My first concern is nursing in itself. I am in my last semester of nursing and even though I have gotten this far I feel like I want to quit. I am passing my classes, yet I still feel like a failure. I guess my self-confidence is not in tip top shape because I feel incompetent in the clinical field. Last semester my anxiety hit an all-time high. Every week before clinical began, my fear and anxiety rose and I couldn't handle it the night before. I have been reading the board and the stories of hectic days, mean co-workers and other stories that have added fear abit. Other than that..I seem fine. I look back and realize that I haven't started an IV (except in the skills lab) or started a Foley. I kick myself for that. I'm in a hole...and not ready to come out..
Bedside Care
As I was thinking over the summer, I was trying to figure out which area I wanted to work in. After some thought, I felt like I didn't want to do bedside care. Then I felt odd because I thought like that because I had seen RN and bedside care go hand in hand. Am I odd to think this? :stone
Any advice or tips or anything that anyone would like to share? Any responses are appreciated
Good Luck to you OP. I do agree that this may be just a case of "cold feet" setting in, since you are entering Block 4! Keep on pushin' on!!! You will be OK!!!
I just finished my nursing program in July and am waiting for authorization to take my RN Boards. I graduated at the top of a class of nearly 100 and felt so confident during my second year (2 year ADN program). Now that I've been finished for awhile I feel so removed from the nursing field. I have nearly had panic attacks thinking of all the things that could go wrong when I start work. Every job I consider gives me a new scenario in my head in which I screw up somehow. I think it is because during school I felt very sheltered and had the security of an instructor nearby and the excuse of being a student anytime I didn't know something. I feel like as a real RN people aren't going to be as forgiving when I'm clueless and I am afraid I'll be judged as incompetent or stupid if I don't have it all figured out. I can't tell you that nursing is right for you, but don't let these types of fears hold you back. It is normal to be overwhelmed in a field as complex and diverse as nursing. There is no way to ever know it all or be totally prepared. I know that I have to overcome my anxiety and push on because I'm certain God created me for this purpose. I was 28 years old with two kids before I started nursing school, and once I was doing nursing care, I realized this is exactly why I'm here and why so many things happened to get me on this path. I felt fulfilled and like all of my strengths were being used to benefit others as well as giving me a sense of purpose. I really excelled at this and it was clear it was what I was made to do. That said, it still scares the crap out of me but I had someone tell me that is how you know you are ready. They said that when you have that healthy degree of anxiety and fear, you are demonstrating the awareness of the responsibility you have and you are taking it very seriously. My preceptor said "When somone is not scared and is not asking me questions that is when I get worried (too cocky.)" By the way, I have done a few foleys and a few IV's but I'm not any where near competent on the IVs especially. I have never had a Pt with a trach and have never suctioned someone. My program spent 16 hours a week in clinicals and I had classmates who had never put in a foley. Don't beat yourself up. When the next opportunity arrives think of it as your chance to learn. You don't have to do it "right" the first time, or the second. It is a chance to practice and figure out how to do it so you can eventually do it with ease. Even seasoned nurses don't get all of their "skills stuff" perfect every time. Cut yourself some slack and think of how far you have come. You can do it!!!!!:)
Specializes in LTC, home health, critical care, pulmonary nursing.
I have a friend who is a WONDERFUL nurse. In the middle of fourth semester, her instructor asked her class why they were there. After much brain wracking, her answer was simply, "Because I've gone too far to quit now." The stress had gotten to her. But she finished, and it's very obvious, to me anyway, that she was put on this earth to be a nurse.
I've thought the same things you have. I graduated May 2005. I still feel apprehensive about some things and I still ask lots of questions throughout my shift. I remember very clearly the time before the last semester of school. It is difficult to face the reality that it is almost time to actually become and function as a nurse. Everyone on my floor has been very informative and supportive. Also, a lot of things seem to come together for me in the last semester. I had my best clinical experiences then as well.
