Checkoffs

Truly_Blessed · Nov 10, 2004

Our instructors are always saying that it's all about communication w/the other person helping you w/the transfer. One should be talking yourselves through it. *shrugs shoulders* That's all I got:)

lisamc1RN, LPN · Nov 10, 2004

I know how nerveracking it is. I make myself breathe slowly and take things at a very slow pace. I talk to myself outloud before I make any moves. I asked one of the instructors if she minded if I do it this way and she said to do whatever it takes to make it through it. She flunked 6 of the 8 students that she viewed for competencies (check offs), so I guess I did ok since I passed. :) Perhaps taking things slowly like that can help you?

akcarmean, LPN · Nov 10, 2004

I remember those days. Just take it slow and practice with your other classmates. Communication is very important. Make sure you tell the pt. what your are doing and which way your are going that way they will be able to help to the best of their ability instead of resisting any movement b/c they are unsure of what is going on. Good Luck.

Angelia

lehua · Nov 10, 2004

if you make a mistake make sure you say how you would do the task properly and ask to redo it. usually you wont have to repeat it. practice with the person who will be your pt at check off. you will both be more comfortable with each other and you can develop little cues to help each other remember tasks if one of your forgets. wear a bandaid on your wrist to remind you to check pt id band when you enter the room.

Nurse Bethie · Nov 10, 2004

I agree with the advice you are getting. It is most important part of a transfer is communication and eye contact. Ensure that you give simple instructions, one step at a time and wait for ackowledgement of the instructions before proceeding. I find that the students I give the highest marks to (I am a clinical skills instructor at a nursing college) are the students who demonstrate honesty (admitting when they make an error) and compassionate (asking the client if they are ok at each step of the transfer and confirm understanding of the instructions). This is all new to you....so as you continue with you nursing education things will seems more familiar. Remember to keep practicing those most basic skills throughtout your education...there is nothing more important than the hands on interection with your client.

Keep your chin up...we all stumble before we run.....you will be great becuase you are looking to be better....

Good luck! :)

manna, BSN, RN · Nov 11, 2004

I get unbelievably nervous at every single check-off. I had a nervous breakdown during IV check-offs last week... but managed to shake it off and passed on my retry today.

I find that when we're paired up during check-offs I get much more nervous. I don't know why that doing a new skill in front of another student makes me so much more anxious than doing it only in front of my instructor.

I'll echo the idea that if you make a mistake, correct yourself verbally. I've done this on more than one occasion during different check-offs. Our instructors will usually note on our pass/fail sheets that we correct ourselves - such as, "broke sterile field x1 but corrected self."

DeanG · Nov 11, 2004

Hey don't be so hard on yourself. You'll be fine. A lot of students in my class say they are so uncomfortable when we have to do skills on eachother. We are all first year students so we don't know eachother yet. I get a bit flustered too. I had to do a bp check on the girl who sits next to me and I was shaking, that was my first skills/ lab. Now ( 12 weeks later), I lean on her when I am tired and ask her why the school doesn't have a vending machine with coffee. When you get used to your classmates, things will get better. Hang in there, and good luck with your studies.