How do I stop being so nervous esp during post-conference for clinicals?

Clynn21 · Sep 22, 2011

First try and figure out what makes you nervous. Is it the teacher, is it fear of not knowing everything? There is plenty of time during your shift to sit and write yourself a mini "report". I use a small spiral notebook that is pocket sized. All the instructor and the group want to know when you first start school is a little bit about why the patient came in, what procedures (if any) they are having to help with their problem or diagnose it. Instructors love when you describe what your care meant to the patient and what it meant to you. I don't know what topics you are covering in class but try and connect them with what you are doing in clinical. It is pretty hard to fail clinical unless you really have no clue what you are doing. So try not to stress and try to have fun with it, and learn as much as you can. Hope this helps

yuzzamatuzz · Sep 22, 2011

You sound a lot like me when I first started clinicals. Ive always been really shy, and in a nursing setting that can seem like a huge barrier to overcome. I used to get so nervous, stutter and everything, when I was at the hospital in my first clinical. It wasn't until the end of the semester that I began to feel even remotely comfortable. I stuck with it, and my second med/surg clinical was not as bad. And as I got to know the routine of both nursing and the floor in general I began to feel more comfortable. Then I did my psych clinical and at some point during that I realized that even though I don't talk very much, I am great at listening! Psych nursing wasnt for me but it made me realize that being shy is part of who I am and that I can actually use my quietness to be a good nurse. You will be amazed to find how therapeutic it is to simply acknowledge a patient's worries/concerns/struggles, and then let them do the talking or just stay and be with them. As for post-conference, the more you prepare before clinical the more confident you will be. I like the nurse's comment above about writing a short summary for yourself ahead of time during the shift. I'm a new grad, and whenever I give report I do that because it keeps me organized and I can give a much more succinct report. I totally understand what you are going through. If you love nursing, and your shyness is the only thing getting in the way, then I promise you will get through it. PS., all the girls in your clinical group are probably so nervous right now too, even if they aren't showing it.

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Sep 22, 2011

It is a lack of confidence and that will come with time. I remember feeling the same way. Once I got confident in nursing school I had to start all over with those feelings when I started working.

That said, I would try to either highlight the info you might be called upon to discuss, or make notes PRIOR to the post conference. It might help to ask the instructor or another nurse things like "I believe this is a priority for the patient. Do you agree?" or "I think this lab value is important because---Do you agree?" That might stimulate conversations to help you focus on data that supports your nursing judgment.

SweetseRN · Sep 22, 2011

Oh, I feel your pain! I was nervous all through clinicals and I am still nervous to a lesser extent now that I am working. But my patients respond well to me and even though I am new, they tell me all the time that I am a great nurse. It is ok to be anxious, in my experience it means you care a lot and that you just really want to do the right thing. You just can't let it cripple you. Try to accept yourself as you are, there is nothing wrong with being nervous, some of us are just wound a little tighter than others. Try some breathing exercises and remember, if there are 9 people in your group probably only 1 or two are even listening to you, the others are just trying to figure out what they are going to say next. You can do it! You will still be a kick a$$ nurse. Good luck.