Is it normal to be nervous about "re-learning" skills?

Caffeine_IV · Aug 5, 2013

I think it is normal and healthy to be nervous. That is better than being too confident and then being afraid to ask for assistance. I would just study up on the steps of certain skills so you have a basic idea but with any clinical stuff, practice makes perfect.

Morainey, BSN, RN · Aug 5, 2013

Just be honest if you get hired there. Tell them your skills are rusty and you need practice.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Aug 6, 2013

I have been unemployed for 18 months and am currently interviewing for new positions. I was a Public Health Nurse at a local health department, so we mainly focused on education and not a lot of skills. I have been interviewing with Pediatric and Family Practice clinics and am very nervous about "re-learning" skills that I have not used since nursing school. I graduated in May 0f 2010. Is this normal? I just dont want to appear stupid when I do get a new job...
I have never learned to draw labs due to the fact that we had a lab at our health department and they did it all. I guess I am just scared that other nurses will think I am seriously lacking if I am not sure about something. I know it takes repetition to get comfortable but I am still nervous...
Any suggestions?

Have you went back to your program and asked to practice at their skills lab???

Some places will help get those skills together...but I'm sure you want some sort if refresher before entering orientation.

I'm not sure of your money situation; I would also suggest a refresher course, or a few skills competency courses as well...if there's nothing that can't be rearranged in your budget, stop by your nursing school and ask them if you can get back into the swing of things...I'm sure they would love to help.

HeatherGurl84 · Aug 6, 2013

Thank you for the suggestions! If I do receive an offer I plan to be open and honest about needing to re-familiarize myself. I will check into refresher courses too

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Aug 6, 2013

Stop! Listen up!

If you have been doing a lot of education and work with people you have nursing skills! You have teaching, assessment, planning, and documentation skills. I keep telling people that what nursing students think are "skills" are the things on the lab check-off sheet, but they aren't nursing skills, they are nursing tasks that we teach to lay people all the time and you will relearn (or learn for the first time) in no time flat.

Stopstopstop focusing on what you think your weaknesses are (and what you believe the interviewer will see as weaknesses) because you may be wrong on both counts. You have a lot going for you. Use it!

HeatherGurl84 · Aug 6, 2013

Quote

Stop! Listen up!

If you have been doing a lot of education and work with people you have nursing skills! You have teaching, assessment, planning, and documentation skills. I keep telling people that what nursing students think are "skills" are the things on the lab check-off sheet, but they aren't nursing skills, they are nursing tasks that we teach to lay people all the time and you will relearn (or learn for the first time) in no time flat.

Stopstopstop focusing on what you think your weaknesses are (and what you believe the interviewer will see as weaknesses) because you may be wrong on both counts. You have a lot going for you. Use it!

Thank You....I NEEDED to hear this!!! :yes:

allnurses Guide · Aug 6, 2013

I've been a nurse more years than most of my colleagues have been alive, and working in hospital for a very long time. I go ask people,

"hey! been a while since I set this up, come remind me how okay?". FWIW, I hate setting up art lines.... always doubt if I've got everything just right.

Much much much rather have someone ask me than do something that we then have to go fix.