I would not let the skills be a big stressor. It is hard to say that because I was the same way. I remember how scared I was when I put in my first, second, and even third foley or started IVs. I would always have an experienced nurse come with me and kind of hang around and help out if I needed it. Later on in your career, you will look back on how scared you were about certain skills and you will probably laugh. I have been told this by several nurses and now I can already begin to see what they mean. After you do skills several times, you will get your confidence level up and they will be the last thing on your mind.
As for the stress of bedside care, I guess it is not for everyone. You can always try going to a different area like the stress lab or cath lab maybe. I have not been off orientation on the floor long. I am orienting in dialysis now. The days that I am on the floor, I am still overwhelmed and stressed but I think it is how you deal with the stress that determines if you will continue the bedside care. I do speak with very little experience, but I think it is important to have good coworkers and to laugh when you get the chance.
Also, if you don't already have a job in a hospital setting, I would recommend getting one if you are able to. I worked as a nurse extern for my last year of nursing school and it helped tremendously.
you might want to consider working in a long term care facility first. it is alot slower paced than hospitals, and it is a good place for graduate nurses to gain experience and learn (:chair: ===> hiding from ltc nurses). during the first few monthes i started working, i learned the medications, abnormal labs and practice nursing skills. in nursing homes, we do iv fluids, iv antibiotics, foleys, tracheostomy, lots lots of peg tubes . alot of patients are not acutely ill like patients in hosptals so you can take your time when doing nursing procedure. start with easy and after you learn the basics and gain confidence, then maybe you might want to consider working in the hospital. just an idea, but you dont have to take my words for it!!
When you get to the clinical arena, keep your eyes peeled for experienced nurses that enjoy teaching. There are more of us out there than you realize! Who doesn't like to be a know-it-all? If you are called upon to do a procedure, grab your charge nurse or another experienced nurse and let them know you need their help to perform an unfamiliar procedure, either have them talk you through it or watch and assist while they perform. Always be willing to help out and ask questions. Don't worry about those that are offended by questions, as one old hand suggested, they may not like to hear questions b/c they don't have all the answers(their problem, not yours). Best of luck to you and yours!
relax, dear. this is the last think you need to be worrying about. dont fret....... when time comes for you to perform at the bedside, you will have a preceptor with you for at least a few weeks..... and if you are not sure of something, ask someone who has more experience..... ive been a nurse for 5 years, and still find myself asking questions to other nurses all the time..... nurses work as a team, and there will always be someone who will be glad to help you..... good luck and i hope this helps.... stop worrying, and start studying for those boards!!!!!!!
... The worst reason for deciding NOT to be a nurse is because you don't know if you can start on IV or Foliate someone. ...
Papaw John
Foliate... makes me think of Foliage... Hee, hee ... Sorry, way off topic
And Dont worry Angelica. Everything I needed to know about bedside nursing in the beginning I learned from my preceptor in my eight week new grad orientation. ...What I learned in nursing school clinicals made say 5% of my knowlege base at best. You have a good theoretical knowlege foundation that you will be building on over the comming years. Don't worry, you'll do great and I really have a strong feeling that you'll wind up just loving your job dearly, you'll be very proud of yourself and satisfied once you find out that you can handle it just fine. :)
Some of my nursing school class mates held IV parties about once a month at someones home. They would "liberate" the iv start kits, tubing, etc. and just practice on each other.
Some people are just better at getting into that vein than others. I tend to get "shaky hand syndrome" when I start an IV, it's usually easier if my patient is unconscious because I can focus, take my time and don't have to chat and calm an anxious patient down.
. alot of patients are not acutely ill like patients in hosptals so you can take your time when doing nursing procedure. start with easy and after you learn the basics and gain confidence, then maybe you might want to consider working in the hospital. just an idea, but you dont have to take my words for it!! 
... Sorry, way off topic 
Curious1alwys, BSN, RN
1,310 Posts
Great post Sweetcheekers!!!
Good Luck to you OP. I do agree that this may be just a case of "cold feet" setting in, since you are entering Block 4! Keep on pushin' on!!! You will be OK!!!