First Time Clinical Jitters

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I just went through my first night a clinical in my first semester. I was so nervous and scared, but I got through it okay. I am wondering how many others have experienced this and how did you cope with it?

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Specializes in Home Health, Case Management, OR.

Every clinical day will get a little bit better until before you realize it you are not nervous at all! I was so so nervous my first day, then as I became more familiar with the facility, pts, staff and daily schedule I got more comfortable and you will too!!

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In my very first clinical last year, I was so nervous I could not even go into the patient's room.

My clinical instructor saw me, took me by the shoulders, and walked in with me. That's all it took. It gets so much easier every time. You just need practice!

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Believe it or not it does get easier. The first day in clinical my classmates and I were so nervous afraid to touch the pts, do procedures, ask questions but every week we are more comfortable. It really helps to have someone in your group that you can partner up with. Good luck!

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Specializes in LTC.

Let me tell you, I was a CNA for years before I went to nsg school. My first day of clinicals I thought would be a breeze. Boy was I wrong! My very first patient as a SVN was an inmate from our state prision. YES! Talk about my jaw dropping to the floor! Everytime I went into the room to tend to my patient I needed 2 guards in there with me at all times. I was speachless everytime I walked in there. Then my nsg instructor told me something I will never forget. Medicine does not discriminate so neither should you. Just because he is shackled up dosent mean he does not need your help. So with my head held high...I provided care to this inmate who had a 9in lac to his abdomen...which by the way was the first sterile wound care i had done on a human! It gets better and you will feel more confident in your skills as you progress in school!

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We have not started clinicals yet, so I wander how I will react. Your story about the prisoner cracks me up...I used to work at a prison and I have a fear of walking in and seeing an inmate that was once my caseload. That would be too weird...it has been a few years since I left case management, so I am hoping all of the ones I worked with are deported by now (all short timers facing deportation).

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