controlling nerves during lab check-offs

[wooten3955]

I start my first semester of nursing school in January. I have completed all of my science courses, and just have the actually nursing classes to complete. I am pretty confident in my ability to do well in clinicals and on the academic portion of the class, but am scared to death of lab check-offs. I have taken 2 prior courses where I was required to do them, and have always done well, but I can't get past my fear that I will flub things now that I am in actual nursing school and get kicked out of the program. I tend to get pretty nervous (trembling hands, feeling dizzy, racing heart, etc.), esp. if it's a major one that counts for a large part of our grade.

Does anyone have tips for controlling nerves? I know the #1 thing is to prepare, prepare, prepare, and I do, but I think my nerves go beyond what is normal. I have even thought about asking my doctor for a beta blocker to take on check-off days, but am afraid she will think I am crazy or a drug seeker. Any advice you can give would be much appreciated.

[direw0lf, BSN]

I showed my lab teachers from the beginning that I was prepared and could answer questions so even when I was nervous during check-offs, they knew I knew. They did not coddle me but they were kind of gentle and told me how I could overcome shaky hands or making a mistake when I'm checked off. For myself it was needing more confidence. So I think if you show your teachers that you do come prepared before the actual check offs, then they'll help you instead of think of you like someone who just didn't do their reading.

So basically go to lab each day with questions that show you did your reading and answer ones they ask, and bring up your nervousness in a way that is asking for advice.

I even videoed myself once with my "patient" (aka friend) to see how I really looked. I think watching myself helped me learn how to act and not show nervous body language, and just the more you do it, the more you really will feel less nervous not just act it.

Good article: For The Anxious Nurse – Nurse Eye Roll

Oh also I don't think your dr would think "you're crazy" for feeling this way in school and if she does that's a pretty bad dr.

[wooten3955]

Thank you for your input and the link to the article. It helps to know I am not the only person who experiences strong anxiety. I think it will help me to let my instructors know ahead of time that this is an issue for me because part of the problem is feeling anxious that the instructors will notice my anxiety! It creates a vicious cycle.

[LJR89]

One thing I wish I would have done after my first semester is not only practicing until I had it down perfect. But also thinking through what I should do if I do goof something up. That way I wouldn't go into panic mode and get even more nervous if I caught myself making a mistake :)

[NurseGirl525, ASN, RN]

Your instructors know you are nervous. Make sure you don't miss your critical indicators. Those are the things you can't fail. I practiced, practiced, practiced, even on my own child.

[pmabraham, BSN, RN]

1. Practice with one to several students who have no problem telling others what mistakes they make.

2. Practice often.

3. Consider writing a script (similar to what you might write if you were to give a speech) noting all critical steps and their order.

4. Read the script out loud at least once per day to the day of the test off.

5. As you practice often (#2), consider practicing with/on family members and friends

[guest798886]

Like the previous comment, Prof's KNOW when your nervous. I just completed my 1st semester as well and when I had checkoffs in Health assessment, I was crazy nervous! My professor asked me why I was so nervous especially when I have her for lecture and come to her office hrs and don't seem like a shy person. She told me to do breathing techniques and if I wanted to come to open lab hrs and practice the checkoffs in front of her and practice with classmates or your friends that aren't in the nursing program. That way I get used to her watching me, practice over and over again, and I slowly got over the fear of possibly failing. And I passed Health assessment :)

Hope that helps

[wooten3955]

Thanks, everyone, for all of the awesome tips. I will be sure to incorporate all of those things when preparing for skills check-offs. I am hoping that once I have a few under my belt, my anxiety will wane a little bit. Thanks again!!

[Xlorgguss]

As mentioned above definitely practice with peers that aren't afraid to tell you when you do something wrong. My clinical group was great for this and it definitely helped especially when working in a sterile field. Also I would write down my procedure step by step. I would also explain why I am doing something. When it comes to skills like physical assessment decide early on the order that you will go in and try to stick to that. Also my program is pretty transparent about what they are looking for during skill check offs

[kkbb, MSN, RN]

I have a slight tremble naturally, but it absolutely gets worse when I get nervous. I try not to think about my hands, but put my focus on the "patient." The second I notice my hands are shaking then it gets worse because my focus has shifted to it and then I get more nervous and shaking increases. This used to happen all the time when I was first doing blood draws on actual patients. Stop, take a deep breath, shake out your hands before you start and focus on the actual assessment and not your hands.

Side note: the other MA I worked with also had her hands shake a lot. We switched to half-caf coffee and neither one of us had an issue again. So maybe go easy on caffein on check off days.