low confidence

[deetrain]

My clinical prof doesn't have much faith in my ability to perform simple nursing procedures and document a nursing care plan correctly. I have 0 confidence (intellectually, physically and socially) this whole situation makes me feel low. What should i do?

[CBsMommy]

Deetrain -

I am going to be honest with you, not because I'm being mean, but because I think it will be in your best interest. I don't know you, however, I have seen you post numerous homework questions on allnurses, some that would be simple for you to look up yourself. Nursing is hard work. We need to know a LOT of information and in a short amount of time not only to pass NCLEX but so we don't kill people.

Have you practiced your skills at home or in an open lab? Is your paperwork looking okay? Do you ever take the necessary steps that you need to, to put into your paperwork? These are questions that you need to seriously think about and answer for yourself. If you are not willing to put in the time and EFFORT into nursing school, maybe that is coming across to your instructor. Maybe YOU need to put more time into your homework and skills so that YOU can build up YOUR OWN confidence level because no one is going to do that for you.

Good luck!

[gumby1411]

I agree with the PP. No one can build your confidence for you. Your clinical instructor isn't there to build up your self-esteem. He/she is there to teach you and make sure you don't kill anyone. From my limited experience (just started in August), nursing school requires a LOT of self-motivated study. I find myself studying things that aren't going to be on the exam or that we haven't even gone over in class, so that I know what the heck I'm doing in clinicals (or try to anyway). For me, it's not about making A's, although that's nice, but it's about making sure that I'll be the best possible nurse that I can be. My best advice is to practice, study, and then practice some more. Practice on family members, friends, heck I practiced for my respiratory check-off on a pillow because my husband was out of town that week!! Keep your head up and make sure you take any necessary steps to increase your knowledge and improve your skills. Good luck to you!

[Angitia]

Don't let it upset you! You have to figure out what it is your nursing instructor expects. And just do that.

Unfortnately, sometimes it's the case -- that in order to pass your nursing skills yo have to act confidently and like you know what you're doing, instead of really knowing what you're doing and doing it right.

Being proactive helps. Try to get engaged during clinicals. What helps is preparing your care plan thoroughly the night before, know all the meds your patient is taking and what they're for, get a one-page print out of all nursing diagnoses and just throw a bunch of them in your care plan. If you're not confident with patients, remember -- it's all about practice, knock on the door, walk into the room, say anything, an do it several times a day -- soon you will feel more confident. I understand how you feel, but don't get all depressed