I need help with clinical

[PokoMan]

Hello, I am a second year nursing student. Unfortunately, I failed clinical because I had trouble maintaining skills from year 1 (manual blood pressure, use of stethoscope). I was nervous on the first day and messed up on the year 1 skills. In addition, whenever my clinical teacher asks me questions about my patient's diagnosis, meds, and patho, i come blank. I also struggle with critical thinking. I know what my problem is: I never take the initiative to review the stuff I learned from year 1 and getting into the mind of a nurse. My study habits are poor as well. I am doing well in my other courses. Im frustrated with this and want to move on.

[Jean Grey RN]

Clinicals can be nerve wracking .... I've seen many struggle with the same issues you're describing. As far as technical skills go ... you just need to practice. Practice on your friends and family.... even yourself. When you're in clinical with your nurse you can even ask them to show you how THEY perform certain skills and then ask your nurse if you can perform your skills on patients.

Are you required to do pre-planning before attending clinical?

[PokoMan]

Thank you for your answer. I do patient research before clinical but I was on the getiarics floor and I have to do research on the same day before my shift.

[AliNajaCat]

OK, you nailed it in your original post.

I know what my problem is: I never take the initiative to review the stuff I learned from year 1 and getting into the mind of a nurse. My study habits are poor as well.

So you wanted an opinion as to....what, exactly?

Whatever you planned to do this upcoming long weekend besides Thanksgiving dinner with family, cancel it.

Review every single thing from year 1.

Read your NANDA-I 2015-2017 to start thinking more like a nurse.

Make a study plan for the rest of the semester and DO IT.

[tcvnurse, BSN, RN]

Is this a joke? You say you have poor study habits. There's your problem! Did you expect to get through nursing school on thinking happy thoughts? You need to study, obviously, and put in way more effort than you currently are.

[PokoMan]

Thanks however I do live in Canada, but this weekend I have planned my work so that I can review

[PokoMan]

Yes thank you. I have been depressed ever since I failed and lost motivation, but it's coming back to me now.

[PokoMan]

In my clinical and lab experience, I had trouble maintaining year 1 skills. I am a second year student and I felt horrible about my progress. I understand that I should review more but I was wondering if anybody had a similar situation like I did.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Moved to general nursing student forum. Skill start with basics and then proceed to more complicated tasks. It is necessary to review the basics prior to proceeding on - best wishes.

[NICUismylife, ADN, BSN, RN]

If you don't use it, you lose it. If you are not finding opportunities in the clinical setting to utilize those first-year skills, then you should be practicing in the skills lab, or even at home if you have supplies you can use at home. Sometimes even walking yourself through the skills verbally is helpful, when you are doing something else (driving, making dinner, etc.).

[AliNajaCat]

Somebody told you to review more? Good advice from somebody who knew what she was talking about.

This is why there's open practice lab. NEVER be embarrassed to read up on something and then go in there and say, "I can't remember the steps for opening and using a sterile field," or whatever, and ask for guidance on how to practice it. It's much, much better to do it there than the next time you're in clinical and your instructor is wondering what your problem is and why you didn't come prepared. :)

[PokoMan]

Hello, I failed clinical was because I lacked year 1 skills (use of stethoscope, and understanding vitals). In addition, I never came prepared and whenever my clinical teacher asks me a question. I come blank. I lack critical thinking skills and want to improve.