How do you stay sane during nursing school when you've failed a check off and you have to

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Hello, I'm a Level 1 nursing student. There are a total of 4 levels. There are a total of 3 attempts for each skill. I am on my 3 attempt for vital signs. I practice practice practice. When practicing I nail the apical, radial and blood pressure. During testing I'm off. I'm so stressed beyond words. I feel like giving up. It has chipped away at my self esteem. Other experiences?

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Oncology.

Don't give up! Remember how hard you worked to get here. I felt the same anxiety regarding my blood pressure sign offs. I knew exactly how to do it, but I couldn't seem to get the clinical skill down. I couldn't find the brachial pulse, I couldn't hear anything etc. I kept practicing, I went to the school skills lab, and I used as many online resources I could. Eventually I got it and got my sign off. What is the specific problem you're having with vitals?

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You let yourself be upset for a little while (seriously. a very very small amount of time.) and then you shake it off and conquer it. Skills check offs are intimidating no matter how confident you are. They're rough but we all get through them. When you're testing, start with the easy stuff first, such as the brachial pulse, and go from there. You have to let yourself remain calm and focus on the task at hand. If you go in with the attitude of "I've already failed this, I'm gonna fail it again" then guess what will happen?

Confidence is key! You can do this!

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Don't give up! Remember how hard you worked to get here. I felt the same anxiety regarding my blood pressure sign offs. I knew exactly how to do it, but I couldn't seem to get the clinical skill down. I couldn't find the brachial pulse, I couldn't hear anything etc. I kept practicing, I went to the school skills lab, and I used as many online resources I could. Eventually I got it and got my sign off. What is the specific problem you're having with vitals?

Thank you for the encouragement!! I nail the vital signs during practice. My blood pressure and apical is off by several digits.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
You let yourself be upset for a little while (seriously. a very very small amount of time.) and then you shake it off and conquer it. Skills check offs are intimidating no matter how confident you are. They're rough but we all get through them. When you're testing, start with the easy stuff first, such as the brachial pulse, and go from there. You have to let yourself remain calm and focus on the task at hand. If you go in with the attitude of "I've already failed this, I'm gonna fail it again" then guess what will happen?

Confidence is key! You can do this!

Thank you for the pick me upper! When my partner took my radial pulse it was 120. I need to find something to relax me. I check off again on Tuesday.

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It sounds like you have a really bad case of test anxiety when it comes to practical exams (many do). If possible, find something to help you relax prior to doing your next attempt (non-pharmaceutical). I remember flubbing up my last CPE with a bunch of self corrects that allowed me to pass (I don't see how self correction would be possible with a vital sign reading though) and drove home in my care literally wheezing from the stress. I knew it inside and out but the minute the instructor was there to check me off, brain blunder. I felt like a CVA patient with dysphasia. I new what I wanted to say be could find the darn words to spit out. Does you school offer free tutoring? Maybe practice with an instructor using the doubt stethoscope? The quality of those things are crud compared to some of the better quality stethoscopes out there so it's important to be able to hear it with the same type of equipment that you will be tested with during your exam. Also, practicing with an instructor my decrease your anxiety for the next time you do it for a grade.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
It sounds like you have a really bad case of test anxiety when it comes to practical exams (many do). If possible, find something to help you relax prior to doing your next attempt (non-pharmaceutical). I remember flubbing up my last CPE with a bunch of self corrects that allowed me to pass (I don't see how self correction would be possible with a vital sign reading though) and drove home in my care literally wheezing from the stress. I knew it inside and out but the minute the instructor was there to check me off, brain blunder. I felt like a CVA patient with dysphasia. I new what I wanted to say be could find the darn words to spit out. Does you school offer free tutoring? Maybe practice with an instructor using the doubt stethoscope? The quality of those things are crud compared to some of the better quality stethoscopes out there so it's important to be able to hear it with the same type of equipment that you will be tested with during your exam. Also, practicing with an instructor my decrease your anxiety for the next time you do it for a grade.

Thanks for your advise. When taking a physical exam I don't have anxiety during these check offs my heart rate is at least 120.

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I passed! Thanks for advice.

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