Is this how it really is??

[jessjoy]

So I just started clinicals. We are in LTC and I have worked with the elderly before so I wasn't that nervous. Well........ we only did complete physical assessments and Gordon's in a lab setting ONE time. On Tuesay they just assigned us a patient and said ...go for it. No one knows what to do. I have a pateint who cannot answer the questions for the Gordon's functional health patterns and I feel like I am wasting a wonderful learning experience. Why were our teachers so wonderful in the classroom and then just ditched us in clinical? I feel like I am not learning anything. I talked to my teacher and she said, "Just do what you can." OK......problem is I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING YET!!! EEK!! Any suggestions???

[MRed94]

Actually, when you thinlk about it, YOU are wasting a wonderful learning opportunity..... Sounds like it is time to go back to the basic nursing book and see what else there is to the criteria for the assessment. There are other ways to assess mental function and other things like that other than having the patient answer the questions.

The instructor obviously feels you are ready to be out there on your own, and that you will know when to got back to the book and re-read it if you need to. Part of clinical is developing critical thinking skills, and this is part of it.

Don't ever be afraid to ask questions, but be prepared with some kind of answer of your own, in case the instructor is like some of mine, and says, "What do YOU think?"

I know you are scared and feel like you know nothing, but you actually know more than you think if you are in clinical.

Do the research, and see where it leads you. You will be glad you took the incentive, and the instructor will most likely be thrilled that you did it on your own.

:)

Marla

[BrandyBSN]

Yes. That is pretty much it. Many things in nursing you will not be taught in class, its the hands on critical thinking skills that you will have to develope on your own. DOn't stress too much though. If they didnt think you were ready, they wouldnt let you go on yoru own. You would be a huge insurance risk to your school :) I absolutely know how overwhelming it is, but it does pass. This year we are out on our own totally, no instructor on site. That was a bit intimidating, but that has passed too. Ask other students, and other nurses for ideas, but dont expect them to just show you what to do... you have to learn to think things out too.

It will be ok :) Just hang in there and have confidence, you will probably surprised yourself.

BrandyBSN

[jschut, BSN, RN]

You'll be ok, believe me. That's pretty much what's happened to me too. But if you think about it, isn't that what they're supposed to do? I mean, we've been taught, and they aren't going to let us do anything they don't trust we can do. We are on their licenses.

Hang in there, everyone is scared at first, but you'll be ok. I promise!:)

Good Luck!

Julie:)

[PhantomRN]

I have to agree that YOU are wasting your valuable clinical time. There are more ways to assess someones mentation than to ask them questions. Your instructor actually is giving you a valuable lesson on how to think out side of the box.

I think the best advice I could give you is to look for the things you CAN LEARN out of a situation NOT at the things you THINK YOU CANT LEARN.