Clinicals; is this what nursing is really like?

spuropathy · Jan 31, 2009

You know what they say; the first one is always the hardest one.

I was in the same position as you 1 1/2 years ago, in a nursing home, with nursing home patients, and feeling that "where has all my 3 months of education gone to?".. all I seemingly learned was how to wash hands, infection control, and I had this one classmate, he's a CNA in the program that showed me what I needed to know and I was helpful for that.

Just a word of advice: Collaborate with your classmates, and teacher. Its very important. Teachers like it when you ask questions, most nurses do as well, and it shows that you are eager to learn.

But to answer your question, when you get to later semesters, that's when real nursing's all about. I'm starting my first preceptorship shift tomorrow and I am excited.

CaliLvr000, BSN, RN · Jan 31, 2009

FLRN, well I don't know from experience about it getting better, but I have been reassured it will not always be this way. I was in your shoes last semester, we started at the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) and it was horribly eye opening. I had never spent a large amount of time in a facility like that (understaffed, over crowded with patients) and when I think about it still it sadens me. :crying2: One day I was on my own as usual, helping my resident use the bathroom. Well they had a PEG tube and due to having a low fiber diet, they were massivley constipated. They had a BM that was stuck, the size of a baseball. I did not know WHAT to do. I could not find my instructor, a fellow nursing student came in and didnt know what to do and she just left me. Luckily the aid came in after she finished giving a shower and instructed me on what to do.....Sorry for such a long post, but thats how it was for us to. Thrown in. Just think when we are done we will be able to choose any aspect of nursing we want to go into. And while you are at the SNF always give the resident an option. They are at the point where they have every decision made for them due to lack of staff. If you are helping to dress them, offer them the choice of two shirts. If you are bathing them, ask them if they want to help and what they want bathed first. We found that those things helped.

bakpakr · Jan 31, 2009

You can come to my facility anytime . I am a CNA and would welcome you with open arms. I would have shown you all you needed to know.

just keep in mind it does get easier as you go and gain more confidence. Keep at it.

Oh and by the way; :mnnnrsngrk:

bamagt · Jan 31, 2009

You are in school right? Of course you are! You're in school to learn, so you aren't going to know everything.

There will be times as a nurse when you won't know what you're doing but that probably won't happen too often

collegemom1961 · Jan 31, 2009

Hello FLRNtobe,

I just graduated from nursing school in December. The clinical experience at a SNF is unlike the acute hospital setting; however, no matter what setting you're in, I think the key to getting the most out of the clinical experience is to humbly accept that you do not know, nor are you expected to know, all the answers. Ask questions, tell the staff what you can do and what you want to do. I used the line "We studied this in lecture, but I haven't seen it in practice. Will you show me how to _________?" Do not wait for the opportunities to come to you. You have to find them yourself. You will earn the respect of your fellow students, your instructors and the staff RNs...and you will be a better nurse for it. I also found that it helped in my understanding of theory material if I had seen something in clinical. Good luck.

Becky8 · Jan 31, 2009

Our school changed it's policy last year and required us to have LNA licenses before we could be accepted into nursing school. I worked as an LNA for 6 months before school started and found the experience to be very helpful in my nusing home clinical. My fellow students that had gotten their license but had not worked as an lna felt as you did and were very discouraged. It all comes with time. Be patient with yourself. I know that is easier said than done. But hang in there.....and good luck!