How to build confidence as a student nurse?

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Basically what the post title says... I find that I am constantly self doubting. I am good in the classroom but when it comes to clinicals I just feel SO out of place and like I'm bugging everyone in the hospital. I go in and assess my patient, chat with them for a while then leave them to be with family or whoever is in the room. When I leave the room I have no idea what to do and all the nurses are so busy so I'm worried I'm in the way. I'm in my first semester so there isn't a whole lot I can do when I ask to help them. At this point I fear going to clinical because I just feel SO insecure and not confident at all in what I'm doing. I assume this is normal for only having just started clinical? Does anyone have any advice to help build self confidence while in the hospital setting?

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At this point, I'd say just practice your skills in lab as much as you can. The more you practice, the more confidence you'll have in yourself and that will translate to your clinical. :) And don't be afraid to ask questions! I'm first semester too, and the nurses were ALL in your shoes before. Find a nurse (or your instructor) and just ask! Keep up the practice, you'll only get better and more confident. :)

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I am also first semester. My clinical instructor has us answering all call lights we see. I have found that helps tremendously because you are exposed to a lot of patients and it helped me to get over my nervousness. Even if it is something I can not personally help with, at least I can go find their nurse to get them what they need. Also, I have found that patient's love us at our hospital because student nurse's are able to spend more time with them than the RN's.

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I answer call lights, ask my co-assigned nurse (nurse my patient is assigned to) if she needs help with any other patients. I'll do anything, literally, even clean up spills/rooms /bathroom, etc.

During my first semester during our time at LTC I followed the LPN while she did her med rounds. She showed me her methods/process and talked to me about some interesting meds she gives. Doing that is what actually led to my first SubQ injection.

Also while at LTC my cohort, without prompting, got into the habit of passing put trays and feeding patients for breakfast and lunch. Aides loved it.

Ask your nurse if she could call you for any procedures to observe, however mundane. I had a nurse first semester where I basically followed her the entire shift outside of caring for my patient.

Today (OB, 2nd semester) I helped the aide take 12pm vitals on all the patients she needed. We were on post partum so I took moms vitals while she did baby's.

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Thank you all so much! This was very helpful! I will definitely be trying all this out next week. Todays clinical experience was much better than yesterday, I felt much more comfortable so lets hope all these tips keep me feeling good!

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I was the same exact way during my first semester. By my last semester, I was much more confident in clinical! You'll get there!!

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Don't feel bad I'm in your shoes too..I'm in my first semester.Do great in classes but am so not confident in my skills during clinicals no matter how much i practice in lab. I think it's just a time thing and no matter how great we want to be it is going to just be something that we get better at with time and practice..So I guess my best advice is to be patient, keep practicing and don't be too hard on yourself. I always had a tendency to beat myself up for not being perfect or the best at things. With nursing you are never going to be perfect and I think when you can accept that and just do the best you can at the time it will help to relieve some anxiety. Trust me you're not alone. I go into clinicals every day and wonder "oh god am I going to mess something up today or get in someone's way or what if I don't do something the right way" I'm learning to change my frame of mind and try to tell myself "ok how much ass are you gonna kick today" Just do your best. It's all you can ask for and remember we only get better with time and experience under the belt

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