I don't want to be "clueless" when I hit the floor

tothepointeLVN, LVN · Jan 11, 2011

Unfortunately you probably still will be. Even when you do have experience and switch to a new job the cluelessness will start again. Embrace you awareness of being cluelessness. It's better than being cocky AND clueless

Sparrowhawk · Jan 11, 2011

No coursework will prepare you for skills..Skills you learn as you do. :) You'll be ok.

momuv4qtz · Jan 11, 2011

Thanks! I volunteered as a CCE intern at a local hospital on the Med/Surg floor for a few weeks. What was shocking to me was that the nurses did not sit down unless they were charting. I was only there for four hours and was practically running the whole time- doing vitals, giving baths, changing linens, etc. I cannot imagine that these nurses who are so crazy busy are going to be able to help a "newbie" learn the ropes. So...if I can learn more during school to make myself less of a burden, I'd love to do it!

UpinawayRN · Jan 11, 2011

Don't try to predict the future. We have all briefly (or not so briefly) felt clueless to new environments. It is how most of our brains automatically respond. It is all about taking it one day at a time and being persistent and determined(which is I believe more important than "smarts"). Tell yourself "If millions of others make it through, then I CAN too!) When you can't see the forest for the trees, start by braking off one branch at a time! You can do more than you ever imagined!! Stepping out of our comfort zone is the way we were meant to live! :twocents:

Sparrowhawk · Jan 11, 2011

Yeah..on that note..I feel clueless when I have to switch halls....so the clueless will always be there.

littlemammanurse, BSN, RN · Jan 11, 2011

I still feel clueless sometimes.I always ask questions about what I could have done better,how I could have handled a situation better, and take it with constructive criticism.Nursing is a field to grow in, you are always learning, don't be afraid to ask questions, and to find a good mentor to look up to when you work!

Ackeem, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN · Jan 11, 2011

Nursing school mostly teaches you theory, you don't learn to be a nurse until you actually start working as one , and this doesn't happen over night you learn as you go along.

I wish you the best of luck, and you'll be fine don't worry.

anurseatlast · Jan 11, 2011

I agee that you will feel clueless every time you start a new job. What can you do as a student to be as well prepared as possible? Do not memorize - aim for a deeper understanding. Although there will be a lot to learn as a new nurse, having a thorough understanding of pathophys, A&P, how medications work, etc. will be invaluable. Many students just want to get by in school. Even if you are able to pass the classes, you will pay the price when you study for NCLEX and begin your nursing career. Later, if you change fields, that basic information will still be there somewhere and it will be easier to adjust to the new job.

Also, be a student who volunteers to do things when the opportunity arises. Some students are hesitant to do something they have never done before. That is why you are a student - to learn - and some things you will only learn by doing. Instead of hanging out when you have down time at clinical, ask the nurse you are working with if you can follow him/her and see what they really do. (Be sure to check with your instructor before doing something new with the nurse. Don't assume -be sure it is something you are allowed to do.)Don't be afraid to ask questions - you will learn a lot that way. Write down things you don't understand and look it up later. This will greatly increase what you learn from clinical.

I think one of the great things about nursing is that you will always be learning new things, not matter how long you are a nurse. It never has to get boring if you strive to be a life-long learner.

BTW, I have been a nurse for almost 4 years and sometimes still feel clueless. I am fortunate to have great co-workers who will answer even "dumb" questions and, once in a while, I am able to explain something to them!

Christen, ANP · Jan 11, 2011

Work as a PCT or CNA or whatever they're called in your area. That was what helped me the most, IMO. It allowed me to network and learn how to interact with patients, break that personal space barrier. I even read the charts and talked to the nurses on slower days so I could kinda practice practicing.

jjjoy, LPN · Jan 11, 2011

It can help to work in some type of nursing environment. It may still be a big leap after you finish school and are working as a nurse, but it can smooth at least a few little things in a sea of new responsibilties.

Working as a patient care aide, you can get real fast at and learn little 'tricks' of basics like bed baths, turning patients, toileting, getting a BP on all different body shapes and sizes, etc. And you get lots of practice interacting with patients who may be in pain, be angry, be scared.

Working as unit secretary, you can get to know the nursing station flow that nursing students often have even less exposure to than patient care: how orders are processed, how communication goes between nurses and physicians and nurses and pharmacy. I imagine one would get common meds and dosages nailed down since US often enter orders.

Some facilities offer special positions for nursing students that allow them to take on more responsibility than an aide. There never were a ton of such opportunities and with budget cuts all around, there are probably even less. But it's worth looking around your community for student nurse internship type programs.

0402 · Jan 11, 2011

The least discombobulated people I knew right out of school were people that did a year long externship during school and then got hired onto the same floor. They had been getting to know the layout, the charting, the people, the flow, etc for almost a year before they started, so the learning curve was definitely not quite as steep. Others did externships/ CNA/ unit clerk but were hired by different hospitals, so they had to learn those things all over again. Personally, I moved to a different part of the country (we are military, so it was a move done on my husband's orders), and I'm not sure there's anything I could have done to help feel less clueless. =) I've been there almost 3 months, and while I did learn a lot of theory, I feel that my school gave me a very good academic/ scientific/ medical foundation to get started. One thing that helps me is carrying a little notebook with little tidbits of info that I get (hints on charting certain things, phone numbers; who to call for certain things). There are many times when I know I was already told something but for the life of me, I have no idea what I was told, but I can look it up in my book and it really helps- and I'm not afraid to ask for help when I need it. =) One thing I learned early on was who I could/ should go to with questions and who to stay at least 10 ft away from at all times.