First day of clinicals-Nervousness

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Hey Y'all!

I has been FOREVER since I have posted; I have been pretty busy with school!

I started my first day of clinicals today at a local nursing home. I was super nervous about clinicals and of all the unknowns a new experience brings.

It actually started out pretty smoothly. We started off with partners, feeding breakfast to the residents and changing bed linens. Having a partner really seemed to help my confidence.

Then, when 12:00 rolled around, it was time to give finger sticks to the residents. There were 5 people in my group, so each of us were required to do a finger stick on a resident. I thought, "no biggie" I have been doing pretty well so far, so this simple task should be ok; I was WRONG!

I had told my instructor I would take this certain resident, because I had gotten to know him around breakfast feedings earlier this morning. I had never done a finger stick before, so I was a little nervous, but nothing compared to this morning. Well, when I started to stick the finger, my hand immediately started to shake and I began to get flustered. The funny thing was, I didn't feel nervous when I offered to do a finger stick on this resident a few seconds before. My instructor who is a little abrasive, immediately told me I was doing it all wrong. That didn't help my nervousness and confidence, AT ALL! Still flustered, I finished up the finger stick and it was my classmates turn to help another resident.

All of my classmates and even my instructor know I am a nervous person. I joke about with them because I know it's true. Inside, I am so FRUSTRATED that I get so nervous. I wish I could tell my body to stop.

I am already on medication for anxiety that stems from middle school. If they only knew how my nervousness used to be.....

I don't want to give up on my first day, but I just feel so frustrated and embarrassed that I get so nervous.

It doesn't help that tomorrow with have our own patient to care for.....

I would love some advice on how to keep from being so nervous. I feel as though I am the only one in my group who became flustered today. It really is getting me down...... :/

Sorry for the long post. I just needed some advice.

Thanks so much!!!!

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I know exactly how you feel. Let me tell you how my nervousness gets the best of me. I too started clinicals at a nursing home. We did not get to have partners so I envy that. We met in the front lobby and were given our assignments. I think we started out with two patients at first. We were told we would have 5 minutes to review the charts and then find our patients and provide care. I panicked!!! How am I suppose to look at the chart for 5 minutes and remember everything about my pt.and what their needs are? I made it through that part and then it came time for us to give meds. One of my patients had a peg tube so I was going to get to do my first real procedure that I had learned in the classroom. I am tall and my patient was in a wheelchair so I had to bend down on the floor. I was shaking like a leaf. I did fine until I got ready to leave the room. I stood up and in my moment of feeling proud of myself, I hit my head on the TV that was hanging on the wall. I felt like such an idiot. Ha Ha!!

I was always nervous every time when went to a new clinical sight. I too have one instructor that is a little on the rough side. She made me extremely nervous!!! My husband told me one night to just go in there, take a deep breath and even if I am nervous not to let her see it. Believe it or not it worked. The next day I had to insert my first foley with that same instructor. I was scared to death, but I just got in there and did it. I could tell a difference in her attitude towards me immediately. I haven't had any problems since and that moment gave me the confidence that I needed. Now I am 29 days away from graduating.

My point is for you not to be so hard on yourself. Keep in mind that your instructor was once in your shoes and felt the same way you do. Just go in there and take a deep breath and have confidence in your abilities. I know you can do it!!! Good luck and hold your head high!!!!

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DON'T GIVE UP!!! :)

It was your first day, so of course the first day of anything you're bound to feel a little nervous. Plus, it's different from learning something in theory, then actually going out there and doing it for the first time!!!

I know how you feel with anxiety, I get it too. The best thing to do is to take a deep breath and think to yourself, What is the exact reason I'm so nervous? Once you figure out that answer, you can train your brain to calm down and think of solutions.

Confidence comes with experience. Watch your fellow students/instructors how they do it, and follow protocol and eventually you will feel better about doing things.

Best of luck to you!

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Take a deep breath and remind yourself being nervous isn't going to help any. If you look and act confident you will soon find that you are confident.

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I have a nervous/anxiety problem too. As I've gotten older I've learned ways to deal with it. With practice it gets easier and easier to calm yourself down. I agree with asmith79, sometimes trying to pinpoint a reason is helpful. So that you can identify a reason and solve the problem. Other times you realize there is no reason to be so nervous! I also agree with jg24, don't let your instructor see you so nervous.

Also you could try push all emotion out and just reciting the steps required in your mind. That should work. Even if you can only remember one step at a time. Just don't focus on the nervous feeling. And don't focus on what you could do wrong, or looking like a fool. We all look like fools at some time. Everyone starts somewhere. Your the boss of your emotions. Push them down or push them out.(focusing on other things really does help). Anyway I don't know if your religious, but when all else fails...I pray. Pray for peace and comfort.

p.s. Don't try avoiding uncomfortable situations because they make you nervous. It will only make things worse.

So focus on something else, smile and fake it til you make it!

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Specializes in Med/Surgical; Critical Care; Geriatric.

I have a tip for you and I hope it makes you smile! :) When you have someone or a group watching you do a skill, just picture them in you mind that they all are naked and just smile and breathe nice and slow. (Just don't start laughing!)

You'll get through it! :D (cheesie smile)

Rhonda

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