Check-off anxiety

[southerngal2108]

Hi all! I'm wrapping up my first semester and I've encountered one major problem: extreme check-off anxiety. We're talking sweating so much I can't get my gloves on, forgetting the answers to questions I know, and over-analyzing every mistake I made (even if I corrected it in time). I have passed all of the check-offs, but I still have this extreme anxiety about them. The funny things is, I was nowhere near as nervous in clinical. I felt more confident and comfortable with actual patients than with check-offs and the instructors staring at me. I feel like they think I'm an idiot because I'm so nervous. One big problem I have is shaking hands, which makes it a little hard to administer an injection. It doesn't help that they all feel the need to comment that my hands are shaking.

Did anyone else have this problem? What the heck can I do? I feel so inadequate and wonder if this will make me a bad nurse? I know I need to relax but don't know how.

[turnforthenurse, MSN, NP]

What about imagining that you are in clinical instead of thinking you doing a check off? Have you spoke to your instructor about your anxiety?

I used to get very anxious during check offs but during clinical I was different, like you. It gets better with time, I think - practice makes perfect! The same goes for injections. I remember learning about injections and getting checked off on them...then as students we were allowed to participate in a local community flu shot clinic. I was sooooo nervous giving my first few injections - my hands were shaking and I could not keep the syringe still as I came to dart it into the patient. After the first few real injections, however, it became like second nature to me. You know the information and know how to properly administer an IM injection. Just take a deep breath and take it slow!

[missnurse01, MSN, RN]

no this does not make you a bad nurse! you are conscientious! That is an awesome thing...it will get better with time and experience. Don't know how much caffeine intake you have but think about that if you are downing a couple of red bulls before class...

[FDW630]

I don't have any advice, but you are not alone! I am the same way. I would rather be in clinicals with a real patient than be interacting with a manikin in front the scrutinizing watch of a lab instructor. Sweaty, shaking and all. We have our CPE relay tomorrow for our lab final, and I am SO stressed out. We pull a card and perform that skill in front of 5 instructors and our entire class. I am sweating already. Hopefully it gets easier as we go along. Good luck!

[hodgieRN]

It because they are watching your every move. I was nervous too. You are waiting for them to scream out "No!!! You are doing it wrong!!" I started sweating the first time I started an IV. As you perform the same thing over and over, your confidence will rise and you'll have nerves of steel!