can i really do this? sorry, long

[stewiegriffin]

just found this site and am needing advice. i'm in my first semester of adn program, half way through clinicals. my grades are great. i always do well on tests. the material just seems to make sense to me and it sticks. i've always passed my lab check-offs, although, sometimes it takes me 2 tries to get it all right. first few weeks of clinical were great. i love working with patients and no smells, sights, or sounds bother me in the least. at my evaluation, my instructor said i was one of her best and she'd love to have me take care of her family some day.

my next rotation has not been so good. i know my procedures like the back of my hand. i write all steps in my own words and go over and over them until i've memorized them. i watch the dvd's and practice with my kit supplies at home. i have a koala bear stuffed animal that has had many procedures performed on him! but, when i get into the patient's room with my instructor watching, i practically panic. i get all nervous and shaky, and forget things or just go blank. this has been a hallmark of my personality since i was a little kid. in fact, i have a perscription to help me not to get wound-around-the-axle so easily.

my new instructor was upset with me because i asked questions in front of my patient and that showed them i was nervous and unsure of myself and i spoke to myself while i worked. however, they are informed that they have a student working with them, right? i guess i'm supposed to ask questions before entering the room, but i don't have questions until i'm in the middle of it.

after the 1st time or 2 of doing a particular task, i feel much more confidant and less scared and it goes much smoother. i'm just afraid i won't get the chance to improve. our rotations are short. this one's almost done and i'm afraid i'll fail due to my nervous demeanor.

maybe i'm just not nurse material? if i don't have what it takes, i don't want to be kept in suspense, waiting for the bomb to drop.

[Acosmo27]

when i was getting dressed down in the hallway i explained that i was very nervous. i was told that no excuses would be accepted and this wasn't a line of work where i could be nervous. i was told if i couldn't handle it, i shouldn't be there.

this is what worries me. i'm a late bloomer but i always end up successful. i was very intimidated by my first out-of-lab attempt with this procedure. the next attempt was better and future attempts will probably be just fine. i just didn't get the feeling that it would be an option.

oh my gosh. no no no. dont let this instructor get to you.... everyone is nervous when they first start out, you would have to be crazy not to be!! i cant believe she would tell you that, your new!! my instructor this semester was so supportive and totally understanding that we are here to learn so one day we dont have to be nervous! my only advice to you though... even though we all are nervous on the inside, do you best to make it look like you are confident. especially in front of the pts. but dont give up, you will get less nervous with more experience! good luck!

[Dolce, RN]

It is absolutely normal to be nervous around patients when you are a nursing student. Nursing school is designed to be as educational as possible. My first female foley insertion was traumatic--my instructor, the patient and several classmates all observed me contaminate my sterile foley and then have trouble placing it when I finally was sterile again. It is normal to be shaky and nervous. Nothing but time and experience will calm your nerves.

[tachybradyRN]

Stewie, I felt the same way for awhile. I've always been good with the textbook material (I have one of the highest lecture grades in the class) but when it comes to being watched for skills, I get nervous. I used to get a lot more nervous than I do now, but what I do differently today is take a few deep breaths and think to myself, "I am confident. I know how to do this skill. I will accomplish this successfully." My lecture professor leads us through a five minute deep breathing-relaxation-positive thinking session before we take our tests, and it's helped immeasurably, so I implemented it in the clinical area. Just remember that your teacher is only human, too, she's made mistakes before, and if you need help, don't be afraid to ask for it.

You can do this! :heartbeat