Clinical Jitters?

Cfitz · Jan 16, 2007

Hey Guys! I find as I get nearer to clinicals, the more jittery I get.(ok...maybe a little nervous-aka scared). Did anyone else feel this way, and how did you handle it? Thanks!

I'm in 2nd semester of my first year, and we just started our 2nd clinical rotation (I was in Intermediate before in another hosp, now Surgical in a new one). It is a HUGE responsibility! I thought I just really hated clinical, but I realized that I was just really afraid, intimidated, worried about doing something wrong or looking like a fool. I finally started doing something in the morning before clinical, usually in the shower or while getting ready. I consecrate my clinical day to Jesus, and open myself up to His guidance. Clinical isn't a piece of cake now, but it's always doable and I'm learning a lot, and feeling a lot better about all of it. I can always look back on my day and see where He was working - putting people in my path that were helpful and kind, etc. It has made all the difference in the world to me. We're being called, and He's not going to make it so we can't be successful.

We've got dues to pay as Nursing students, there's no doubt about it. But it doesn't have to be horribly stressful and impossible. We can do it! We will one day be nurses and we can recall back to the days when we were unsure and frightened, and we can be the nurses that step in and offer kindness and help to the students who will likely be feeling just as frightened or more frightened than we ever did!

Kiringat · Jan 16, 2007

We start OB clinicals on Tuesday and I am scared to death. I know our class will be really active on the Labor Deck and it terrifies me for some reason. Something about labor and giving birth and neonates.... Yikes! :sofahider I just keep wondering how the guys in the class feel and hoping they're more nervous than I am. Even if its kinda mean...

Cfitz · Jan 16, 2007

We start OB clinicals on Tuesday and I am scared to death. I know our class will be really active on the Labor Deck and it terrifies me for some reason. Something about labor and giving birth and neonates.... Yikes! :sofahider I just keep wondering how the guys in the class feel and hoping they're more nervous than I am. Even if its kinda mean...

I'm so jealous! I'm really looking forward to my OB/Peds rotation next year! I've had 4 sons and the labor/childbirth/neonate process fascinates me to no end. I hope it goes well for ya!

manofbess · Jan 18, 2007

I was pretty anxious leading up to today, which was my very first clinical day. I'm a first year, first semester nursing student and I know jack squat. But I, along with my group, made it through.

I just made sure to get a good night of sleep, asked questions, tried to put names to faces so I won't feel uncomfortable about asking more questions in the future, and I smiled a lot--not only at my pt, but also my group members, my CI (who I absolutely love at this point), and the RNs, PTs, MDs, CNAs, anyone and everyone who walked by. And while I'm not nearly as spiritual/religious as I was raised to be, I have learned to pray like crazy...I think God has gotten tired of me over the past few days, LOL...but the day went by smoothly and quickly. I know today was probably the easiest day of any clinical day ever, but I'm here to learn and I'm fine with looking like a dummy for a while. Best of luck to the OP and everyone else!