Holy Heck I am SOOO scared!

[Guest233447]

So. I'm a Canadian LPN student (our program is 2 years).

Today was my first day of clinical. We toured the hospital and did a bunch of "housekeeping" stuff regarding assignments that are due over the course of clinical, etc, etc.

Tomorrow, a bit more of the same, plus orientation to the unit.

Wednesday, the "real deal". Patient assignment - one person I will be taking care of completely for the next 4 (working) days.

I am so bloody scared. I am the student that gets "A's" on all my tests - throw me a book and I know exactly what to do with it.

I chose nursing because I like people, and I want to be able to help and make a difference for them, even if only one day of their life in some small way.

But I don't have a bloody clue what I'm going to do, or say when I walk in there. I don't know if my client is going to be able to speak, or hear, or see, or whatever. I don't know if they're going to like me, or smell my fear.

I need some advice from any of you out there who've been in this situation before - what did you do? What do you say? I think maybe some day I'll look back and laugh at myself regarding how petrified I am right now, but honestly the last two nights have been filled with nightmares about being told I just don't cut it as a nurse and getting kicked out of the program so clearly, I have some serious trepidation here.

Help?

[loriangel14, RN]

Yes you will look back on this and wonder what on earth you were so worried about. It is nerve wracking. Smile, introduce yourself and remember the patient will not bite. You will feel like a babbling idiot, but it does get better.Ask your patient questions, be patient and listen. I remember how difficult walking in that first time was, talking to a complete stranger.The first time I had to ask a patient if his bowels had moved I almost died! I find most people are pretty good if you have identified yourself as a student.

I always had the jitters at the beginning each new clinical and about the time you start to get comfortable the placement is over.

Best of luck and remember to get a good nights sleep, eat breakfast and be there on time if not early.

[Lorrie34]

Your personality won't always mesh with every patient's. THAT'S OKAY. They don't have to love you, they just have to be willing to let you help them while you are assigned to them. Just be yourself and enjoy meeting the new people. Try not to forget that when an otherwise pleasant person is in pain, they can easily hate then entire world and become a nightmare patient. Just smile and do your best to make them comfortable for the 6-8 hours you have to deal with them. You will do fine. Most of us nurses are caring, happy, friendly people...why wouldn't our patients like us--we give them their pain pills :)

[baylay]

Now I can easily say "don't be scared." But looking back 4 years ago when I first started my clinicals, I was scared to death!! I had no medical experience at all. Other's were CNA's and had experience. I didn't even know how to work the bed. (go in a empty room play around with the bed, rolling it around etc.)

So first off, don't be afraid to ask questions. Sometimes you'll fine a nurse that won't give you the time of day. Then find another. There are always others that are more than willing to help you.

Hopefully your instructor is there to guide you also. Sometimes they are somewhere else and you're on your own. But always, if in doubt, ask someone. And the patients usually don't know your new. But is you're doing a procedure, and your instructor is there, you usually explain your a student and do they mind if you ..... but the patients are usually very nice about it and support you also!

You will gain confidence after each try at whatever you're doing. But as a new experience comes up (foley's, first injection) you'll have those same jitters. But they will pass. Throw yourself in and try to do as much as possible. Don't stand in the back and observe. You learn by doing.

Good luck, you'll do fine!!

[teeniebert, LPN]

Remember that you can come here and talk about whatever is bothering you. We've all been there, done that. I was sweating bullets on my first patient care day! We'll celebrate with you as well--the first time I successfully placed a urinary catheter on a woman, I posted about it as soon as I got home and within an hour several nurses posted saying, 'way to go!' and 'yay!' and, of course, this guy. You can do it!