IS IT OKAY?!?!?

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Is it ok that when I read some of the posts that are talking about preceptorship or nursing classes or clinicals, I feel like I'm reading a foreign language!? I'm thinking "um...whaaaaat?!?!" I know that's all stuff I'll learn when nursing classes actually start. It's just kind of overwhelming to feel so lost and confused I guess! Its feeling unprepared! It's quite frightening actually! Is this a normal feeling to have right before you start the program!?

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

Well, of course you're going to be confused and lost, reading about clinicals in posts. You haven't learned anything yet because school hasn't started. Save the stressing out for when school starts.

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Well some of us on here have been exposed to the hospital, clinic, and field. Don't worry, you'll learn the lingo real quick.

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Completely normal. Save your worries and stress :)

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Yes it's normal! :) BTW clinicals and preceptorship really aren't as bad as you might think. At least for me, I feel much more comfortable during clinicals than sitting for an exam!

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Make an effort to get acquainted with, and to make casual friendly relationships with, classmates. Then, you can hash out lots of mysteries together and pass on info that each of you finds out individually. Often discussing things with peers goes a long way to allay fear and doubt.

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

I remember my first day of Fundamentals like it was yesterday. Our prof wrote something akin to this in the board:

Pt is a 67yof c a PMH of HTN, HL, CAD s/p

CABGx3 now POD4.

I flipped out because I had no idea what any of it meant. In a few months it will be second nature to you! You will learn it all as you go!

A quick rundown of common nursing courses:

Fundamentals (normally has a skills lab)

Pathophysiology

Pharmacology

Med-Surg 1 (clinical component)

Pediatrics (clinical component)

Maternity (clinical component)

Community (clinical component)

Psych (clinical component)

Med-Surg 2 (clinical component)

Synthesis (preceptirship)

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Thanks a lot for the feedback! One day at a time! : )

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Thanks a lot for the feedback! One day at a time! : )

Yes, babysteps for us pre-programmers. Then giant cottonfield walking steps once we're in!

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Specializes in critical care.

I totally feel you on this one!

Lately I've been trying to determine the exact differences between externship and internship. Also, how come in undergrad its clinicals, but in grad it's preceptorship? Or are they somehow different concepts?

Don't worry. You'll be throwing out the terms and acronyms like a pro soon enough.

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

Precept is 1 on 1 time. You normally are in clinical groups for undergrad (4-6 students to one clinical instructor) except for your capstone class your last semester where you will be 1 on 1 precepted.

I grad school you work 1 on 1 with a NP/CRNA/CNMW or a MD.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

You can't speak the language if you have never taken the class. relax. It will come. :hug:

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