First Skills Lab/Check-Off - HELP!!

[KristinWW]

This is a cross-post from the Student Nursing Board; I received lots of "views" but no responses and now I'm feeling major anxiety - what in the world happens during the first skills check-off??

We are doing vitals and are tested with a partner - do we test on each other? Do we do the entire process ourselves or does the instructor yell out requests at each step? I realize these seem like basic questions but I'm really nervous. Can anyone help please? Thank you!

[CashewLPN, LPN]

Kristin:

First, take a deep breath... now, take another one... (it usually takes me 2 or three to calm myself a bit...)

Seriously... calmness is the key to doing well...(I'll elaborate more on that in a minute)

When we did it... ever so long ago... (the procedures haven't changed)

we had to check a BP on an instructer while using a 'dual earpiece' stethescope... so they could hear along with it to make sure you were doing it right... no biggie... you've done it before... you'll do it again... Then, we had to assess pulse and respirations again, on the instructor... we followed up with reading of Glass thermometers (I know, how ancient, but its still a necessary skill) just rotate it at eye level until you see whats the measure...

You'll do well.... this is the usually easy, basic, fundimental stuff you NEED to know, and how to do well... and, if your teachers are anything like how mine were, they would have beat the technique into you...

ok.. about being calm... on the odd chance that you guys are using each other for skills checks... if you get overly nervous, you can really hype up your heart rate, BP, and resps.... which on an occasion when I was in school got one of us in a recliner chair for 20 mins till calmed... no sence in getting worked up, although you might want to-- you'll get through it no problem.

Good luck...(although your learning will carry you further than any luck will...)

--Barbara

[sharann, BSN, RN]

I went through a 2 yr RN program. My experiences in the 1st skills lab were like Yetti's ! Just calm yourself. They know you are new at this. This is why you are a student rather than an instructor or nurse right now. You will be fine. Just don't fake it! They will know, plus you are not helping your future patients if you don't know what you are doing. Best to see what you are stronger at (and what needs more practice)