Can someone please help me or give me advice?

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I failed at my 2nd attempt at Transfers and Ambulation cert last night. I am in my first semester of Nursing school, and I really don't have much experience at all in transfers and ambulation and mobility. The instructor said I was too rough with her. I have one last attempt at this cert - if I don't pass this on Saturday, I am out of the program....which really upsets me a lot.

My problem? The last cert I have to do is on the Dean of the program I am in!! Now I am so nervous about that, it is making me physically ill. Has anyone ever had problems with this cert, and went as far with it as I have? Did you pass the 3rd time? Please give me hope that I will get past this....!!:o

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

I'm trying to visualize what would make an evaluator say someone was "too rough". The one thing that keeps coming to my mind is that happens when the assistant's movements are jerky rather than smooth. Does that sound like what might have happened during your demonstration of these procedures? If you don't move a patient smoothly, then you loose momentum and you literally have to use more force to do the job which, I think, would result in a rough transfer for the patient. One way I think this can be prevented is to make sure you have a wide stance (spread your feet) so you have a really good base of support, tighten your abdominal muscles and practice making your movements with the patient smooth and continuous without stopping. You have an advantage in demonstrating this with a well person. They are more likely to be cooperative and kind of help you out whether they are aware of it or not. Not all patients are going to be cooperative. So, practice on a willing partner today. Ask them to remain as limp as possible and practice being S-M-O-O-T-H-E in all the movements you make with them. Hope that helps you.

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agree with DETONIA somethings only come to us through practice..practice on family member or fellow student

also visulize the steps that you are taking in your mind several times before the actual test...and during the test take it one step at a time

good luck

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I found it helpful to be the "patient" where I could feel the fingers of well meaning, very intense students dig into me. Be mindful of your digits:)

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Thank you for all of your responses so far. I have a feeling I generated some responses from instructors, which is very helpful for me. I had no idea what was going on from the patients viewpoint...I am going in this morning at 8am for remediation - detailed one-on-one explanation of each scenario then get recerted. Please wish me luck....I am very nervous.

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whoo hooo!!! i passed the cert! i am still in the program!! and ya wanna know whats even better? i had to do a math exam also!! and i got a 95 on it!!!!!!!!!!

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Specializes in Med/Surg <1; Epic Certified <1.

Congratulations!! What doesn't kill us, makes us stronger!! (and hopefully smarter!!)

:balloons::Ball::balloons:

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Yeah! I now know NEVER to leave a patient on the side of the bed alone - YA WANNA GO TO A HOSPITAL TO GET BETTER, NOT INJURED!!

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

Yeah, that's kind of a biggie, kiddo. Better to have learned it in the lab than with an actual patient. Congratulations! :yelclap:

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