Good at theory/Bad at skills?!

[givxnchy]

Hey everyone! Recently I made a vent post about my clinicals mentioning that I was very good at theory and clumsy when it was time to perform skills.

I had 90% on the last exam when the average was 67 and I didn't find the exam that hard, but I need SO MUCH practice before being confortable performing skills it's crazy. For example, last year we were learning how to prepare an injection in group (all at the same time, in a circle in the lab). Others were going so fast and it seemed so easy for them and there I was, all clumsy dropping the vial and desperately trying to get one air bubble out. Luckily, our teacher gave us some material so we could practice at home. I practiced a lot and finally, I am good at it now.

Anyway, I was wondering if any of you were like me? or the opposite : really good with skills but struggling with theory? And how did you finally got good? :)

[dboatwright8498]

Take your time and don't compare yourself to others. Speed is not the key right now. Make a routine of how the skill should be performed and stick with that routine. It will become second nature the more you perform that skill.

[Purple_roses]

Remember that your grade is not based on how fast you give that injection. Your instructor isn't timing you. Your instructor is looking to see that you're hygienic, that you're observing the rights of medication administration, that you know which needles and syringes to use, and that you use the proper technique. This goes for every single skill.

I take a long time with certain skills as well. Remember when you first learned how to drive? I remember being afraid to go over 40 mph; I would go about 35-38, because pushing 40 just seemed so fast. That's what clinical is right now. We're learning. Some people might be faster and smoother, but at the end of the day, your driving instructor just wanted you to follow the rules and remain safe. Same thing for clinicals. The main goal is safety and using proper technique. Speed will be important when we're actually nurses, but during this learning phase, it's perfectly all right for us to pause and catch our bearings.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Physical dexterity is a gift, just like natural athleticism or perfect pitch ... that many of us don't possess. You have plenty of company. Keep practicing. You've got this.