I'm fierce, strong, & wonderful, no not really!

[MoriahRoseRN]

Hi,

I haven't been on here in a while. I just started a new job and the kids are out for the summer so I have been way busy.

I am feeling pretty low right now. I just can't let things go when I didn't do as well as I thought I should have. I wish I could cry, but the tears won't come. I had a Neonatal resusitation class and I only passed, because the doctor that did the mock code let me slide if I'd promised to study the book more and another nurse promised to practice with me (this doctor was very anal as he should be, but he made me very nervous). I focused so much on the tests, and not the algorithms. Everything is so new to me, especially the equipment. I really blew it. I did not take this as serious as I should have. Nor did I have a clue what the mock code was going to be like, which is what I failed miserably at. To top it off there were people walking in and out of the nursery, and one particular very busybody nurse was standing right there watching me sweat bullets . I feel so rotten right now that I just want to quick or maybe break a leg so I won't have to go back. I am so embarassed. Has anyone else been in my shoes, tell me I am not the only one that has ever done this. How do I get to the point that I let my failures roll off my back and not let them get me so down that I just want to quick nursing and do something else.

.

[TazziRN, RN]

Is this the first time you've taken NALS? Any of the resusc classes are stressful the first time you take it, or even recerts that have never had to go through the megacode style that we oldies are used to. It's enough to scare the wee-wee out of you.

The nurse who was watching: you should have asked her to leave. Actually the evaluator should have asked her to leave, but you could have.

Traffic: you could have asked for a more ideal testing area.

How to get through the megacode: BREATHE!!! Take your time and think about your answers. You are not graded on how fast you go through it. Learn the equipment before you test.

For right now: BREATHE!!!! It's done, it's over until your recert, and you have time to study for it. By then you may have been in an infant code where you can utilize NALS.....to use it is to understand it.

No, you are not the only one to have felt this way. {{{Hugs}}}

[MoriahRoseRN]

Thanks Tazzi for your kind words. Your reply brought tears to my eyes. Yes, I am really feeling that down. I will do better next time, and this is my first NRP. Also, thanks for the good tips. God bless you!

[Idon'tcodgerdodge]

I'm a firm believer in having the **** scared out of you to learn a valuable lesson. That doctor is probably smart enough to know that you were just nervous and not totally incompetent. He knew that by making you aware of what you need to work on, he's making you a better nurse. No one expects you to be perfect, it takes time and experience. I probably would have been a babbling idiot. I sweat bullets during an adult code, can't imagine an neonate!