I need encouragement!

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hey all, I am a first termer in my 3rd week of clinicals. I really do enjoy nursing school so far, but it is so challenging. I hear its normal to feel depressed, tired, and wanting to give up, but is it? I know I will not give up till i have my RN license, but this really is hard. I have been doing good so far, but i am borderline in 2 of my classes, even though I study really hard. But the think that I hate the most so far is clinical days. I love being with the patient, and giving them they help they need, thats why I got into nursing. But i hate the fact that a lot of the time i dont what in the world im doing. I really am kind of disapointed with the way it is set up to be honest. I guess I kind of figured there would be a teaache with us at all times to guide us. But really I just do an assessment and take vitals and do my careplans. I feel kind of worthless, and that im getting in the way of the actual nurse. I also feel bad doing assessments on the patient that arent even official. Is it normal to not really know what your doing? I mean I want to learn how to do the IV machines and how to change out the drains, but seems like all im doing is bedbaths and changing beds, and giving a subq here or there. When there is something I dont know how to do the nurse does it, but she just does it, and she isnt exactly teaching me and it goes by so fast that I didnt learn anything at all. Basically i haven't learned a real lot in my clinical experience so far, and I wanted to know if this is normal. I guess you pick it up after repetition but, im not even bein shown how to do stuff.

Specializes in Case Managemnt, Utilization Review.

These are normal feelings. You are supposed to learn about clinical by doing the care plans, so when you actually do stuff for the patient you know why. You look up all the meds before hand, you forget that the nurses with you, already know this stuff. They learned it, just like you are now. As you get more used to the whole college experience, your study skills will get better. It is supposed to be all consuming of your time, I worked 10 hours every other week during school. See if you can get a job as a candy striper (volunteer)on the weekends at a hospital, or work in a nursing home over the summer. It will help you see every day, why you want this RN title. This is going to be the best job you will ever love when you are done. Think of the goal. When we start with the pity that continues to bring us down. As the weather gets warmer, go out and get exercise and fresh air, even for 10-20 a day. This will help with perspective too. Hang in there, We have all been through it. The preparation for the clinical, as drudging as it seems is the most important part for the skills to become second nature to you. You are going to be great. CHIN UP!! LOOK TOWARDS THE GOAL &think of how much money you'll make. Betty

Specializes in psychiatric, research, icu, float, pacu.

The things you think are not as important are acutually very important. It takes time. You are only in your third week, and even learning how to properly give a bed bath or make a bed is just as important as passing meds or starting IV's.

Sometimes I've found that a nice bath and some clean sheets can help a patient sleep better than a sleeping pill.

Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

It's tough. Sounds like you're right where you need to be and that's normal. Good nurses struggle sometimes, slackers don't.

You sound totally normal to me, and very sweet and dedicated. Be patient, persevere.

Where is your Instructor??? She is, indeed, supposed to very close by you and your fellow students.

Also, approach the nurses and other staff (aides) and let it be known that you would really like to learn whatever there is to learn. Make rounds with the doctors, too.

Remember that nurses are under so much pressure these days that they might seem unwilling to teach or impatient. Truly, though, they don't have a whole lot of free time, if any, and they might resent your Instructor not being there. Just be friendly and try a little humor, take in some doughnuts or bagels or candy apples or hand them a stick of gum or a homemade cinnamon bun on occasion and you might them a lot friendlier. Then lower the boom and tell them you want to learn how to do whatever it is.

The aides will probably thrilled if you want to help them make beds, bathe people, whatever. Make sure you have permission to help with patients other than your own.

First get very comfortable with what you are doing. Start comparing the difference in each patients breath sounds, read a pt history then go try and listen for the heart murmur so you will know what one sounds like. Assessment is the heart and soul of being an RN. When you feel comfortable look for opportunities to learn more, be assertive and ask to do things, ask questions no one expects you to know everything and they don't like it if you think you do. This is your time to learn, it is what you are paying for and sometimes you can't depend on the school to present all the opportunities to you...you have to seek them out. Now I am going to go eat my young.

This takes me back a little ways, but I remember how it was. I went for my ADN first. The 1st and 2nd quarters were just hard. I wanted to cry just about every day and quit every other day. Just do what you can to keep up at clinical and the books. If you get a summer break, I would highly suggest working as an aid at a nursing facility or hospital. You wouldn't believe how much this will help you by the time you go back after the summer break.

I would say that after the 2nd quarter, something just "clicked" and I began to really understand what the "nursing process" is all about. It is just that - "a process" of learning....

Thank you everyone, for all of your replies.

Specializes in ICU, Geri, Education.

Hang in there! Nursing school is certainly hard. You will be under alot of pressure! There is a light at the end of the tunnel. I know, I have been there! I will be graduating May 4.

Sunnie

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