First Clinical Fear

Dionysus · Feb 25, 2003

The best advice that I got actually came from one of the patients, a former nurse herself... Anyway's, she told me, "Ask questions, ask lots of them, and never stop.". Now this doesn't mean be a brat and ask questions just for the sake of it. There will be things that you will see that you may not understand, think about them, and then ask your teacher, the nurses on the unit, and your fellow students. The most important thing is to think about it before you ask. You'll get much more out of your clinical experience by understanding as much as you can about it.

As for calming your nerves, just take a couple deep breaths. Remember, your teacher would not allow you to be there if they thought you were a danger to yourself, or your patients. It's definetely an exciting time to be a nursing student, enjoy your time.

Good Luck!

emily_mom · Feb 25, 2003

Everyone is as scared as you. Take some deep breaths and just....relax! Your instructor isn't going to expect heart surgery out of a first semester student!

Rapheal · Feb 25, 2003

When I was a student I would make a clinical sheet and then make copies. First semester would look something like this.

Pt. initial________ Room#________________

DX_____________ DR_______________ allergies__________

Meds_____________________________________-

Activity________________ Diet______________________

Temp_____________ Apical Pulse___________ Radial_______

Ect, ect................................

Helped me to start my organizational skills. Also remember that some clients (not all, just some) will take advantage of the student. Have had capable patients request help with washing their privates and other nonsense such as a patient with up ad lib status come out of the bathroom naked and start to make conversation with me as he was shaving. Remember BOUNDRIES.

Good luck. I am a new RN and nursing school was not very long ago. Hope all goes well and remember that you are learning.

opalmRN · Feb 25, 2003

Originally posted by Rayrae
Any advice?

Rayrae,

Be aware, Breathe and Believe!

You will do fine. Always remember, you are a student and you are learning.

I'll be thinking of you,

C:kiss

NICU_Nurse, BSN, RN · Feb 25, 2003

This thread might help. ;>)

https://allnurses.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10769

FullMoonMadness · Feb 25, 2003

get a good nights sleep before and know a little about your patient assignment if you get it ahead of time.Then you can think about some of the questions to ask. Relax, we are(were) all brand new to this at some time or other.Good luck.

missionnurse · Feb 25, 2003

Rayrae!

YOu can do this! We all went through it! I had diarrhea the night before every clinical my first rotation!

You WILL make it!

My best advise would be to remember what you have posted in your own profile! :rolleyes:

Cast you cares upon Him for He cares for you!

The world today needs nurses--good ones who have the best Doctor behind them! And it sounds to me like you have the only Doctor who knows everything about everyone of your patients! :wink2:

Trust Him to carry you through! You'll make it, and if you work hard and let the Father guide you--you'll even be good at it!!!

And stick around here and we'll celbrate with you!!!

:kiss

KatieBelle · Feb 25, 2003

WOHOO! I was there 3 weeks ago. Let me tell ya. Keep your head up and be confident. I felt lost the first day and that I really didn't know what to do. Alot of the patients just enjoy it if you just talk to them. And you might want to watch the nurse above you. I asked her if I could just follow her around and observe her. She let me and I think I learned so much and saw what it was to be a nurse. Good luck to you!

Dionysus · Feb 25, 2003

Cast you cares upon Him for He cares for you!

Trust Him to carry you through! You'll make it, and if you work hard and let the Father guide you--you'll even be good at it!!!

I also thought that this quote, posted by deespoohbear in the 'positive mantra's' thread was appropriate.

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.

perfectbluebuildings, BSN, RN · Feb 25, 2003

Thanks to all you guys! You have given me a little more confidence and courage! And that other thread helped a lot- thanks Kristi2377!! I'll let you all know how it goes next week. I am new to this website but you all are so awesome :cool: , I'm glad I found this place!!

essarge · Feb 26, 2003

When I first started clincals (seems like eons ago!) I would get my patient assignment, read everything I could in the chart (history, meds treatments etc) then I would make a timetable for myself that went something like this.

8-vitals/meds

830-breakfast

9-complete bedbath

10-meds

10-11 help other students and keep an eye on my patient

1100 lunch

12-vitals

1230-post conference

100 GO HOME!

There were times that I had to adjust it but it helped immensely with prioritizing things. Hope this helps.