the first place, so what? As long as you are diligent in learning, no reasonable person should carry a grudge against you for "taking too long," and as long as you learn what's necessary before poking any real people with any medical instruments, no harm will be done.

EDIT: Can't believe I left this out. (See? Fellow space cadet here...) You should expect constructive criticism, which can SOUND harsh, especially if you're inclined to be sensitive. As long as you're able to learn from it without being emotionally devastated from learning you're not perfect, you'll be fine.

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