Holy Heck I am SOOO scared!

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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? :o

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Specializes in Medical-surgical.

I can see where the simplicity of the following statements might lead to the perception I'm being glib. This is not the case. In no particular order, except the last is the most important. Disclaimer, this is based on my previous experience as a student nurse in the U.S.

1) Prepare as best you can. That is, read ahead in your skills book; take your lab work seriously. If you can, spend time learning about the medical interventions associated with your floor.

2) Maintain perspective. A lot of other folks with various combinations of intellect and ability - some similar to yours - have successfully negotiated this path ahead of you.

3) Have faith in your training. There's a reason the curriculum is well established - it works.

4) Cooperate and graduate; work with your classmates in a collaborative manner - watch out for each other.

5) Above all, look, listen and learn. You'll be able to catch on a lot just by paying attention to what is going on around you.

Good luck!

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Specializes in LTC, Acute care.

First advice: Be positive. Stop all the negative thinking and focus on the now.

Second advice: You'll be fine because what's in your heart, your passion will show and as time goes by you will get the hang of things.

My fear prior to my first clinical was that I was deathly afraid of hospitals and during orientation when everyone was asked what they were afraid would hold them back, I said I was afraid to go into the hospital. Period! I'm sure it sounded crazy cos here I was in nursing school yet afraid of hospitals but during my first clinical day, I toured the floor and made sure I knew where everything was and all that and I saw that all the nurses and techs were doing just fine, I knew that this was doable. That was 18months ago, now I'm in my last semester about to graduate. You can do it, don't let any fears hold you back!! :)

P.S: Knock, enter a patient's room,introduce yourself and let them know what you'll be doing for them. In all four semesters I never met a patient who wasn't excited for me being in nursing and having an encouraging word or two. Sometimes they even initiate conversations and you'll be the one trying to end it and extricate yourself,lol. You'll do fine.

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You will be fine! I remember my first day (I'm about to graduate) and I was terrified!!! After giving us the tour on our orientation day, our professor told us to go introduce ourselves to a patient. I was shaking and so nervous. I went in and after mustering up all my courage, I began to speak to the patient. After getting no response from him, his daughter turned to me and snapped "He's deaf! Duh!" Oops! Haha! Anyway, communicating with your patients gets much easier in time. As soon as I got over that hurdle, my clinical experience was a lot easier.

The best advice I can give is don't be shy! You are there to help them so do what you need to do in order to accomplish that.

Good luck! :D

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Specializes in Gastro, ICU - US nurse moved to UK.

You sound like I did when I was in my first clinical!

Just like others have said, start with the positive self-talk now "I can do this!" Practice what you are going to say to your patient, even the simple stuff. "Good morning, my name is xxx, and I will be the student nurse caring for your today." "What name do you go by? Do you prefer 'Jim' or 'James'" ect...

I started out feeling like you did, and I've been an RN for 2 years now, and I have my own student to precept :) It will get easier.

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Specializes in Med Surg.

just remember the pts are expecting you. while this is out of the ordinary for you, for them, you are just another person there to take care of them. they are used to being poked, proded, and exposed so have confidence and even if u dont, pretend to have confidence (fake it til you make it). you're right, in very little time you'll be looking back at this and laughing at ur apprehension..it really is unnecessary you'll see!

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No worries! Clinicals is the easy part. Form a trusting relationship with your patient (hide your shaky hands) and the sky is the limits. Utilize your resources, your fellow students, instructors and the staff at your clinical site will help you if you get into a jam. Even though I have a lot to learn, I always talk to the patient as if I know exactly what I am doing and how I'm gonna do it! I watched people do caths, PICC lines, etc. to make me feel more comfortable wiht the procedures. Soon all of these cares/procedures will be business as usual to us newbie students.

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.

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 usually start with "Hello!".

I'm not being sarcastic. I'm serious. Just take a deep breath, relax your shoulders, put a smile on your face, walk in the door, and start with "Hello".

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Thanks everyone!

I went in and after mustering up all my courage, I began to speak to the patient. After getting no response from him, his daughter turned to me and snapped "He's deaf! Duh!" Oops! Haha!

That, right there, is my fear! LOL. I can laugh at myself, so hopefully I'll think it's funny and carry on if I make a goof similar.

So glad that I found this board - it has been so helpful, and I've already learned a lot. Excited to become a "real" nurse!

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I got my patient assignment today. I was hoping for a "nice little old lady," but was assigned to a 41 year old man who has been an spastic quad with limited right arm mobility for nearly 20 years (car accident). He's aphasic, but apparently friendly with a good sense of humor, though can be "inappropriate" with female staff. Cognitively apparently he's pretty much average.

What a way to start! LOL. I guess if I can jump in the water with him, I can do anything!

Do you have any tips on speaking with someone who is aphasic? I've been told he has a chart and can use this to communicate.

I am afraid I'll blather on. I wonder if his chart has a "shut up" symbol? ;)

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Specializes in NICU.

Your patient sounds like a great learning experience!

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