getting no clinical experience, worried about real life as an RN

[heart&soul]

Hello,

I moved to Puerto Rico from California for nursing school. I got my Bachelors Degree in Health Science at a good university. I tried to get into accelerated nursing programs right after graduation and took all pre-reqs to apply for nursing school. Got an interview, but didn't get into the school, so took advice from a friend to go to school in Puerto Rico, which the school is accredited and accelerated.

Now i am in my 3rd trimester, taking Adult 2 and Maternity. I have yet to get the good clinical experience that i want. The school system here is very disorganized and very laid back compared to universities in the states. I have not got the best of best teachers here. I've been stuck with professors that want to leave early and do not what students to get the best learning experience possible.

When i actually go the opportunity to do a REAL procedure at the hospital, I found myself being very nervous and scared about performing many of the procedures that i practiced in class. I ended up flaking out because it was such a long time ago when i practiced the actual procedure. Well that was my excuse anyways. I got really mad at myself for not taking the opportunity when i had it, because it was my first OPPORTUNITY to draw blood and start an IV line, and i didn't take it.

Another thing, is that I am in a english program, but the primary language in Puerto Rico, is of course spanish. I find it even difficult to communicate when patients and even more so doing procedures i am nervous about doing.

If anyone has advice on how they feel with having patients who are difficult to communicate with and getting the courage not to be scared and just GO FOR IT, i would really appreciate it.

Thanks!

[labrador4122, RN]

I went to school here in USA and I did not have that practice of skills that you are talking about. I never started an IV on a real person, I never put in a foley, I never put in an NG tube... but I am learning all that as an RN now!

Now I am not scared of giving injections, if it is my first time doing something, I just tell my charge nurse that it is my first time, and she asks me like a teacher... what are you going to do, I tell her, and if I am right , she just says ok go ahead and do it.

It is not so nerve wrecking now because I know I am not going to fail.

oh and the spanish, it is a good thing to learn another language. you should definitely try to learn, and little by little you will.

I would stick to it, pass my nclex-rn exam, and learn spanish. loll

just my two cents here. only you know what it is best for your situation.

[ZionsWrath]

As much as clinical experience is helpful, don't worry about it too much. I used a bed pan for the first time this semester and I am second semester Junior year.

All you need is that diploma and pass the NCLEX, the rest you will get through real life experience. Make sure you apply to hospitals with good orientation and training for new nurses and you will be fine. The hard part is graduating!