I need help!

Carolanne · Oct 3, 2004

Hi Cailly,

I think most of us have been there too. I came to realize that our clinical instructors were basically there to give us the tour and introduction, but the real LEARNING happens when you're laying hands on with those patients and working with the staff. It may not seem like it, but every minute you're on that hospital floor in clinical, you're chalking up more learning experience. And you learn from these experiences, you learn what to do and what not to do next time. It's all another link in the chain. I can identify with the instructors too, a lot of them in our school just stand up there and rattle off the syllabus which in some cases wasn't even prepared by them and is several semesters old. Unfortunately, a lot of nursing courses are do it yourselfers. Look up things you don't understand on the internet, go to your local library, get some NCLEX books and practice the questions. Sometimes when you see things presented in a different way, it clicks. Don't get discouraged, it's a gradual process and one day it will all come together. Good luck to you!!

Cailly · Oct 4, 2004

I appreciate your feedback!! I already have done alot of external research..going on the web, Nclex book, etc... but thanks so much for the feedback...I will succeed..I will not let these women break me!!! I know that I am needed in the nursing profession!

Hi Cailly,
I think most of us have been there too. I came to realize that our clinical instructors were basically there to give us the tour and introduction, but the real LEARNING happens when you're laying hands on with those patients and working with the staff. It may not seem like it, but every minute you're on that hospital floor in clinical, you're chalking up more learning experience. And you learn from these experiences, you learn what to do and what not to do next time. It's all another link in the chain. I can identify with the instructors too, a lot of them in our school just stand up there and rattle off the syllabus which in some cases wasn't even prepared by them and is several semesters old. Unfortunately, a lot of nursing courses are do it yourselfers. Look up things you don't understand on the internet, go to your local library, get some NCLEX books and practice the questions. Sometimes when you see things presented in a different way, it clicks. Don't get discouraged, it's a gradual process and one day it will all come together. Good luck to you!!

csushi · Oct 4, 2004

hey cailly,

do u by any chance live in WI? i graduated recently and your story is so familiar. i and many of my friends went through the same thing. it's extremely frustrating and u would think that there would be more comradery among a profession mostly made up of women (no offense to u gentlemen out there), in that we would all come together and help each other out to make nursing better, but in a lot of instances it's just not the case. i found that if u want something u just gotta get it yourself. the school that i went to was just absolutely disorganized and it was an awful experience, but i thank God that i had my friends and we helped each other out through rough times. networking with others will really help u get through this ordeal. my clinical experience wasn't all that great, actually it was horrible all 4 semesters. i was asking staff members to let us do more than vital signs for the 1st semester! recent rumor is that my old school got suspended?! the feeling of being somewhat lost will not subside after graduation. i totally agree with Carolanne that you'll get your experience hands on, hopefully there will be a great nurse that will take you under his/her wing that will become a mentor. i was looking for that in school and unfortunately never found it, but while i was out in the field i was lucky enough to find some amazing nurses that i got to work with that were patient and willing to teach.

meanwhile, hang in there. it may not seem like it now, but it will go quickly and before you know it you'll be done with school. the real challenge is getting through boards. that to me seemed way worse than 4 years of schooling. :crying2:

just keep positive and know that you are not alone.:)

jschut, BSN, RN · Oct 4, 2004

One thing you also have to realize is that the instructor probably has to be 4 places at once and is doing the very best she/he can.

In my clinical, the nurse (instructor) assigned to us, was also assigned to students on 2 other floors!

We had to page her if there was an emergency or procedure and there was a lot of waiting. Make yourself useful to the nurses on the floor...offer to help them if your patient is already cared for. Assist other students, walk your patient (if feasible, of course!).

Hang in there and remember, you are there to learn...make yourself a sponge...take it all in! The instructors are there to help you, not hinder, but they also are there to help a dozen other students who may not be as capable as you (and that's why the instructor feels you can be trusted alone a bit more!).

Good Luck!