Today was my turn to do any random selection of 6 skills: NGT, trach care and suctioning, foley catheter, central line dressing change, and tube feeding. I had to do trach and female foley and totally flubbed. Then I started crying. I already cried once before in front of my instructor and I'm pretty sure she thinks I'm unstable now. My nerves got the best of me, although I didn't know the stuff well like I should have. I had of all this other work going on and neglected practicing. This is the third time this has happened!
We repeat a set of skills sometimes as part or our program's checkpoints. I failed VS checkoffs first semester, med checkoffs (the 2nd one although I passed the first) second semester, and this one (which was also the second time around). I doubt myself a lot concerning my skills. I did pass the EKG and math portion, thank goodness. Strangely, I felt no motivation so when I was failed it was no shock. Still not sure why I cried. I guess because my prophecy came true. Are there other ways to deal this anxiety, besides practice? That unmotivated, paranoid feeling is horrible to have. I contemplated not even showing up to checkoffs because of being so nervous and aware of the outcome. Not winning.
Thanks for the words of encouragement. I had to take a break from it, but I'm going to start practicing tonight. So far, the teachers have been helpful and offering assistance if I need any. I can make As on tests but eff up my skills. It really is shameful.
I was exactly the same way. Horrible in the labs but I graduated at the top of my class and now am a confident nurse with excellent skills. I always come home every day with an idea of how to make the next day better.
So engaged the part of you that aces tests and break it down. I know from experience that when you excel in theory everyone expects you to be a wiz at skills. SO much pressure
I recruited friends, families and friends OF family so I could practice skills. I learned, during practice for the female Foley catheter insertion, that the square tissue boxes do a good job standing in for the required body parts LOL practice, practice, practice and then practice some more!
Well, I completed my redo after 2 days of 2 hr practice shift in the lab and passed! The practice really helped and I was able to complete the redo without missing hardly anything. I also didn't look at the teacher, which helped. I just talked to myself and went through the motions. Now on to finals...errr!!!
Oh hun, i cant tell you how many times i have freaked out during check offs.... i had never worked in a hospital before nursing school and unlike EVERYONE in my class... so the when it was my turn to do check offs i would panic and freeze.. while everyone else was yawing. however, because i learned everything by the book when it came time to do clinicals my instructors were incredibly impressed. you will be fine. practice makes perfect.. bug your family members.. friends.. stuffed animals. honestly the morning i had to do my first injection i practiced my technique in my bathroom using rolled up panties and the back end of razor.. and i rocked it! youll do great hun!
Same skills I absolutely froze up on. Pretty sure my instructor thinks I am a unstable as well... she does not. She recognizes the performance anxiety and explained she used to suffer from it, too. The trick is, according to her, is to pretend as if I am confident, whether I actually am or not. Visualization and relaxation techniques might help, too.
Not winning.
tothepointeLVN, LVN
2,246 Posts
I was exactly the same way. Horrible in the labs but I graduated at the top of my class and now am a confident nurse with excellent skills. I always come home every day with an idea of how to make the next day better.
So engaged the part of you that aces tests and break it down. I know from experience that when you excel in theory everyone expects you to be a wiz at skills. SO much pressure