First semester nursing student - Mixed feelings after practicum

[Burno]

I've just finished my second day at practicum, and I'm starting to have mixed feelings about nursing. Right now I'm at a long-term care facility, and it's such an overly depressing place to be. The work is mundane, the client's aren't there cognitively, and having several patient's not allow me to even come into a room strictly because I'm a male.. I'm starting to feel a little offput.

Has anyone experienced this before? I feel that working in E.R. or surgical may be better suited for me, but I don't want to stick it through until 3rd semester to find out it isn't.

[sjalv]

LTCs can be depressing environments, I agree. My first patient also was cognitively impaired and would not let me spend more than 15 minutes with her. Imagine trying to do an assessment in that time! LTC is definitely a different environment than acute care. I think that only you can decide if you should continue, though. For example, I know I would never want to work in a LTC facility, but I also know having knowledge about geriatric patients is important, and I feel like my experiences in the nursing home this semester will follow me throughout nursing school and my career as a nurse, no matter where I end up. Most people who want to be nurses have at least some form of desire to help other people. Not that this is a definitive requirement to be a nurse, but it's something to consider.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

My first semester was very disturbing......I was ready to quit. That was 35 years ago. Stick with it.

[smalltownhero]

Stick with it. I remember the first month I started my internship. I had so many doubts and questions as to if I were fit for the job. But it seems the highs and lows are apart of the gig. Cognitively challenged patients/clients are simply apart of nursing and healthcare. Remember, as patients we spend the most amount of time in a hospital during the last two years of our life. As far as being a male nurse, that will pay dividends in the long run!

[krisiepoo]

They put you in a LTC the first semester because it's such an easy place to do/learn how to do assessments because everyone is so stable and it's so calm. I was super bored, too, so I just started answering call lights as soon as I had the info I needed for my papers. You only have 1 semester at a LTC, stick with it it only gets better from here. As a male nurse, you're going to have to deal with the fact that not every patient is going to be comfortable with you. If this is going to be an issue for YOU, then you'll have to think about that closer.

[Everline]

I had an LTC experience similar to yours. It's okay not to like every clinical placement. It's all part of learning about yourself and what might or might not be a good fit for you. You will move on to other clinical placements and other learning experiences. Hang in there.

[ArrowRN, BSN, RN]

Totally agree with you, its not a fun place to be, just get through it...I don't know anyone in my class who liked the long-term care clinicals. Just fake it or make the best of it and pass your clinicals, don't tell your instructor you hate it. Think of the people as your family and just be helpful...talk to them, they got lots of stories and tend to be lonely and love your attention. I'm now in 3rd semester starting to get the hang of nursing. You will feel much better in the next semester when clinicals move to a hospital setting. It totally different.

[lovenotwar14]

I say if you don't want to do it. Quit.

[bell1962]

I hated my 1st clinical... nursing home... that smell "urine mixed with cleaner"... took me a while to get over.

30 years later I'm still here. Give it more time....

[ScientistSalarian]

I hated my first rotation in LTC. HATED it. It made me question if it was just the setting that I didn't like or if I truly just was not cut out for nursing in general. I'm now in the midst of our acute care rotations and enjoying myself thoroughly.

For me I think it was just a combination of being uncomfortable in the LTC environment and frustrated with only being able to perform the most basic nursing functions while I was there. I say stick it out at least until you get to your next rotation and then decide. I definitely thought about quitting during those first few weeks but I know now that it would have been a huge mistake.

[OrganizedChaos, LVN]

I know your first semester in clinicals isn't great. You aren't doing what you expect, you're in LTC & a lot of people don't exactly love that environment. Just wait it out until you get further along in the program. You'll get to go to clinicals at a local hospital & be able to do more skills as you check off. Just wait it out, I knew I didn't like the LTC environment but I wanted to be a nurse.

[Princesswho]

I remember feeling the same feeling in my first couple clinicals in a nursing home (other then being a male). I work in an ER now and I tell you what every nurse will tend to gravitate towards something that I like more then other areas. With that being said you cant find what you like if you dont move forward. Long term nursing facilities are rough. Stick it out if you felt that nursing was for you enough to apply there has to be something you found appealing about the job. As far as being a male in nursing my best friend in nursing school was a guy he experienced some of what you are talking about but he tried not to let it bother him and would ask to be assigned to another patient. Men are amazing to have around to help with some of the heavier things that the small ladies cant do alone. I work with a ton on male nurses in the ER and as far as care goes I have never heard of someone saying they didnt want a male nurse down there unless it was a cultural thing and most of the time they state this before they go to a room so we know ahead of time not to place them there. Stick with it is my advice!!