First day of clinicals .. does this get easier?

[Neldavi]

****I cross-posted this in the student forum****

I'm a first semester nursing student and I just had my first clinical day today. I've been doing very well in the classroom, but this is a whole other deal.

I've never worked in any sort of medical or caretaker situation and have never even had a family member in the hospital. I felt very uncomfortable, was nervous, and made several mistakes. Is it like this for everyone?

I'm a shy person, which is part of the problem. I'm not really a "people person". I like people, and am interested in people's needs and desires and right to remain healthy, but I've just never had a hands-on type of situation to play that out in. I like to stand back and observe for a while before I jump in and start doing something, but that isn't going to work for nursing school. I can tell that the learning curve is going to be pretty steep, as far as the hands-on stuff.

I know this is probably very premature, but I'm already thinking maybe I am not meant to be a nurse if I was so uncomfortable around illness and in that hospital situation. It was quite a shock, honestly.

Any advice or word of wisdom are appreciated.

[ComeClarity]

Recent LPN grad here. I would give yourself more time to adjust to the whole thing. Like you, when I entered nursing school, I had never worked as a CNA or wiped another adult's butt before so it was quite the adjustment. I remember my first bed bath, I was SO nervous. I'm sure your classmates are just as nervous as you are. I know you might have the desire to step back and observe before plunging in, but I think sometimes just going in and getting your (gloved) hands dirty is the best thing to quell your nerves. That's what helped me.

As for making mistakes, just remember patient (and your own) safety ALWAYS. Side rails up, bed low, call light within patient's reach before you leave the room always. If you don't feel like you can safely transfer a patient or turn them (especially some of the super obese ones that come in), get help in doing so. I think you just need to give yourself a chance to take it all in. You'll be fine. :)

[dthfytr, ADN, LPN, RN, EMT-B, EMT-I]

You went to nursing school to LEARN, not because you already know how to be a nurse. Cut yourself some slack. The "learning curve" is very steep at first, later on it shallows and at that point you'll be happy you stuck with it, and proud to be called a nurse.

Everybody makes mistakes. Those who continued on lived the Latin phrase "vini, vidi, velcro," or in English "we came, we saw, we stuck with it!"

Wishing you a long fulfilling career.

[giulistudentnurse]

uhmmm..well.. I am first semester in RN program too..But, I have an extensive hosp./SNf exp. and i loved it. Going into Nursing career you must love the job and passion to help someone. It is going to be hard at fist but if you have a passion for it ..you will be fine otherwise, Think twice..sorry to say this but maybe some people are not meant to become a Nurse.

[buster4]

Well, give yourself a break!!! I was shy, backward, afraid at first, I had zero experience as well...... it may take a little more time than one with some experience, but you will learn!! Do not listen to negative people!!!! If I had quit, i wouldn't have been a nurse for 20 years and now in NP school......... So give yourself a break, the first day is ALWAYS the worst and hardest.......... I remember in school it would take ALL DAY to take care of one patient........... well once out of school you learn the real way and you get your own routine.... and you will be fine!!! Don't be so hard on yourself!! Take it one day at a time!!

[cschoppe]

Weird that I had exactly the opposite reaction to my first day of clinicals 3 semesters ago. I found myself very nervous but when I walked into a patient's room I kind of went on autopilot and just 'did' without thinking twice. Now that I'm in my specialties semester of clincals, I have more sense to stop and think about my nerves but overall I don't let that stand in my way. I am usually a shy person really so this is kind of unusual for me. I have made mistakes and said some things where afterwards I was like, "really, did I say that?" lol but you live and you learn :) It gets easier I promise, it's a whole new world you just gotta get used to.

[tokidokifantasy]

It's normal to panic and feel out of place during clinical. My second day of clinical I was doing a G tube flushing and I forgot to turn off the valve and got it all over the patient. I was too nervous and I guess it's normal. I learned my lesson!! LOL!

[mybrowneyedgirl, BSN, RN]

It sure does. Just remember they are regular people. Sometimes you have to kill them with kindness when you want to strangle them too.

[Dazglue, ADN, BSN, MSN, RN]

Wow! Sounds like you were describing me on my 1st clinical day because I never had much hands-on patient experience besides being a transporter. But here I am, in my final semester about to graduate. Like a previous poster said, you go to school to learn. Some think no hospital experience is good so you learn everything "by the book" which helps during test times! Lol. And remember to learn from your mistakes because each semester builds upon the previous! Good luck! I think you're going to do great!

[dizzyray822]

I'm in my last semester of nursing school to be an RN and I think what you're feeling is completely normal. My first couple of clinicals were just horrifying to me. I had not the slightest idea of what to do when I stepped in my patients rooms. It gets better. I dont want to say easier as you'll always be nervous when you're being watched and observed by your instructor in a clinical but you get used to it and know more of what to expect. It takes time, I promise. I have my last Cardio clinical next Wednesday and I already know I'll be giving meds with my instructor and I'm already kinda nervous just because I know she'll be watching me! But that's part of nursing school. Good luck and just try to relax!! :)

[Weebee, LVN]

Any first day is going to be tough, be it clinical's or employment. It does get easier, but this job is not for everyone. It is by far one of the hardest jobs ive ever done... but by far the most rewarding job i've ever done as well.

The pay seems nice but once employed you soon find you dont get paid near enough.

[Do-over, ASN, RN]

It does get easier, and better.

When I was in school, the hardest thing for me was the feeling that I was not really necessary to the patient or his or her care. Once I figured out that I COULD be a benefit to them, simply because I had a lot of time for them (good baths, washing their hair, visiting with them, etc) I got a lot more confident about my time in clinicals.