Hardest part of nursing school is...

Published

scenarios. Everyone is freaking out about the amount of work and tests/quizes, but I find that all easy. I think scenarios make it hard lol (well for me). It's not that I'm shy. The thing is......I can't talk to mannequins lol I feel ridiculous. We're doing "scenario simulations" on wednesday and im freaking out haha. I can't take a mannequin serious. I can't talk all cheery/caring to one. Plus ontop of all this we're getting video taped and we're all going to watch eachother. How did you guys get through talking to mannequins? What did you all do to make yourself not feel stupid about it? This is like killing me lol.

Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.

I hateddddddddd Sim Lab and having to do these 'skits' on camera, knowing my classmates were watching in the other room... and to add to the mix, we were told they were going to use these films for some seminar/lecture, I don't know... for educational purposes. Well great, way to add "Do I look decent today?" to the anxiety. BUT like other posters have said.. all of your classmates likely feel the exactly same way, which is a comfort. If possible, try to do it with the classmates you feel most comfortable with. Either way, try to make light of the situation... go all out with it, BE FUNNY! It'll be sure to lighten the mood & ease everyone's nerves, including yours, which will in return, allow you to do well in the scenario. *

I remember one classmate coming in the room to introduce themselves to a male mannequin who at last minute changed to be a female (for scenario purposes) with a disheveled wig thrown on top, and saying "Wow, Mrs. X, your hair looks fabulous today!" - the whole group, including our instructor, laughed... it definitely calmed us all. (Of course I wouldn't suggest this with a not-so-nice instructor, I'm sure you can be the judge)... anyway, GOODLUCK! I'm sure you'll do great and just remember, it's only 5-10 min of your life, you can do it! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds Medical Floor.

I had worked in LTC for a while so I was used to working with Alzheimer's patients who don't talk by and just sit there. I talk to them while I take care of them. So I pretend the manikin is one of those residents.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

completing the requirements before graduation.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.
The hardest part for me was after we started clinicals. It was my first realization that nursing school was in its own world with its careplans and NCLEX-type questions. And that the world of nursing school was a big disconnect from reality. Even though I was an older nursing student, I had never worked in the healthcare field.

I was a decent student, but after realizing that lots of what we were being taught would simply not be realistic or even used in the real world, I had a tough time motivating myself to devote alot of time to NANDA diagnoses and careplans. Don't even get me started on NCLEX-type questions and the preparation necessary just to learn how to answer them. I just couldn't see the rationale behind all of that busy...(oops!) paperwork. And I still don't. But it's apparently a necessary evil that nursing students must still endure.

My apologies for having a senior moment in your thread:smokin:

I saw the title of the thread, skimmed your post and (obviously) thought you were asking for everyone's opinion of the hardest part of nursing...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, DSU, Ortho, Onc, Psych.

I think you are worrying yourself about nothing.

You will be in a real life situation one day, and you will have to be the patient's advocate, friend, confider, etc. Really ask yourself: do I want to do this for a living with a real person?

Try to look on these mannequins as real people. It seems hard but once you are thrust into the real world, you need to become more articulate and professional, cos if you are in charge (and there will be situations in the future where you WILL be in charge) you will not forget this practice.

Have a laugh and a practice first b4 the real thing - that will help. And I know this sounds condescending, but we did scenarios with people who didn't take ANY scenarios/clinicals seriously, and they either (a) found nursing very difficult or, (b) dropped out and we never heard from them again.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Operating Room.

LOL the dreaded simulations! Honestly, I don't think anyone in my class enjoys them. We just gotta get in there and do it. I, too, feel awkward talking to mannequins and being on camera. I have no qualms about interacting with patients, I'm a people person, but talking to mannequins is just weird. I will look forward to the day when we are done with them!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
scenarios. Everyone is freaking out about the amount of work and tests/quizes, but I find that all easy. I think scenarios make it hard lol (well for me). It's not that I'm shy. The thing is......I can't talk to mannequins lol I feel ridiculous. We're doing "scenario simulations" on wednesday and im freaking out haha. I can't take a mannequin serious. I can't talk all cheery/caring to one. Plus ontop of all this we're getting video taped and we're all going to watch eachother. How did you guys get through talking to mannequins? What did you all do to make yourself not feel stupid about it? This is like killing me lol.

I don't like the role playing either. Talking to a real patient is different than a doll or your friend. We are in Psych right now and we have to pair up and pretend it's a psych patient. I just can't take it seriously.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

i'm all for the simlabs, but the book stuff where the teachers say "pffft I have nursing central for that" gets to me. Everything feels like a cram for the next day and I've learned the phrase "C's equal Degrees....."

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych, EMS.

The busywork..My program had a ton of APA style research papers..over lame things like the "theory of caring" and "nursing as a profession." I don't mind time-consuming assignments if I actually learn something, like care plans. But with most other assignments...ugh you can't spell busywork without bs.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

staying motivated

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Could not agree more. I get that it's a great learning tool in a safe environment but seriously, I hate being judged. I hate being critiqued. And that's what this is. Ugh... I also almost always forget what I'm supposed to do right before I go into the room. It's like they pump something in the air vents. :uhoh3:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion