Is what I am feeling normal

Music in My Heart · Apr 26, 2011

Your feelings do sound typical of many people (though not universal).

Personally, I took heart in the recognition that the vast majority of people make it through nursing school and most (by far) pass the NCLEX. I typically figure that if most people can do it then I probably can, too.

Regarding errors, the potential is always there. You strive to know your stuff, be careful, follow protocols, and double/triple check everything you do - especially with the little ones. After that, simply acknowledge that you're human and that you might make a mistake that might hurt somebody. The reality is that, even if you're a safe, careful driver, you might one day make a mistake which will injure or kill somebody (in fact, statistically speaking, it's probably much more likely than you making a fatal med error). Risks are everywhere (though we're not often mindful of them). All we can do is strive to be careful and to do our best and then let the chips fall where they may. That said, I can certainly empathize with the devastation that the referenced nurse must have felt.

Go easy on yourself, do your best, and believe in yourself. Your instructors do or else you wouldn't still be in the program.

NENE RN · Apr 26, 2011

I have 110 days left....but who's counting. I will tell you that people are human. For the first time ever in clinicals I dropped a pill last Thrusday. It hit the other pills in the pill cup and bounced right out I could swear in slow motion. I stopped breathing because I just knew my world was about to end. Not really but I was on edge. My instructor picked up the pill and went to get another one..like no big deal. I would give this advice in this story. Your clinical instructor will correct you if you are wrong or hopefully catch you before you make a mistake.

Med-Surg is a lot of info but if you are doing well now, keep it up. Know your ABCs and Maslow's. I would suggest going to the library and picking up saunders or any other NCLEX book so that you can practice the med-surg questions. Have Faith in yourself. Being nervous now, yes of course. I still ask questions of my clinical instructor and I have 1.5 qtrs left of school. I pray before and while I am at work (Im a tech) and in clinicals, that I don't do anything to harm my patients that I come in contact with. Good luck in you studies.

mylittleangels · Apr 27, 2011

Ditto what they said and my clinical instructors say it's healthy to have a little fear in you, it can make you a safer nurse!

As far as other people saying that so many people fail med-surge...take it with a grain of salt. What might be hard for others might be a piece of cake for you, don't worry about the unknown!

linearthinker, DNP, RN · Apr 27, 2011

Yes, I think it is normal.

wee_oneRN · Apr 27, 2011

Your feelings are quite normal. In fact, many people say that when you stop worrying, you become careless. As a student though, you really need to avoid those high-anxiety individuals. I remember students in my class that spent so much time studying and stressing, looking terrified before tests, after test, during tests. They 'psyched' themselves and anyone who would listen out of succeeding.

Sure, it is possible you won't pass. It won't be the end of the world, you will just retake the class and have double the experience of your classmates. Don't waste too much time thinking you can't/won't succeed. You will talk yourself right out of succeeding.

Even after being a nurse for 30 years you can make a mistake. We are human beings, not robots. Nurses makes mistakes everyday, and unfortunately, that nurse did not have enough support around her to help her forgive herself for being human. Don't forget to live life and have great family and friends. Don't put every ounce of your soul into one goal and forget you are alive and are more than just a test, a grade, a job.

You will do fine! It will be hard, maybe the hardest class you have ever taken. You will hate some days, and be amazed at others. You will wonder how you could ever read so much. Then you will pass and move on to the next class and start the process all over again.

Good luck, and stay away from the stressed-out, negative ones!

Tree5981, ADN, BSN, MSN · Apr 27, 2011

I've dropped a pill before too in med surg. Wow did i feel aweful and my nurse made no big deal too. Glad i'm not alone :)

rkitty198, BSN, RN · Apr 27, 2011

Every nursing program has those horror stories about a class and a particular instructor.

I hate it when the students try to pick easier instructors or easier patients (say a simple pneumonia patient). They say "I have to do a care plan on that patient and it would be too hard." Boo hoo!

I always tell them that you don't get to pick your patient when you become a nurse, so picking an easy instructor or patient will not get you anywhere. I like to challenge myself, just continue to challenge yourself, that way when you become a nurse you are prepared for the more difficult challenges that will head your way.

I like what another poster said about getting a Saunders book (or study book) and start taking questions to prepare for the NCLEX.

They do a few things,

They teach you things you don't know and prepare you for your tests in your future classes. Some of the instructors pull questions from the study guides and use them in class.

They prepare you for the NCLEX (early prep is key!)

They get you to focus on areas you have trouble with

Music in My Heart · Apr 27, 2011

I actually lost an Ativan pill during M/S rotation. Fortunately, it turned up before we had to file a report (but after I'd told my nurse about it). It had fallen on the floor (still in its pack) and a classmate had picked it up.

I've had more than one pill hit the floor on the job... and had more than one patient say, "That's OK, just wipe it off."

lovle1025 · Apr 27, 2011

Thank you everyone for taking the time to respond to me! I'm feeling a little better

now!

heavenbound · Apr 28, 2011

Ditto what they said and my clinical instructors say it's healthy to have a little fear in you, it can make you a safer nurse!
As far as other people saying that so many people fail med-surge...take it with a grain of salt. What might be hard for others might be a piece of cake for you, don't worry about the unknown!

This is absolutely true and could not have been stated any better.

I continuously was told by other students that intro to nursing and fundamentals were very difficult,this instructor is this, another one is that, etc. However, I passed intro with flying colors and am doing surprisingly well in fundamentals. I am teachable, learning a lot, and enjoying the program thus far. I plan to remain focused, open minded, and filter out the negative comments from others, which tend to weigh you down and begin to second guess yourself. What I have done well in thus far, some students have done poorly in or even failed. Try to surround yourself around positive students whose goal is to do whatever they have to do to get through the program and pass the NCLEX exam on the first try. Another thing that I am learning is be careful with whom you seek information from because for some reason some people feed off of negative energy, will provide you with false information to have you scared and possibly make you fail (Beware); and yes people like that exist in this world. Never let someone else's mishaps become your own. I wish you all the best.

Peace & Blessings!