Clinical instructor feels I'm not competent?

[Holopugs]

So I have always had anxiety. It's followed me my whole life, including ADD and I feel it's possible for some sort of slight autism... long story short I am in my second year of nursing school, currently in med-surg. I get slightly anxious when passing meds specifically heparin injections, mostly because my clinical instructor can be so intimidating. I didn't think I was doing so bad until my instructor pulled me aside today and told me how horrible I'm doing and how she will not be giving me the opportunity to visit the OR like she is allowing my other classmates to do this clinical. She told me she doesn't trust me because I have no confidence. I am very concerned that this issue will follow me throughout my career and that I'll either be a horrible nurse or be terminated for making mistakes and being so nervous all the time. Am I alone in this, is there anyone else who has made mistakes and felt this way or am I just really stupid.... 😔 Please no harsh comments I'm feeling low enough, hoping it's not just me.

[aflahe00]

u can definitely relate when you talk about your anxiety and having no confidence. I had the same problem during my synthesis clinical which was the final clinical I took before I graduated. I was terrified of my instructor she was so intimidating! she could sense my lack of self confidence that's for sure. one day during clinical me and 2 other students were shawdowing a nurse on the telemetry unit. The desk phone

Rings and it's my instructor summoning me to the icu. I get there and she quickly tells me I'm going to insert a foley in a female and she says this right in front of the patient. I stupidly said "I've never done this before " which she snapped back at me that I should never say that in front of a patient. I don't think I got it in on the first try but eventually I got it in. After wards in group she asked me how I thought I did to which I replied "terrible ". She seemed shocked by my answer.

Looking back she made me realize that the only thing standing in my way is me.

[jeddicarn2b, BSN]

I also went through the same thing last semester. My advice to you (how I got through the semester) is tell yourself you got it! Go through each clinical morning on the way there and say I'm going to do great, I'm going to be a great nurse it is just one persons interpretation of me. Know all your drugs, and what they do. Be great with your patients. Study hard. Know exactly what questions she is going to ask before she even asks them from you so you can be right on top of it. (labs, contraindications, what it does), go to the skills lab and practice how to pass medications again or watch videos if you need to! You will get through it. My clinical instructor made me feel so stupid in front of my classmates, my patient, and nurses. I hated going to clinical, I did not want to go anymore at all. We talked about it and I thought she was going to fail me! She told me I was being to rude about it when I was just trying to explain to her how I felt, but once I did she completely changed how she acted toward each of us. Maybe you want to try that. I CAN say after that semester, even though it was awful I now have an amazing clinical instructor who lets us asks questions, is not confrontational, and trusts us. Just put on your happy face and do great.

[Jen13]

Hi! I get really anxious about doing almost anything in clinical, but especially meds and IVs. I also have ADD, and I'm constantly nervous that I'm missing an important detail. I think practicing the skills as much as possible in the lab and at home first in a relaxed, fun but also focused way can help. I also think watching realnurses do it in a clinical setting at least a couple times also helps me to feel less like I'm taking a practical test I'm going to fail and more like I'm learning a new job skill. Having a clinical instructor who is harsh and yells at you can definitely make it worse. I get why they act like that, it is a big responsibility, but that just means that most of us students are already intrinsically motivated to learn and anxious about making mistakes. The better option is to be present, supportive and to provide clear expectations. Of course, you can't always choose your instructor but hopefully you'll get a better one at some point. Until then it might be a good idea to pair off with a classmate and play off of each others strengths and weaknesses.

Last advice, fear and anxiety go away with exposure. So even though you might want to avoid administering meds because you feel like you're bad at it or you're going to be criticized. The more you can push through that tendency and seek out experiences administering meds (with help if you don't feel comfortable) the less scary and more natural it will become. (This trick also works for non nursing things like fear of heights or spiders or social anxiety).

In the meantime, make sure you're making an effort to be nice to yourself. Make hot tea and tell yourself how awesome you are, all the things you've already accomplished that you didn't know you could, and how you're just getting more and more awesome over time.

Good luck!!

Another basket case soon to be boss student

[Workitinurfava, BSN, RN]

Listen to your instructor but don't take what she says personal. She is trying to keep you from killing someone.

[gM_2010, MSN, PhD, RN, NP]

I am sorry you are having difficulties. I would suggest that you:

1. Ask for a conference with your clinical faculty and the course lead/director. You deserve an interim performance feedback and a plan for improvement.

2. The previous posters have offered excellent advice about seeking medical evaluation for anxiety.

3. Read your undergraduate/student handbook carefully for policies & procedures about handling clinical performance problems. Make sure your faculty are following their own rules. Every program has a handbook but no one ever pulls it out until a problem comes up.

4. Consider meeting with a counselor/advisor from the student disabilities unit in your school. If there is any possibility of anxiety/ADD/ADHD-you may benefit from extra time or other modalities to help you succeed. Every school typically has such an area and you typically need an evaluation/screening by their counselors.

Good luck!