I am diagnosed with generalized anxiety. I take meds for it, but sometimes, especially when I am new to something my hands shake. I am concerned with this because I know that there will come a time when I have to take blood or do an IV. I'm okay after a bit, but I'm not sure how long it'll take. Any tips? Support? Feedback?
allnurses Guide Nurse SMS, MSN, RN 2 Articles; 6,840 Posts Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development. Has 12 years experience. Dec 13, 2017 Watch the other students around you and you will see their hands are shaking too. Pretty much everyone has that happening when they are new. Don't get anxious about potentially being anxious. :)
verene, MSN 1,790 Posts Specializes in mental health / psychiatic nursing. Dec 13, 2017 The more exposure you get the less nervous you'll be and the hands on skills will be much easier. Everyone is a little shaky and fumbles while learning, and some of us will never be great with placing IVs or drawing blood. Not all areas of nursing require strong IV skills and it may be you end up in one of those areas, it could also be that with some practice and support you turn into an IV placing whiz. As a student you are expected to be taking your time and doing the skills slowly and well. So take advantage of this time to go slow, get comfortable with the skills and seek feedback from instructors and preceptors.
al3x117, RN, EMT-B 138 Posts Specializes in Medical/Surgical/Telemetry RN. Has 4 years experience. Dec 20, 2017 Practice practice practice my friend. You will get better over time. The first time I did an IV I was sweating bullets not to blow the vein. You can do it. Just keep practicing and working on being confident in your abilities as a student nurse! Good luck to you. Wish you all the best.
Serhilda, ADN, RN 290 Posts Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ICU. Dec 20, 2017 Same here my friend, a few of my classmates were also very nervous performing skills, especially in front of instructors. I went to more of our open labs to practice skills to help build my confidence and lessen my anxiety. I feel like that helped a lot because I'm hardly any more nervous than the average student now.
HIPAAPotamus, BSN, RN 67 Posts Specializes in Inpatient Psychiatry. Has 5 years experience. Dec 20, 2017 I give off a perception of confidence and complete assurance in what I'm doing, but the first time I spiked a bag, my hands were shaking. The first time I gave lovenox, I had sweaty palms.Sometimes "fake it 'til you make it" is the best advice.
