frustrated with my clinical skills

Flare, ASN, BSN · Feb 7, 2012

So the first thing you need to keep in mind is that nobody was born having excellent clinical skills. That is the reason for clinicals -to practice in a semi-controlled setting with someone looking over your shoulder. Now, you may be the type of person that doesn't do well when someone is looking over your shoulder - which is fine - but you need to learn to accept the fact that while you're in clinicals, someone's going to be watching you like a hawk... (the process reverses itself when you become a floor nurse and start to collaborate with nursing schools working with you - it's really a fascinating experience).

The second thing you need to realize is that 80% of it is simply having the self confidence to get in there and get busy - whether or not someone is watching you. Take just a moment before you step on the floor to duck into the restroom - look at yourself in the mirror - i am sure you look like a million bucks in your uniform. Smile and remind yourself "I got this!"... because you do!

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · Feb 7, 2012

So the first thing you need to keep in mind is that nobody was born having excellent clinical skills. That is the reason for clinicals -to practice in a semi-controlled setting with someone looking over your shoulder. Now, you may be the type of person that doesn't do well when someone is looking over your shoulder - which is fine - but you need to learn to accept the fact that while you're in clinicals, someone's going to be watching you like a hawk... (the process reverses itself when you become a floor nurse and start to collaborate with nursing schools working with you - it's really a fascinating experience).
The second thing you need to realize is that 80% of it is simply having the self confidence to get in there and get busy - whether or not someone is watching you. Take just a moment before you step on the floor to duck into the restroom - look at yourself in the mirror - i am sure you look like a million bucks in your uniform. Smile and remind yourself "I got this!"... because you do!

Thank you!

caroRN · Feb 7, 2012

Most new nurses and nursing students are concerned about nursing skills in the beginning. I'm finishing up my first year as an RN-BSN and I'm here to tell you it gets better. In nursing school, I wish I had believed all the instructors who told me that I didn't need to worry about skills. You'll get the skills over time.

The fact that you're concerned about providing good patient education at this time is right on! You're focusing on the important parts for this point in your nursing education/career. You may blank but that's okay. I have to tell patients from time to time that I can't answer their questions. I always tell them "I'm not sure about the answer to that and I'd hate to give you wrong information. Let me go look that up and I'll get back to you." Or if it's something I can't answer or something best deferred to the MD, then I'll write the question on their dry-erase board in their room so they remember to ask the MD when he makes his rounds (I work nights). If it's patient education for some kind of intervention (like incentive spirometry or something), I've printed out a patient education leaflet and used it as a prompt for my education if needed. At the end, they have something to refer to also! And I remember better the next time.

As for your nurse instructor not letting you do much, can you ask her to let you work on certain goals at the beginning of each shift? Sometimes, nurses have trouble giving up the reins in my experience. Asking sometimes prompts them to make use of a teaching moment. Also, as Flare mentioned, walking in with confidence will make a difference - with your nursing instructor as well. If you still aren't getting much experience after asking for more practice from your instructor, consider asking to work with a different nurse. Some nurses are better than others at teaching students and finding the balance between allowing the student enough freedom to learn by doing and providing enough supervision for safety and reassurance.

I doubted my choice of nursing when I was finishing up school too. Hang in there. In my experience, it gets better. You like the subject matter and you genuinely care for your patients. You'll be great!

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Feb 7, 2012

Back in the dark ages... when I started nursing... I was kinda shy and had not developed my clinical skills.

Turned out , I had an aptitude for leadership.

I became a well respected charge nurse. It takes time. Don't put yourself down!

Keep a journal.... congratulate yourself for what you did well, learn from what you did ...that was not so well.

Patient ed is easy. Read the material before you give it to them. I learn something new every time I teach.

Be pro-active, ASK your preceptor for guidance on something new. Maybe it is the preceptor who is failing YOU.

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Feb 7, 2012

believe me, the employer is more interested in your brain than your skill at this point. It will come.