clinicals

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Just a general question. In clinicals do you get to go to lunch on your own or do you have to stay at lunch with your instructors? We aren't allowed to even step outside for anything. We have to stay with our instructors even during our lunch hour. Starting to feel really hemmed in and ultra controlled. Just wondering how other places handle this.

Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
Sorry, the conversations went on so long there's no way to remember everything. I believe that I also said they were overwhelming because I was worried about making a mistake, not because there was 1 patient.

It's one thing to be a little stressed that you might make a mistake but to be completely overwhelmed is another. I never worked in the healthcare field before but I was never overwhelmed.

If you are so overwhelmed in clinicals & scared that you might make a mistake, you will.

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Specializes in Pschiatry.
It's one thing to be a little stressed that you might make a mistake but to be completely overwhelmed is another. I never worked in the healthcare field before but I was never overwhelmed.

If you are so overwhelmed in clinicals & scared that you might make a mistake, you will.

To understand the stress you would have to know all the small details about the school/program I am in and the CI. I'm sure all programs are not the same.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
To understand the stress you would have to know all the small details about the school/program I am in and the CI. I'm sure all programs are not the same.

We have all been in nursing school, albeit not yours, but had to deal with clinicals & CIs. There are different stresses to each program. But if you really want to be a nurse you can't let it get to you because there will be more stressful things out in the working world of nursing when you have patient's lives in your hands.

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Specializes in Pschiatry.
We have all been in nursing school, albeit not yours, but had to deal with clinicals & CIs. There are different stresses to each program. But if you really want to be a nurse you can't let it get to you because there will be more stressful things out in the working world of nursing when you have patient's lives in your hands.

I already decided that yesterday. I spent 2 days in tears and then aced a MedSurg test last night, and decided "I will do this"!

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

I already decided that yesterday. I spent 2 days in tears and then aced a MedSurg test last night, and decided "I will do this"!

Then don't let the fact that you can't leave for lunch during clinicals or while working bother you. If this is something you *really* want to do, then trust me lunch won't be an issue. You'll be done with school soon & when you're working you'll be so busy you won't have time for lunch.

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Specializes in critical care.
I am in a very accelerated nursing program, that in itself is stressful. I don't remember saying anything about it being "tough" or "overwhelming". I am the type of person that needs a little bit of alone time once in a while. And yes, I am worried about the lack of work available. I'm worried about the fact that when they shove me out there on graduation day I won't be prepared because I haven't had enough experience in clinicals. I like to feel as though I know what I'm doing (at least a little bit).

YOU said you were overwhelmed. Remember I asked you for clarification?

This whole thing is making so little sense to me. I get wanting time to decompress, but really, what's a half hour of your life?

You're going to have people in your "intellectual and psyche" space for 12-14 hours 3 days a week soon enough, and no, there won't be mental health breaks sometimes. Take this opportunity to "train" yourself for this.

Reading all you've said has made me consider a few things. I am outwardly an extrovert but quite honestly, I'm an introvert and face to face feel awkward if there isn't a specific, understood purpose or goal for that interaction. I expend a massive amount of energy and effort simply talking to people. So much so that at times, I feel utterly exhausted by it.

So, I kind of get the need for decompression time. Unfortunately, it isn't likely to be possible. Try as much as you can to gain something positive from this. I always liked instructor time to help me start thinking through care planning. Ask what the priority diagnosis is in her opinion. If it's different than what you would pick, share your rationale and ask her thoughts. You don't have to agree with her. In fact, thinking independently and backing up your perspective well will help you.

Anyway, I hope you're able to work through this.

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Specializes in Pschiatry.
I mean... In all honesty I thought you were in your very early 20's as well. I was surprised to see that you were in your 50's. Still not quite sure if I believe it.

I thought long and hard about the age issue before I started nursing school. It's a sensitive subject with me. I have made a lot of friends in my class and clinical group. That being said, all but 1 are in their early 20's. I'm a firm believer that being around younger people helps to keep you young, however, we are from different generations with a very different set of values. It gets annoying (and embarrassing they have no filters) being around people who are 30 years younger than me. One of the reasons I need to decompress.

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Specializes in Pschiatry.
I know this is a really tiny and insignificant thing to feel annoyed by, but OP, you are a student. The patient is the ultimate responsibility of the nurse, not you. You can't be accused of abandonment.

Um, I'm not the one who brought up abandonment.

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Specializes in critical care.
Um, I'm not the one who brought up abandonment.

I'm not going back through all 165 posts to find it. You said you were being accused of abandonment, and that's what I was responding to.

Starting a sentence with the word "um" is reminding me of a sarcastic teenager trying to act like the person they're talking to is an idiot. It's also a very odd way of starting a sentence in written communication. This is supposed to be a professional message board. Style of writing matters.

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Starting a sentence with the word "um" is reminding me of a sarcastic teenager trying to act like the person they're talking to is an idiot. It's also a very odd way of starting a sentence in written communication. This is supposed to be a professional message board. Style of writing matters.

This and the rest of it .... now you've really got me wondering if the OP is, in fact, in her fifties. Too much immaturity on offer.

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Really? You pulled the age card?

Yes, I did. I was certain from your post that you were young- and immature for your age at that. Young people don't have the life experience that usually gives one better perspective. I have two young adult daughters, and they are fantastic, so that fact is not a criticism. It is expected at their age.

But not from someone OUR age.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
Yes, I did. I was certain from your post that you were young- and immature for your age at that. Young people don't have the life experience that usually gives one better perspective. I have two young adult daughters, and they are fantastic, so that fact is not a criticism. It is expected at their age.

But not from someone OUR age.

When someone mentioned she was in her 50s I was surprised. From the tone of her posts I was sure she was in her 20s. I am still shocked she is in her 50s.

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