Having A Nursing School Freak Out!

Published

hi everyone!

hopefully some of you can relate to me, or offer some advice, because i sure as heck dont know what to do!

im nearing the end of a 16 month LPN program (3 months to go) and of all the times to go absolutely batty its now. i really dont feel like i know as much as i should. there are times in clinical when there is a discussion going on in regards to a disease process, body system, treatment (dicussion and the actual treatment itself)... i dont know, whatever... and i am just sitting there thinking "huh?". im really scared because i dont want to be an incompetent nurse. its easy for me to pass exams and tests (i mean i made it this far!!!!!!!!!!!) but sometimes clinicals really get the best of me and i question myself. i had no prior medical expierience so i need to see certain treatments over and over again to really feel comfortable. and then full body assessments and wounds i am just in the dark. i swear, my heart is beating out of my chest when i have to do a full body assessment and its such a simple task! i dont know what it is. i just havent developed a system and its really bogging me down. i really wanted to just sit in on my instructor doing the assessment, but we have so many students in our class and are so busy with tx's and meds. i can do them, but im not always 100% with it. did any of you every feel this way when you were in school? some nurses have told me you gain a lot of expierience in the field once you start working... but i dont want to be useless!

also... if any of you wonderful nurses have advice for me as far as full body assessments and wound care go, i would appriciate it. books, systems, whatever... any advice would be a great help to me.

thank you everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :wink2:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

When you get a doctor in the room and all of those nurses start jabbering, I don't know how anyone could hear themselves think sometimes! I can relate, and I'm sure loads of other people can.

In nursing school, you should learn the BASIC fundamentals of nursing and human body. Here are some resources that I hope help you out. And if you have any questions I can answer directly, please feel free to ask them!

http://www.rtstudents.com/lpnstudents/lpn-anatomy.htm (HIGHLY recommend)

http://lpncentral.com/reference.html

http://www.anatomy-resources.com/

As for assessment goes, there are a LOAD of threads about that on the forums. Do a little peeking around.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU/ER.

By the time you hit your last semester of nursing school you realize you really dont know much at all. Reality hits in that "oh crap soon I need to be responsible and I will have to actually keep people alive"

That is a very normal feeling. Nursing if you ask me really is an on the job training job. Nursing school just makes sure you know the basics and are somewhat intelligent to be able to actually handle/learn and work in the real world.

I have learned more in my 7mos as a nurse than I learned in 4 years of school. But funny thing is, I have yet to write an actual APA paper as a nurse!! That I could do with ease upon graduation from nursing school!!

Focus on getting through your last semester and boards. You will be fine. If you were not worried there would be a problem.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

Wound Care Made Incredibly Easy has great pictures. You are a student, and you are learning...this is all new to everyone in the class. It may be true that some are picking up quicker than others, but each person has their own pace. And, we all feel like we walked into the jungle when we first work as a new grad. And, guess what? If you change specialties, you'll feel like that yet, again.

I started as a clinic nurse (and still remain one), but have had side jobs in home care, and as a vaccination nurse. As a new grad, I did just six weeks on med-surg and it scared me so bad that I was glad to not have to return. Then, I decided to go back to med-surg per diem on alternate weekends. My hospital will not pay overtime for an employee that works in a different department, but what they did was give me a two day orientation to med-surg. I was scared to death, because it was different than the clinic. However, Saturday was my first day working independently, and it was actually a smooth day. I was more organized than I thought, and the RNs I worked with told me that I did good time in regards to medicating 12 patients with several IV bags and unfamilar meds. They saw that I wanted to learn and showed me everything that they could. I faced that fear and now, I can't wait to go back next Saturday to wow them again.

It is just getting over humps...we all have to do it. You'll be fine!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

Focus on getting through your last semester and boards. You will be fine. If you were not worried there would be a problem.

Now, ain't THAT the truth! Those that walk away too cocky are unsafe. It is better to ask intelligent questions than to go on a whim.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Detox, Tele.

Yeah...I've done 2 days of orientation and it really hits me that...wow, I'm no longer a student...I'm a professional...geez, and it scares me...but I know that I NEED to ask questions, and if I didn't...I'd be worried about my own knowledge...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

NURSING IS AN ONGOING LEARNING PROCESS........'NUFF SAID. :bugeyes:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

This is a GREAT post. I am in RN school, but have felt the same way. Will be out in less then a year and it's like EEEEEEEEEE...... I wil be doing this for real soon! I am a bit scared too. Thanks for the tips! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in L&D, QI, Public Health.

I have felt the same exact way the OP felt. Not only did I not have a clinical background prior to nursing school. I never really had anyone living with me to pratice with.

I would suggest picking up extra clinical lab hours, maybe work as a tech these last two months and just lean on a couple of trusted classmates who are willing to teach you what they know.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

THANK YOU EVERYONE!!! FOR SOME REASON I AM NOT ABLE TO THANK ANYONE INDIVIDUALLY... SO THANK YOU!! its a relief to know that other people have felt the same way that i do now. i hope one day the sweaty palms and racing heart go away!

pagandeva-- i saw that wound care book not that long ago! your right, great pictures. i definitely plan on buying it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in none.

:wink2: You are feeling exactly what SO many people feel. I think that's pretty normal. I agree with pagandeva, if you are too confident & cocky, that's dangerous. Asking questions when you are not sure and being cautious makes a safe nurse.

You need to focus on getting through school, then boards. I wish I could tell you that the stress gets better & it may for you. Boards wiped me out!! Anyway, stay positive, and keep your chin up. I was like you and had no clinical experience except what I got in school. It will get easier with experience. Sounds like you will be a very caring nurse....:)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PACU.

When I was in school (like you, to become an LPN) I was often quite nervous and felt like I had no clue what I was doing. My clinical instructors, however, assured me that I was doing fine. I guess I was, but the level of responsibility we have is enormous. I felt the same way when I started working, but now I am quite comfortable unless something really unusual occurs. I am sure that I will feel a similar level of apprehension when I begin my clinicals this fall to become an RN, and then every time I change jobs and settings. I believe it's normal, and probably healthy, to feel uneasy each time we switch settings.

Just relax and focus on doing things right and you should get more comfortable as you go on. :nuke:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion