OK lets get down and dirty...

[mafiamom]

all you nurses who are in clinicals - and have never had any patient contact EXCEPT what you experienced in class, where you prepared?

my fear is that i will go thru all this training and get out there in the hospital and be like - ummmmm oh my GOD!!!! did you feel prepared? comfortable?(relatively, at least)?

in short does nursing school prepare you for the real world?

if you would please add where you are currently attending that would be great!

tia!

[angelinab]

Our lab instructor stressed to us that they are just teaching us the bare basics of nursing. As you all know, there is soooooo much to know, and it continues to grow each day. After you graduate and get that first job, you will learn even more. They have orientation periods for a reason, I know that the ED I work in as a clerk requires the RNs to have 6mos orientation. Everyone is nervous after graduation, and the learning never stops.

[militaryspouse98]

Hello, well I am in my third semester and have had alot of meds experience so far but havent had the opportunity to put in a catheter, IV, ect.. I am afraid I will forget how to if I dont get the chance. I told my instructor this semester that alot of us havent had the chance and she said she would put us in a outpatient surgery for a day and that will give us a chance to put in some IVs.. I guess you just have to ask to do stuff if you want to learn it..

there are things though that my clinicals instructors have never seen so its always a learning experience..

[PedsNurse322]

I start training tomorrow for a nurse tech position - I want the experience and learning opportunities. I am hoping that I will learn some things that I haven't yet in clinical, and get to use those skills. Plus, it will be a great way to keep my already-learned skills fresh during summer break :-)

[aerorunner80, ADN, BSN, MSN, APRN]

I can only comment so far on this. I have taken my CNA course,which is require for our program and this is what I got from it.

In class: you learn the textbook way of doing things and the instructors emphasize this to death (OMG a crease in the draw sheet and you didn't miter your corners??????!!! You fail!! Don't ever move that Foley bag.)

In clinicals: you try to do everything textbook because you want a good grade but you learn tips and tricks from those more expierenced ( OK, a crease in the sheet, no big deal but remember to put those reusable/washable chux that they didn't teach you about in class down because that is what you use to boost your pt up in bed. Keep that Foley bag below the bladder at all times no matter what!)

In the real world: you relearn how to do things the quick, efficient, and safe way. (Mitered corners, draw sheets completely tucked in? What's the use? Leave them untucked so you can quickly grab them when you need to boost someone up. Keeping Foley bags below the bladder......can't do that if you are going to turn them........put them on the bed when the pt is turned then put them back when you are done so you don't pull the Foley out....OUCH!)

[Nili927]

I have been having anxiety attacks over this question as I get closer to graduation..I thought I was the only one... I'm really ready to get out of school and start working but I'm so scared at the same time that I will be pushed out on my own and not know what I'm doing...I just pray and hope to find a place to work that will teach and not just set me loose...glad I'm not the only one with this fear. :thankya:

I can definately relate! I'm on my 4th out of 5 semester and I have anxiety all the time about graduation getting near.... I'm glad I'm not the only one!