Clinicals

[bluemountain]

I have never worked at hospitals. So just clinicals are not quite enough for me to learn and do things. Sometimes I am not sure if I am doing right.

How do I get my clinical skills and feel comfortable about what I am doing? I've studying a lot, but when it comes to the situation, it is hard to put everything together and use "critical thinking". Am I that only one who feel this way? Last couple weeks I had an opportunity to be at ER. At ER everything goes so fast and there is no time to think what to do next. I was too overwhelmed and there are a patient after another patients..... I felt like I was a dumb...and stupid.....

I was told by nurses that once I start working as a (real) Nurse, that's when I actually start learning. They told me it would take at least 6 months for new nurses to get comfortable. So maybe everyone feels the same then.

[MsApricot]

You are not dumb or stupid, you're learning :) Same as myself. Give yourself a chance, it takes time.

[elkpark]

I have never worked at hospitals. So just clinicals are not quite enough for me to learn and do things. Sometimes I am not sure if I am doing right.

Many generations of nursing students have never worked in hospitals before entering a nursing program, and the clinicals in school were/are enough for them to learn. I know that it doesn't feel like you're getting "enough" education/practice and you don't feel confident about your knowledge, skills, or judgment, but that's pretty much how every nursing student feels -- it's just part of the nursing school experience. You're learning more than you realize.

Hang in there, and best wishes for your journey! :balloons:

[bluemountain]

Thank you for the comments. I feel better now. Some people don't show their anxiety or nervousness even though they are not sure about what they are doing, I guess.

[elkpark]

Thank you for the comments. I feel better now. Some people don't show their anxiety or nervousness even though they are not sure about what they are doing, I guess.

As someone who has taught in ADN and BSN programs, it's the students who are v. confident that they know everything they need to know and know how to do everything that really scare me ... They are often the ones who make really scary mistakes. There's nothing at all wrong with being aware of your limitations at this point in your education. :)

[Seas]

Wait until you graduate.

I am graduating next week and still feel like you. I know most new grads feel this way. It is not abnormal. There is way too much to learn and nursing school isn't enough for all these.

[bluemountain]

elkpark, you sound right. I remember one of my teachers told us that one who makes a dangerous mistake is usually a person with so much confidence because they tend to be careless. New people are paying more attention what they do because they are very cautious.

Seas, Congratulations!!!! WOW I am excited for you !!

[ImThatGuy, BSN, RN]

Clinicals aren't really enough to learn anything. In fact, I think they'd be better served (in the way they're currently done) as mere observational periods watching other people do work. I only get nine days per nursing course. Woopty doo. They're also a week apart. With those time constraints you end up learning more about the paperwork and supply/storage elements of the facility you're stationed at. Patient care takes a very substantial backseat to the rest of it.