Clinical Jitters?

Nursing Students General Students

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Hey Guys! I find as I get nearer to clinicals, the more jittery I get.(ok...maybe a little nervous-aka scared). Did anyone else feel this way, and how did you handle it? Thanks!

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Specializes in Cardiac/Telemetry.

I felt that way too when I first started my clinicals. :) I couldn't sleep the night before and I really thought I was going to harm a patient. :lol2: However, the day went by very quickly and painfree. So, you'll be fine, just try to get some sleep and relax. :)

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Specializes in PICU, surgical post-op.

You won't be doing anything other than very basic patient care early on in clinicals without the oversight of an instructor. At least, not unless your program is very different from the majority of them out there. Just relax. Realize that no one expects you to know everything. I remember my first maternity clinical. I knew EVERYTHING about babies and newborn assessment, I loved the instructor and I had the cutest baby ever assigned to me. And yet, when it came time for me to perform an assessment for the instructor, I froze and the baby took that opportunity to pee on me. Which may have been a good thing, because we both laughed, and I got on with the task at hand. You'll have moments like that, when you think to yourself "Why can't I remember this? I must have studied it a hundred times!" But, more often, the moments will be "Oh! So that's how that works. Cool!"

Good luck in clinicals ... glad to see there are still nurses joining the ranks. =)

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My first day of clinical for second semester was teusday and the first 3 hours I seriously thought about running for the door. I was so scared. This is my first rotation in a hospital. Last semester we were in the nursing homes. What kept me there was the thought of coming home and trying to explain to my husband and girls why I quit. I'm sure this tuesday I will be just as scared!! I hope that by the end of this rotation I will no longer be this scared. I think what scares me the most is a patient having a poor outcome because of something I did or did not do. I feel a little on my own. We each have our own patient, if we have questions we can ask the patient's nurse or our instructor. For some reason, I thought we would not be on our own right away. So I keep working though my fear, with the hope that one day soon I will feel more comfortable with my role and no longer have such intense fear.

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Specializes in NICU, High-Risk L&D, IBCLC.

Many students feel this way when starting clinicals, including myself. What helped me the most was always remembering that I was there to learn (if I already knew this stuff then I wouldn't be in school for it ;) ) and making sure I had everything ready the night before clinical. This helped me feel confident when I arrived at clinical that I didn't forget some important detail (like my stethoscope or something).

Best of luck! You'll be fine.

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I am feeling the exact same way about my clinicals... This semester because of the holiday on the 15th my first class is the clinical... even though i know that it is going to basic stuff, and mostly orientation like stuff... i am still a little freaked... maybe more excited than anything... actually this site has helped me calm down alot... i know that i will be using his website forever...

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

We start orientation for our second semester on Tuesday....I am not feeling real comfortable about clinicals starting again....I really hated the feelings of ineptness I had for most of the first semester and am hoping a new CI will help calm those jitters down....the nurses are always so busy on the floor and my last CI acted like it was a huge imposition if we asked a question or for help!!

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

We all were nervous when we started. Heck...I had been a CNA for 23 years and I was still nervous. And that nervousness carried on every semester...and then I graduated...started my new job as an RN and I am still nervous most days...it gets easier...be kind to yourself...and as my first nursing instructor told us on a daily basis...BREATH!!...LOL...:lol2:

Good luck to you all...

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Specializes in Oncology.

HI,

I am heading into my 4th semester of clinicals and I am nervous before the start of it every time!! :eek: Just as I get used to one unit we are done and going to another. I am doing oncology this semester so I am nervous while excited for the experience at the same time.

Good luck to everyone.

Jenn :smilecoffeecup:

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I'm starting clinicals in Feb. We just have lab until then. I'm going to be in the transitional care unit. Anyone have any experience with this? This is my first semester of nursing school.

I'm excited, but scared! ;)

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Specializes in OR Internship starting in Jan!!.

I know that I'm going to be very nervous when clinicals start. Thanks for sharing this thread :)

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Specializes in ICU, PACU, Cath Lab.
I'm starting clinicals in Feb. We just have lab until then. I'm going to be in the transitional care unit. Anyone have any experience with this? This is my first semester of nursing school.

I'm excited, but scared! ;)

When I did transitional care it was fine...one step up from a nursing home...the patients we had were on IV antibiotics or had wounds that needed to be cared for in a hospital..most patients were to sick to go back to a LTC or could not manage at home by themselves just yet!! We got the BEST wounds on our unit!!! GL!!!

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