hospital clinicals - does it get better?

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Hello, I am actually looking for some inspirational advice and / or support. I am a first year nursing student in a part time program. The program (LCC) is a great program, so I know that it is not the program. Last week was my first week in hospital clinicals. It did not go very well for me at all. I guess what I am looking for is some guidance as to if this will change. I was scared. I have never worked in a hospital, have worked in assisted living and with closed head injuries. Does it get easier. I left clinicals in tears both nights. After the first night I realized that I don't know an eighth of what I thought I did. I listened to report between two nureses and became very overwhelmed:chair: . Is this normal, or is it me? If anyone can give me advice, please do. At this point I have contemplated if this is for me. I love helping others, the human body fascinates me, and I like to make others smile.:)

Thank you Tonia

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Hello, I am actually looking for some inspirational advice and / or support. I am a first year nursing student in a part time program. The program (LCC) is a great program, so I know that it is not the program. Last week was my first week in hospital clinicals. It did not go very well for me at all. I guess what I am looking for is some guidance as to if this will change. I was scared. I have never worked in a hospital, have worked in assisted living and with closed head injuries. Does it get easier. I left clinicals in tears both nights. After the first night I realized that I don't know an eighth of what I thought I did. I listened to report between two nureses and became very overwhelmed:chair: . Is this normal, or is it me? If anyone can give me advice, please do. At this point I have contemplated if this is for me. I love helping others, the human body fascinates me, and I like to make others smile.:)

Thank you Tonia

Hi, Tonia,

I am in my 3rd quarter of a 7 quarter program. Yes, it gets better! The first quarter, I thought after every clinical, "What on earth am I doing?" I dreaded the day.

2nd quarter I didn't dread so much, but still felt like an incompetent boob.

Now it's 3rd quarter, and I see progress in how I understand what is going on. I wouldn't say that I'm competent, but I am beginning to understand the importance of patient assessment, critical thinking, etc. It's not just hollow words from clinical instructors.

Hang in there! It gets better!

Oldiebutgoodie

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:) Toniajo, I am writing to offer you encouragement and strength. I have been a nurse for 4 years, and still consider myself a "new" nurse. Before becoming a nurse I had no experience in the medical field whatsoever. I was 24 years old, single mother due to my divorce. There was one constant in my life, and that was my desire to do something that would make a difference....I don't know if I chose nursing school or if nursing school chose me....either way it was one of the most exciting, meaningful, tiresome, hair-raising experiences of my life. There were many times that I left my clinicals in tears, vowing to never return. The thing that got me through was finding a mentor in the clinical setting. Seasoned nurses have so much knowledge, experience, and expertise to share that as students it is almost essential to absorb all that you can from them. As you gain confidence in yourself, in your skills, in your critical thinking, then nursing will become easier, but still expect there to be challenges. Everyday you should strive to master one more skill, wether it be technical or knowledge based. I have heard time and time again that, seasoned nurses "eat their young." Let me tell you, that is not always true. There are many knowledgable nurses out there, that want nothing more than to share their experience and knowledge with the new grads or nursing students. All you have to do is be willing to accept it and run with it, use it as a building block for all the experiences yet to come your way in your nursing career. Hang in there, ask questions, questions, questions....and don't be afraid to try any new experience that you can. You will do fine, if nursing is truly what you want to do...Have FAITH!!!!!:)

Hello, I am actually looking for some inspirational advice and / or support. I am a first year nursing student in a part time program. The program (LCC) is a great program, so I know that it is not the program. Last week was my first week in hospital clinicals. It did not go very well for me at all. I guess what I am looking for is some guidance as to if this will change. I was scared. I have never worked in a hospital, have worked in assisted living and with closed head injuries. Does it get easier. I left clinicals in tears both nights. After the first night I realized that I don't know an eighth of what I thought I did. I listened to report between two nureses and became very overwhelmed:chair: . Is this normal, or is it me? If anyone can give me advice, please do. At this point I have contemplated if this is for me. I love helping others, the human body fascinates me, and I like to make others smile.:)

Thank you Tonia

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Thank you both for your support and encouragement. I just finished another week of clinicals, and it went much smoother. And I am asking questions, questions, questions.

Tonia

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Thank you both for your support and encouragement. I just finished another week of clinicals, and it went much smoother. And I am asking questions, questions, questions.

Tonia

I'm glad it went better. I tell ya, there are good weeks and bad weeks. Amazingly, I am starting to understand what they are saying in report! You will, too!

So, have a good weekend, and try not to worry. Every beginning student feels like this.

Cheers,

Oldiebutgoodie

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Specializes in medical/telemetry/IR.

Yes of course it will get better. Its very rewarding. Sometimes you can actually help someone. Its very tiring. but it will get better. I reemember my clinicals I was sooooooooooo scared. The trach pts scared me the most, now they don't bother me. They are just gross now.

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Specializes in ER.
2nd quarter I didn't dread so much, but still felt like an incompetent boob.

:chuckle Yeah, that about sums it up!

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