Calling all nurses...did you ever wonder if you could do it?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

:confused: I just was curious on how many nurses felt in doubt in whether they could get through nursing school, before they entered and during nursing school, and after too I guess. How did you get through it?

I doubted myself, but I found that I kept looking too far ahead. At the beginning of nursing school I would think about the end and how far away it was. I finally just started worrying about getting through just one day at a time....it made things a lot more manageable, and the time just flew by!! (In hind sight, anyway!) LOL Good luck!! Take just one bite at a time and you'll make it!!

They expected me to talk to people. Then they expected me to talk to naked people while giving them a bath. Then they expected me to remember what was said. Then they wanted me to do procedures, and talk to people.

I was terror stricken in clincal for the entire first year. I still remember several of the patients I had that year by name, some for what I learned while caring for them, some for the funny experiences caring for them evoked (having a patient scream "oh, sweet Jesus, save me" while you're caring for her does not build confidence or self esteem), and a few for what they taught me because they knew I was new and cared.

Specializes in Community Health Nurse.

Never doubted I would graduate and pass the NCLEX and become one of millions of great RNs across Planet Earth! :nurse:

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

All the time...right til the last week of school...the MIND GAMES....the STRESS.....the NCLEX was not on my mind til after I was pinned...they always threatened right up til graduation day. I made it.....but I tell you, so much of it was unnecessary......teach the test and play games with our heads. That was how it was done...our attrition rate was more than 50%......so yes I did WONDER if I could do it....Hang in there, do the best you can and keep your nose clean. It's all I can tell you! Good luck!

I did doubt myself. I did well enough in the classes, but they were HARD for me. I hated the clinicals, I really did.

My school was VERY supportive and really wanted you to be successful. I mean, yeah, I missed an "A" in fundamentals by .03 point, but that's just crumbs, you know? If you were struggling or scared in clinicals, there was a LOT of help.

When I was going through school toward the ADN, I thought of the first semester as being a nurse up to my knees, then up to my waist when I finished the second semester. Up to my armpits after the next, and after the last, I was in over my head, and these people EXPECTED ME TO BE A NURSE?????

Yeah. But it turns out I was (am) one. Go figure.

Love

Dennie

Love

Dennie

Originally posted by Dr. Kate

I was terror stricken in clincal for the entire first year. I still remember several of the patients I had that year by name, some for what I learned while caring for them, some for the funny experiences caring for them evoked (having a patient scream "oh, sweet Jesus, save me" while you're caring for her does not build confidence or self esteem), and a few for what they taught me because they knew I was new and cared. [/b]

You are too funny Dr. Kate!

I was also terror stricken, felt dumbfounded and was in awe of everyone wearing a white cap, carrying a stethascope, or wearing 'scrubs' that first year.

The terror and doubt lessened as I learned more and gained some proficieny in my clinical skills. Just hang in there, it will get better.

Paula

I would like to thank you all for responding. I especially like Dazedgiggle's take one day at a time. I think that is definitely something I have to take heed.

Please don't stop responding with your own stories. I love this BB!

YES - I have doubts all the time! I am doing well, but keep thinking that something stupid is going to get me and I will not make it through. There are only a few more weeks left, and I still worry almost daily!

I am about six months from graduating and just today I was wondering if I could actually be a good nurse. My instructor was giving me tips on how to get a confused patient to take her meds when she didn't want to. She said to tell them they are to take their meds, not give them a choice and they are more compliant. I tried, and I failed at it. I felt I was being assertive and that I would get her to take them, but then instructor jumped in and got patient to take her med in about a minute. I felt like a failure. It was a freakin' Tums! Also, I had a high need patient as well as the confused patient and was running around like a chicken with its head cut off. I am also doing well. I have booksmarts and my instructors like my clinical papers. I have a B+ and an A, but I don't think that writing papers well will make me a good nurse. On other days, I feel confident about myself that I can do this because it is something I have wanted to do for years. It is hard, but only time can tell if I will be competent. (fingers crossed)

School hasn't been too hard for me up until this semester, I'm in an ADN program and will graduate in May. In every semester I've had anxiety about whether I will be able to keep up with the piles of paperwork, but I've found that one day at a time works pretty well.

All the previous semesters we've pretty much been "babysat" through our clinicals, we couldn't do any procedures without an instructor present. Now this semester I have an instructor who believes we should be responsible for everything for our patients and doesn't monitor us closely unless we ask her to (if it's our first time doing a skill). The responsibility has been overwhelming! Especially when it comes to meds. It is a scary feeling to know that something you do can have an adverse effect on a person, like side effects and the way the medication is delivered. And that person trusts you to take care of them and help them get well. I check my drug guide like five times, and I am constantly assessing my patients for any changes. I'm so paranoid!

There have been times when I wonder about how I will handle it when I graduate and have more patients to care for. I wonder if I will ever be confident in my skills. But I just continue to take it one day at a time. A lot of the nurses I have worked with have said that you get more education once you're out of school and orienting, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I have a good preceptor!

Grim determination always helps. ;)

I'd been told that "Everything in life is really based on Willpower: If you supply the Will, God'll supply the Power."

My patients might still hear me praying before any procedure, "I WILL do this. In the Name of Jesus, amen." :D

(it works, too) :nurse:

+ Add a Comment