I feel very overwhelmed about my clinicals.

[NurseKis, BSN, RN]

Today I had my clinicals and we had to do flu shots. I am the only one in my group that hasn't had any experience. I am also the youngest one. The first day in clinicals we had to do vitals and everyone in my class knew how to do these. i did not. My instructor asked me to do them and I told her I did not know how to do it so she told me to ask one of my classmates to help me. That day went ok.

Today we had to do flu shots. I Have never given a flu shot (or any injection) in my life! I was scared. My professor told us to read over the weekend about it but I forgot, that was my fault and I agree. But I read it while i was on break not once but three times. This professors scares me. I even asked my classmates how to do it and they explained to me but the thing is that EVERYONE IS scared to do anything with her. People are avoiding her and no one wants to do anything with her. Today I started crying because i felt very overwhelmed because I felt that i was doing everything wrong.sHE LOVED To scream at people... She told me that i should go wash my face and that she was not going to put up with drama. and again I get very red and started crying because it just happens! I cannot control it. I could not even breath right and i WAS doing whatever she was telling us to do. i WAS shaking and I felt very scared just by her presence. What should i do about this? I really feel bad. I cannot even breath right now. I just dont know what to do. I want to be able to ask questions.

Is the instructor supposed to show us what to do and then we do it or do we have to everything with her just telling us about it, without demonstration?

[rnmalex]

I remember being afraid to try something new in clinicals. I think I had that apprehension all the way up to landing my 1st job last month. But really, if the teacher asked you to read over injections a weekend ahead of time that is something that should be done. It at least would give you an idea of what to do.

To survive nursing school you have to stay ahead. That's just how it is. But the instructor should provide some sort of demonstration ahead of time and check you off on skills 1st. Search for it on youtube.

[NurseKis, BSN, RN]

the problem is that when we have a question she gets mad and when we are doing the procedure she doesnt like to repeat things twice. I read it after, we werent going to do that early anyway, but i still did not get anything out of reading aside from facts. I learn hands on with a demonstration first.

[itsnowornever, BSN, RN]

If you know how you learn then you should look up videos and make believe at home. Yes, they are there to teach but it is also on you to give yourself a base. For instructors to teach and demonstrate everything nursing school would take twice as long if not more.

[NurseKis, BSN, RN]

What if i tell you this. the other day she asked me to take a pt to the bathroom. she was on the wheelchair and I have never done that before. I told her that and that i was going to ask a CNA to help and she said no, that I had to take her on my own. I went to the dining room got the patient and went to the bathroom w/ her. Until a CNA saw me and said that I was supposed to take the pt with another person. i GOT yelled at because of this woman.

[AgentBeast, MSN, RN]

Doesn't your program have some sort of lab component where you learn how to perform different skills and are then tested performing skills on the plastic practice people before you actually perform these skills on patients in the hospital?

[NurseKis, BSN, RN]

We did not have time to do that. We have been feeding people since the first day, and now she wants to throw all at us. We haven't done injections yet. We are doing them next week.

[CP2013]

You have to read. Ask questions WITH CONFIDENCE. If you sound terrified, they will rip you apart until you can demonstrate your confidence. Is this right? Probably not. But I'd rather develop a thick skin in school now and not when a family member is yelling at me for something.

YOU and only you are responsible for how much you will get out of clinical experience. She is obviously looking to expand your knowledge and teach you. Instead of saying "I don't know how boo hoo" you should say "Okay I will figure it out" and then ask someone with more experience to help you or better yet, say "I think I should do a, b, and then c. Is this an appropriate manner to accomplish this task?" That sounds a lot better than "I haven't done that I don't know"

When I was working as a tech, they told me to clean a patient who had a bowel movement. Took me 10 minutes to figure out the patient had an ostomy. Then it took me another 10 to find SOMETHING to empty it. I did it in an emesis basin. Not appropriate. I went and said, "I emptied the ostomy, but what is the best container to empty them?" and the nurse was like "A graduated cylinder. Why, what did you use?"

We laughed about it, but she appreciated that I had my own INITIATIVE!

Nursing is about critical thinking, problem sailing, and the MINIMUM you can do is read. If you aren't going to have the initiative to do that, it's going to show through in your clinical experience.

Best of luck in your nursing pursuits.

[CP2013]

Doesn't your program have some sort of lab component where you learn how to perform different skills and are then tested performing skills on the plastic practice people before you actually perform these skills on patients in the hospital?

Lab will be beneficial. You will see the hands on portion. If you have open lab hours, perhaps this would be the time to start going and getting your hands on as much information as possible. Your patients deserve a prepared care giver, and you need to always be preparing OP.

Not to sound harsh, your clinical instructor may be a bit out of line, but some of that responsibility falls on you. If they stopped to show you everything until you felt comfortable. Nursing school would be 5 years long. There's no way to get all that information in. Just get out there and get your hands on experience!!!

[NurseKis, BSN, RN]

Thank you for taking your time helping me understand things. I truly appreciate your answer and i will try and read everything before clinicals. Thank you so much! I kind of feel much better now even though I am still scared to facing her next monday. :) Thank you!

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

First ....you need to take responsibility for your own education.

My professor told us to read over the weekend about it but I forgot

Showing up for clinical unprepared is not acceptable. Taking initiative for yourself is a part of the process. Nursing school does not spoon feed their students. I know that sounds harsh....but it is the truth. Nursing is a profession that is all about responsibility, preparation and truthfulness. If you want to be successful you need to take the responsibility serious and act accordingly......do your assignments and prepare for class. No one but you can do this. Dealing with humanity can be harsh....you need to develop a thicker skin and a deeper resolve/commitment to school. You can do better.

That begin said....your CI should be acting in a professional manner. Yelling is not professional demeanor from your professor. You say you haven't had any lab component before clinical? That you haven't had any lab instruction to ensure competency before performing at a clinical site is concerning and that your CI has "no time" for demonstration.....it not being a good CI/teacher.

Is your school accredited by NLNAC or CCNE.....the accrediting boards for nursing schools? For that guarantees that your school is following an approved curriculum that will ensure your competency and ability to sit for boards.

Look at You tube for there are plenty of videos that you can look at to adjunct your studies.

I wish you the best.

[NurseKis, BSN, RN]

I actually learned that my dean went to some other state to do this... so no they arent...