Know it all classmates

[FNPhopeful]

Ok Im in my first semester and Im already urked by people. Its mainly people who are currently CNA's making me feel inadequate. When we go to learn a new skill they are used to doing it already on a daily basis and Im learning it for the first time, so it makes me feel should I say "dumb" when these other people can do it flawlessly and Im still going huh? It comes up because usually when we have a skills test its in pairs so they go then you go.

Im not dumb by any means and I hate feeling that way.

Do I just need to step it up a knotch to be good at the stuff by the time we get to doing it, or just get over it and learn along with everyone else?

Just wondering if anyone else has noticed this, Im sure most RN classes have alot of CNA's.

Im normally pretty soft spoken and introverted so Im thinking its just my own complex. But I hate feeling inadequate. Im hoping nursing makes me tough.

[User123456]

try to forgive & ignore those know-it-alls, for soon enough they will find out that they don't! nursing school is the great equalizer.

im with ya! and besides that sometimes cnas think they know what they are doing only to find out they have been doing it the wrong way all the time.

i felt at first that cnas had a leg up but now im in the mind set that its harder to relearn something you have been doing daily incorrectly than to learn it fresh. its hard to break bad habits.

sometimes people with prior medical experiance know more but you will catch up.

[vickie14810]

We too have know it alls in class. I try to ignore a lot of them except if they are ones that are not with their noses in the air and are willing to help. Last year I practiced as a CNA for 3 months that was it so some of it isn't too bad for me but I didn't practice it that much...that is the way I feel. We have just started clinicals and I feel so inadequate. Especially around the CNA's that have been in the field for 8 years, the home health aides, and the previous RN students who didn't make it through. I did the basic CNA stuff the first week of clinicals. But one student got to experience an insulin injection and another got to do a foley catheter and enema. I am so nervous my hands shake and I get sick to my stomach. I have practiced in the lab but still not confident that I can do a good job. I put them out of my mind and say they don't matter as much as I possibly can, its not easy but its you you have to focus on not them.

[cancergirl24]

:paw::paw:RebeccajeanRN, I know this is off subject...but the pic of your chihuahua is the cutest/funniest I've ever seen:chuckle I have seen my chihuahua make the same face! Gotta love em:loveya::heartbeat

[ErinJane]

Even CNAs have something to learn, alot of them know the procedures, but have sloppy techniques. Just be assured that you are being trained to be a nurse and even CNAs don't have that one down. Skills should be relearned in a new context. Just take a breath and concentrate on the fact that it doesn't matter if you look stupid, ask questions. The more questions you have the more competent you are and the better off patient is. If anyone has anything to say, just remark that your first concern is patient health and not your ego. That should put them in their place.

Good luck.

Erin

[whiteoleander5]

This post could have been written by me..

I have been having the same problem except not with CNA's, but rather people who ironically, like myself, have no experience whatsover. So isnt that strange? I feel like some people in my classes belittle others but in an indirect way.. I just get bad vibes from them. Its little things, like a few sarcastic remarks that I dont appreciate, or maybe I'm just too sensitive. I'm introverted also and always suspicious of the motive of others.. But still, I always feel like I'm doing it wrong around them or that they think I am this stupid little shy girl who has no idea what she's doing... And they have just as much knowledge as I do, so its pretty funny... They just have the confidence that I lack.

Like you, Im really hoping nursing makes me stronger. I'm not a very confident person and also not very assertive-- both of which MUST change, and will (I hope). Don't let them bother you... They just don't want to admit that they are in the same boat as you are. Good luck!