Last semester: any body overwhelmed?

[sasi]

Im graduating in May, so I should be excited but I'm not really, I mean not yet at least. The last semester is harder than I thought although I'm doing generally good. I'm really anxious about clinicals, I had a very tough clinical instructor and I feel like I dont even know basics (although I do), and I such clinically, like putting things together. Although I really dont wanna say negative things, she doesnt give us enough "space", I mean simple things like d/c an iv, hanging a piggyback, she follows us, or at least me; maybe because I go to her for everything coz I dont want her to give me an unsat if I dont confirm anything with her first, but at the same time, I wish I had more space, like for ex, check meds and certain more complex procedures with her, outside of the pt's room, go through so she makes sure I know my stuff and then let me do my thing, just be available if I need something. I take my time, make sure I verify everything even for the little stuff and her following me doesnt help so she thinks I am just slow, or dont know what I am doing... I have never been anxious or stressed before going to or during clinicals, always eager to learn more, and help out, take on more responsibilities, but this time, I bearely wanna learn anything else, I just wanna do exactly what I need to please my instructor and make sure she doesnt give me an unsat or an unsafe, I am missing out totally on this last semester of clinicals which is the time to practice new skills, or reinforce what we know, put everything together... anybody else feeling like that?

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I will be finished with my program in March. I'm actually feeling disgusted at the mere idea of school and cannot wait until this aspect of my life concludes. I'm sick and tired.

Here are the items on my full plate. I work full-time 16 hour weekend double shifts (6am to 10pm) as an LPN/LVN every Saturday and Sunday to keep my bills paid. My school is located 225 miles away from my home and I commute across state lines to get there. This winter has been brutal with the blizzards, snow, freezing rain, ice, high winds, fog, sleet, and every other undesirable weather element. I have not had much free time over the past year. It all disgusts me, but I am hoping that the struggle will be worth it in the long run.

[NS2SBowman]

I had my first clinical on the floor Monday and I am generally a really organized person but everyone thing just went down the tubes. Our instructur expects us to only take 10-15 minutes to obtain all the information for our pts. meds, labs, and do a full head to toe assessment and we have 2-4 pts. None of my other clinical instructors ever pushed us this hard so it is very overwhelming and I was ready to throw in the towel, but I have worked to hard to get this far. I am trying to pull myself up by the boot straps and move on!!!! I only have 6 more weeks of class and clinical and then it's on to preceptorship!!!

[Rylee2008, ASN, RN]

I also feel a little overwhelmed. At times I feel like I'm not retaining anything I learned. Today I made a stupid mistake in clinical. I was so upset with myself because I felt like a fool in front of the instructor. I finally told myself that I didn't endanger the patient and I actually caught my mistake immediately so I shouldn't be so hard on myself. The fast pace, high expectations from instructors and no time to prepare is bothering me, but some how I'm make it through.

[Rylee2008, ASN, RN]

I will be finished with my program in March. I'm actually feeling disgusted at the mere idea of school and cannot wait until this aspect of my life concludes. I'm sick and tired.

Here are the items on my full plate. I work full-time 16 hour weekend double shifts (6am to 10pm) as an LPN/LVN every Saturday and Sunday to keep my bills paid. My school is located 225 miles away from my home and I commute across state lines to get there. This winter has been brutal with the blizzards, snow, freezing rain, ice, high winds, fog, sleet, and every other undesirable weather element. I have not had much free time over the past year. It all disgusts me, but I am hoping that the struggle will be worth it in the long run.

Your weather sounds like ours in Wisconsin!! I also work weekends as a LPN and can't wait to finish my RN in May. Just to have a day where I don't have to worry about what paper is due, what chapters to read and what test to study for will be great. I'm also tired of planning my life around school.

[sasi]

Oh man! and I thought I had it bad... hang in there guys, it'll be all worth it in the end, or at least I hope so... the commuter, NS2Sbowman, Rylee2008, we'll all make it....:)

[9livesRN, BSN, RN]

I am so thankfull for the autonomy given to me on my last semester, today I was informed on the floor that I have successfully completed my clinicals for the last semester, and got clearance to contact my RN preceptor for practicum, althought it is not my last day, saturday i will be assisting other students that did not get their "pass " yet, so that they can move on with us, since we finish classes right now in 3 weeks, than it is all nclex studying!

What was expected of me this semester:

primary care without techs or assitance for 3 patients, get on the floor at 645 get report, assess my 3 patients and document it, and report to my instructor prior to 8 am, and then get on with tasks, meds, and what not.

I had plenty of iv starts, got to do some foley, trach care, and some other nice skills.

the thing is that i received the other week a very demanding group of patients, they were immobile, one with a trach, one with compartment sindrome, and a LOL with a dirty mouth, dizzy disoriented, and incontinent.

all i can tell you is that i whooped my but for 4 hours without even a bathroom break, and proved capable of caring to my pts safely and promptly, after that i guess i gained the "respect" and it was a smooth ride for my last 4 shifts...

great luck to you!