Clinical Crisis

[magster3200]

Hello everyone! I was just wanting to get some advice on clinicals. During clinicals last year I was always extremely nervous before every clinical. I would wake up and look on the computer for any changes or updates on the patient before heading over to the hospital. I just get so anxious before clinical, because I don't like the uncertainity of what my day might hold.

I don't doubt the fact that I want to be a nurse, it is just nerve-racking not knowing what my day could possibly reveal or how severe my patient could become, or if they will become more critical because of my actions or decisions. I have always known that I don't want to be a general med-surg or ICU nurse. I would like something more stable or consistant such as OB postpartum or working in a doctor's office. It's just that getting through school is the difficult part for me.

When I get to clinical, my experiences are never as bad as I make them out to be. I have IBS, so situations such as before clinical or the night before always freak me out and make my condition worse. I overthink what my day is going to be like, and sometimes I can't sleep well the night before. I am just scared of dissapointing my teachers if I don't pull the right medicine or if I'm not as independent as they would like me to be.

Maybe I need some relaxation techniques or some reassurance. I don't know!

Thanks all!

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

OB/maternity is most definitely not low stress or necessarily stable patients. Postpartum is definitely not consistent as patient census varies on a regular basis. Many urgent issues and complications can happen without a moments notice. Organized chaos was my feeling when doing OB clinical rotations.

Noting is simple all the time. People drop from heart attacks in outpatient settings necessitating CPR and activating EMS.

See if your school has a counseling center where you can learn techniques to control your overwhelming stress and anxiety

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

Your feelings are pretty normal. I'm not going to lie, it takes a while to feel comfortable and confident as a nurse. Most people say they finally hit their stride a year or two after they begin working.