Clinicals

Nursing Students General Students

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I am just starting my second semester of a Bachelor nursing program and am finding myself a little apprehensive about clinical. My last semester of clinical was super easy. Just care of the elderly, things like personal care and vitals and such. We also worked in partners. I did well, got an A in clinical and loved my patients. This semester I will be on the medical surgical rotation. Our first day starts soon and from what i understand we are to just show up and get to work. I feel like I don't know anything and am really nervous and intimidated by the idea of coming and being completely on my own. I know the best way to get into this is to just dive in and do it but i don't know how to get rid of the jitters. I have never worked in a hospital setting, so for me this is the first time being in a hospital and not being a visitor or patient myself. I wish i didn't feel intimidated, and at times it makes me question whether i am doing the right thing. Has anyone else felt this way and if so how did you get past it. I don't want to give up. I really want to do nursing, and want to be good at it. I want to give people the care and comfort they deserve in their time of need. If anyone has a story, a similar experience, or advice I would greatly appreciate it. I feel alone out here!

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It is normal to have first day of clinical jitters. If you didn't have them, I would say that you're not human. In fact, you will have them every semester...or at least I did. You will have nurses to guide you so you're not entirely on your own. You can be up front and honest with them and just tell them that you're a little nervous. The first day of every clinical rotation, I asked my nurse to show me how she or he does their morning assessment. A good nurse will never let you feel like you're on your own, especially if you're eager to learn, which you can show by asking them if you can shadow them (meaning observe how they care for their other patients that you are not caring for). It's ok to be nervous. Just don't let that be the reason for giving up.

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I felt the exact same way, especially in med/surge. My advice to you is no matter what, never let your patient or other staff see you intimidated or apprehensive. Always walk around and carry yourself demonstrating extreme confidence, even though that might always be the case. However, i advice to you is develop a good careplan, and study the hell out of your careplan the night before, so when you walk into your patients room, you know everything thats going on WHY the pt is like that. Why that value is high or low, whats going on with his/her patho. Good luck!

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My first clinical rotation for med-surg is tomorrow. I am pretty nervous about it so I know how you feel. What I'm worried about is making a huge mistake and hurting someone or even killing them! I couldn't live with myself if I did that.

Overall though, I feel prepared. I'm up to date on my skills from last semester (med. admin., foley cath. wound dressing) and my clinical instructor seems pretty good.

Good luck to all those students in clinicals this semester.

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Thanks for the advice. I am just hoping once i get past that first day i will feel more confident. I am sure once i get going it will be okay. And i probably will be up all night the night before clinical researching stuff for my pt. I am actually getting anxious to get in there and just get to it. Good luck to all you too in your careers and education.

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Medical wards and surgical wards are soo great! Fair enough your nervous, most people do get a little nervous, I know I was! If your not sure about something just ask! I was told by the RNs to ask lots of questions because they expect me have lots of questions and they want me to learn lots, it also shows enthusiasm. All you can do is your best. Once you know where you are going, know where things are and start to get to know your patients and the other staff, you will begin to settle down and feel better and more confident! There is soo much to learn and so much to do :D On medical and surgical wards I got to give injections, see wounds cleaned and bandaged, i got see a renal biopsy!!!! I also got to assist in a catherisation and I got to do lots of patient care and I met some amazing people! :)

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Specializes in Critical Care, Emergency Medicine, Flight.

i was a little skeeved out after being on summer break for 3 months, but once i got back into the swing of it..its like riding a bike...

besides if you feel uncomfortable you could ask your instructor to be there with you if need them to be...

and patients dont bite...not all of em anyways :)

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Specializes in cardiac-telemetry, hospice, ICU.

Lots of good advice here. My 2 cents is be yourself! If you are nervous, greet your patient and introduce yourself, and then........tell them you are a little nervous. Yep, being a little vulnerable will help put you both at ease. Almost all patients I have met respond to honesty, and after all, you aren't going to be doing anything TOO terrible to them. A little conversation about them and you are on your way. Yeah, be prepared before you arrive, but if there is "an elephant in the room" acknowledge it.

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I have never worked in a hospital setting, so for me this is the first time being in a hospital and not being a visitor or patient myself. I wish i didn't feel intimidated, and at times it makes me question whether i am doing the right thing. !

This is exactly how I feel. I am very intimidated about the whole hospital thing..I have no idea how it all operates, I could get lost in the maze of halls, doors and desks...I can imagine myself hiding in a cold drawer in the morgue..if I could find it that is. :chair:

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This is exactly how I feel. I am very intimidated about the whole hospital thing..I have no idea how it all operates, I could get lost in the maze of halls, doors and desks...I can imagine myself hiding in a cold drawer in the morgue..if I could find it that is. :chair:

Ditto to you and the OP. My clinicals start in Oct, so I have a little time. Amazing how you can be so excited and scared at the same time.

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Exactly! I'm like super excited to be getting in there. And i can't wait to see what it holds for me but at the same time i'm scared!!! It's good to know i'm not alone. So much good advice and support here =D I am feeling better already.

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