I feel like such an idiot

[fifi2323]

Hey everyone,

I thought I was somewhat over my obsessive worrying about nursing,but the weekend proved me wrong.

I took my CPR for healthcare providers on Saturday,and thought I would do fine because I took pediatric awhile back (and of course let my certification run out,but I digress)

Everything was going fine,until we get tested on our skills. I freeze and can't remember the order in which I am supposed to do them. The more I try and fail, the more I beat myself up,which totally makes it worse.

At one point, I told the instructor I couldn't do it,and contemplated walking out. I didn't of course,because the class cost eighty-five dollars,but I did start crying. Everyone was understanding,and eventually I passed,but still I wonder if I cant even do CPR how am i going to be at clinicals? I still haven't given up on the idea of obtaining my LPN,but after hearing how tough nursing school is and how hard the teachers are on you,I really wonder if I can do this.

[UM Review RN, ASN, RN]

Yes, you can. I know, because it took me twenty minutes to make my first unoccupied bed.

Now I can handle all kinds of things that I never thought possible.

Give yourself time.

[jmgrn65, RN]

I would not beat myself up about it. I think you were trying too hard and the harder you tried the more nervous you became. :wink2:

[Beary-nice]

Hi there fifi!

You are beating yourself up way too much! I wouldn't let a CPR class be the determining factor of how well I do in nursing school. I would recommend sitting down and taking a look at why you want to do this and then look at what is holding you back and what could you do to change or improve the situation. I was an easy crier at one point in my life, I eventually grew a thicker skin with experience. Believe me, if it came down to a code situation and you were needing to use your CPR skills, the stress of the moment gets to everyone and you remember some things and not others. That is why in a code situation, you holler for help, you have to work as a team, and you have to do the best you can for the patient. Nursing school is tough at times and some instructors can leave little to be desired, but there are instructors who do want to help you acknnowledge your strengths and work on your weaknesses. Keep that in mind and in the meantime, sit down and write those things out on a paper yourself, so that you can begin to work through this. If you want it bad enough, it will happen.

[Nurse Ratched, RN]

In a few years you'll be running through your CPR steps in your sleep. :)

(I cried in trach care lab.)

[prmenrs, RN]

Some people do better if they learn a sequential behavior backwards! Once you have the physical skill down, then you would reverse the order you do it. Or to take each skill one @ a time, then put them together.

When I taught CPR, it seemed like everyone wanted to start pumping before they did anything else. I would consciously slow them down--you wouldn't want to start there--what if his heart is going fine, how will you know, yada, yada....

In the real thing, I believe you will do well. Deep breath--confidence! Act it, even if you don't feel it.

[TazziRN, RN]

Some people just freeze when it comes to tests. Relax, if you're involved in a code you will not be by yourself.

[SillyLilly]

that sounds like a panic attack of a sort!

before you start school or any other stuff, think of doing some soul searching. some comfidence searching. gain some new insight on yourself and your situtation.

one of my favorite things to do when im in a rut is just get in the car and go for a drive to a book store, or one of those holistic book stores, or some where different. walk around. try some new food. i am always suprised with what i find.

also, never underestimate positive mantras. i tell my self 'i am going to be a good nurse i will be a good nurse' etc...... it sounds funny, but it does help... believe me it took alot for me to start telling myself that.

but at the same time, we beat ourselves up and tell ourselves that we are going to fail ! why is it ok to say that to ourselves, but not to tell ourselves that we can do it!

if you really want to be a nurse or lpn, then the world needs some one like you!!

[GingerSue]

I agree that you are probably just trying too hard

what I did in preparation was to practice on a stuffed teddy bear at home

learn the steps

it's like ABC

Relax

[MarySunshine]

I agree with everyone else. There will be many times you will feel foolish and overwhelmed (Lord knows, I have) but if you perservere you can go on to be a wonderful nurse!

[santhony44, MSN, RN, NP]

Mine was injections. I just didn't think I could ever poke a needle into someone else.

In school we had to give each other SQ saline. My instructor had to bump my elbow to get me to move with the needle!

In clinicals, the instructors knew that when a patient needed an injection, most of my classmates were jumping up and down "Me, pick ME!" and I was hiding in the linen closet. They hunted me down!

Of course I learned, but injections still aren't my favorite things to do even after 24 years!

You got through the CPR and you can get through nursing school, if you are determined. If it's what you really want to do, you can do it. And try not to worry ahead of time- take one thing at a time, one new skill at a time. You can do it!

[Sistermoon]

Sounds like you just lacked confidence in your brand new skill set, and didn't want to kill your "patient" with the wrong technique. You can develop confidence with increasing experience. On the other hand, you have demonstrated that you care, and you want to do things the right way, and don't like taking chances if you don't know exactly how to do something. Hope you're my nurse someday when I need one.