Ready to graduate... HELP!

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Oct 14, 2010

I completed an LPN/LVN program in 2005 and an RN program earlier this year. Guess what? Both offered clinical experiences that were suboptimal and not up to par. I had never inserted a foley, started an IV, hung blood, maintained chest tubes, performed wound care, or learned any major skills during my clinical shifts in school. The opportunities simply were not there.

If you are not learning skills in clinical, you will have to learn them during your first nursing job. This should not be a problem because subpar clinical experiences are more common than we realize, especially with today's generation of newly graduated nurses. Good luck to you!

netglow, ASN, RN · Oct 14, 2010

My Peds rotation was somewhat lack luster due to low census, but I did have an excellent time with rehab PT on some interesting developmental problems for little ones. Some developmental, congenital, traumatic. Like this a lot. Put as far as inpatient... not much. Peds was tougher for class tests, etc. I remember.

I think you should get the chance to do all the skills you mentioned!!! Do you have a clinical preceptorship? As soon as you get back to Adult med you need to pull your instructor, or better yet any RN you work with aside and give her a list, and say please, please bring me in on these skills!!!

Of note, you are not likely to do deep suctioning unless you are in an ICU preceptorship. I did 5 weeks in ICU, and also the year prior to that was able to spend 4 clinical days in another hospitals ICU, part of which was rounding with an RT. Although the RT kept saying he had to see another pt off the ICU, and would disappear. I had to stay on unit... called his phone after an hour... could hear the Starbucks chatter and Frappucino making in the backgournd :rolleyes:

Thing is, if you wait another minute you won't get any chance. You have to push it, push it, push it!!!!! If you have a chicken-**** clinical instructor, that is all the reason to pull a floor RN aside and bribe her with the food of her choice!!!!!

Barbara Hessinger · Oct 14, 2010

Welcome to my experience. I got out of a 2 year program after one year because I realized my money wasn't worth spending on a college which could care less teaching me hands on. I might go back one day but in the meantime I try to find a LPN job and get some experience. Now, that job finding part proves to be a challenge too.

The nursing programs only seem to be interested in increasing their enrollment and pay less attention to the outcome. They made their money, the hell with all the unemployed new grads.

himilayaneyes · Oct 14, 2010

I think this is the experience of most nursing students today. I graduated having never inserted a foley or iv...although we did very little wound care. You'll learn all of your skills on the floor which your potential employers already know. Just make sure when you get a job that you ask for training.

violet_violet · Oct 14, 2010

I was one of them... didn't get much hands on experience. And I was worried just like you.

What I did was... worked as a CNA for 1.5 years, and I also completed 2 preceptorships outside of nursing school. I think with that it helped me gained a lot of understanding, confidence, and knowledge.

MJB2010 · Oct 14, 2010

I will be finished completing the Associate Degree Program in December. I am doing my Pedi clinical which I am finding very difficult. I feel that I did not get alot of hands on clinical experience.. never inserted a foley, never suctioned, not alot of wound care.. I feel like I don't know half of what I shuold know to start working as a nurse.
The more this rotation goes on the dumber I feel. I am so afraid to get a job and not know what I am suppose to know.
Did anyone else ever feel this way. What do you suggest? Should I keep going on and studying?
I worked in the home care field, which doesn't give alot of experience with techical stuff.
Any suggestions, advice that would help???
Bea

What state are you in? I think you should start looking for an applying to new grad residencies, externships, internships etc and start applying NOW! They will be a good bridge for you! You will learn these things on the job and you need to build some confidence.

I felt exactly like you when I graduated back in May! EXACTLY like that! I am a few weeks into my new job now and it gets a little better every day!

SCnurse2010 · Oct 14, 2010

I graduated in May and hadn't done a lot of those things too. Most hospitals when hiring new grads expect to teach you. That's why most require a commitment. Graduating from nursing school taught me how to learn and think for myself. Nursing is not something you learn and then use. You learn basics in school and then continually learn until you retire.

86toronado, BSN, RN · Oct 14, 2010

Nursing school is to prepare you to take the NCLEX, period. They provide you with clinical experiences because they are required to by the state board of nursing. But they are not in business to produce graduate nurses who are going to be able to function as an experienced nurse. That is what experience means, you have to be out there doing a job for months or years before you will feel adequate. Get a job in the field, it will help give you experience with the technical stuff. And once you graduate and start applying to jobs, make sure you apply at places that have a good, comprehensive orientation/preceptor program. That will help. :)

PACNWNURSING · Oct 14, 2010

The hardest part will be landing a job, best of luck.....

beatrice1 · Oct 15, 2010

Thank you all for the advice, I feel alot better knowing I am not the only one to experience this.

How do I find out about "precensorship" that a few of you have mentioned. I am in Rhode Island and we have alot of teaching hospitals here.

Thanks again,

Bea

86toronado, BSN, RN · Oct 15, 2010

Call up the hospitals' HR departments, and ask about their new graduate orientation programs. Some things to include would be: length of orientation, education opportunities available, what kind of training do preceptors get? Also, if you get a job offer, see if you can shadow on the unit that you would be working on, preferably on the shift you would be working. I've found working nights that a lot of the "support" that they tell you about just isn't available after 5pm.