I finally cried

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OK, to be fair I actually did cry during my geriatric rotation, but that was due to a death of someone I knew rather than clinicals. I am finishing a med surg rotation and it has been an incredible and wonderful ride. Our last med surg patient care day was today and it was an unusually bad day. In pre conference our instructor was unusually hard and negative towards us. All semester I have been extremely well prepared as have most of the group and she has always told us how well we were doing. Today we went through who had what patients, what is going on with them, what are we planning for care etc. A few questiuons she asked us we blanked on due to how she asked them and she started in on us all. Said she didn't know what to do with us as we are far enough along that we should know the answer to anything she puts out there.

Some people were just angry with her for dumping on us, I held it together long enough to get to the unit and made a beeline for the bathroom till I could compose myself. I don't think I normally would have taken it so personally, but I have been having issues at home because I feel I am not giving my all to my home and family because of school, but I have felt that I am rocking the school world. The talking down to made me feel like I am not only failing to care for my home and family, but I must suck at nursing too. I know I shouldn't let it get to me, but I am failing miserably at that.

Thank you for letting me vent.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Tele, IM, OB/GYN, neuro, GI.

I'm sorry that you had a bad day. Our instructors do this to us also during clinicals and in class. We have a very friendly relationship with her as she is our classroom and clinical instructor. She did this to us last week and we told her that we get the deer in the headlights look and blank when she asks us something. It's not that we don't know the answer but when we get put on the spot we have a brainfart and the only thing that comes out is "I don't know" but as soon as she says the answer we're like OH yeah I knew that.

I don't know how far or how much longer you have until you are out of school but the further you get into the program the more you will be able to shoot out when she asks you a question or puts you on the spot. When she asks you a question what is your response when you don't know the answer? I find the instructors like it when I tell them I can't remember what that (whatever the question is) but as soon as I find out I'll tell you. Can I give you the answer in five minutes if you aren't busy with another student. It usually works because it shows the instructor that you aren't waiting for her to give you the answer and if it was the real world and this happened while you were working that you would look for the answer.

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BY the way your post almost made me cry! Don't feel like you aren't good at any of those things. I'm sure your an awesome nurse, and an awesome mom/wife whichever you may be. Remember that some instructors point is to make you feel exactly that way. Most of our instructors are great but we have one that just wants you to be scared, she wants you to feel intimidated and shes the youngest one! Actually shes just a big ole bitty if you want to know the truth, but at this point I know its hard to be confident in yourself, and it is for me too, (I'll be graduating this may) because your going through school and your doing good but your not a nurse yet, and you haven't finished yet. But the best of luck to you and don't let her hurt your feelings like that. One day you'll meet up with her again, and you two will be on the same playing field!

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This is ending 3 out of 6 clinicals. I was supposed to graduate in May, but I slowed down so I could actually be home enough to see my family (married with 4 kids, three of whom are in school). I am usually able to answer any questions she has, but I do not rely on tricks of memory to remember how to assess certain conditions which was the point that she turned on us ... the 5 P's of compartment syndrome (Pallor, paresthesia, pulseless, paralysis, and pain) We did tell her we should check color, pulse, swelling, sensation, pain,cap refill, temp, and movement .

When I don't know an answer I will tell her " you know what, I am unsure of that so I will look that up as soon as we get upstairs" . I have thrown my best idea out there for her, but I always look things up if I am unsure anyway. With a patient I will always ask or look up if I do not know something for sure.

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Honey, you're midway through the term and under a lot of stress. The instructor took her stress out on all of you and pushed you over the edge.

Let it go. Take a long, hot bubble bath and a morning to yourself, Sleep in, do you toenails, put on a facial mask. Relax a little. You need it.

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I know that I will never know it all and if I ever think I do, It is time to change careers.I should have graduated in May, but I slowed down for my family (both married and have 4 kids). I feel like I am growing and I feel competent, but I also feel like I am just a baby nurse and I doubt myself too often when experienced nurses are aound KWIM?

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You know, I can't remember the last time I had a bubble bath. I think tomorrow I shall do that.... and paint my toenails a nice fiery red!

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You know, I can't remember the last time I had a bubble bath. I think tomorrow I shall do that.... and paint my toenails a nice fiery red!

There ya go!

Relax. You can't learn when you're shaking.

:)

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