5 More Weeks!

[Stephalump]

I have 5 more weeks of clinical and I'm using every inch of my positive energy to get me through!

It has not been a good semester, in case you couldn't tell by my excitement for it to be over.

My first day. Clinical instructor says "Be here at 0645." I show up at 0645. Clinical instructor says "You were supposed to be here at 0615." Okay, then.

Clinical instructor calls me on her office phone for some information. I think it's her cell phone. I save the number as her cell phone and proceed to spend the next 5 weeks texting her office phone number during clinicals. She wonders why I'm not calling her to give meds and do skills. I can't figure out why she isn't responding to my texts in a timely fashion.

I take home paperwork on my patient, and in my hurry at the end of the day, I forget to cut off the patient's name from the MAR.

Then I hand it in that way to my instructor. That landed me with points off my assignment, a paper on HIPAA, and 4 Unsatisfactories for the day. If I get one more, I fail out of the program.

I forgot a due date and ended up getting a big, fat 0.

Today I decided to be AMAZING in simulation lab. I studied. I prepped. I obsessed. And then I did almost everything I was supposed to do. Except I got so caught up in what I was doing, I forgot the people watching couldn't tell what I was doing (like assessing, which was the majority of this scenario) and didn't think to yell out things like "I'm doing the Glaskow Coma Scale! I'm checking for allergies!" So instead of credit for what I did, I got nothing. Oh, and I referred to the mother of the patient as "mom," instead of by name. I didn't even realize I did it until I watched the video. But apparently that's a cardinal sin.

It's just been one of those...month and a halfs.

Wake me up when it's over.

[MDS3]

As Dory would say, "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming".

[Live.&.Learn]

I saw an earlier post where you were thinking about "taking time off", or something to that nature...glad to see your still plugging along...so close, THE END IS IN SIGHT!!! Give yourself a pat on the back, because you DEFINITELY deserve it!!! :) ♥

[Meriimi]

I just wanna say hang in there! I am on my last semester and it's the first semester that I haven't dreaded clinical every single day. I feel like some of the things you've described are a bit harsh and just try and accept them as mistakes and move on. The only thing I really like about mistakes is that I can almost guarantee you that once I make that mistake there is no way in heck I will ever be making it again. From someone who has been there - you will make it through it, just keep counting the days =)

[LoriRNCM, ADN, ASN, RN]

I just wanna say hang in there! I am on my last semester and it's the first semester that I haven't dreaded clinical every single day. I feel like some of the things you've described are a bit harsh and just try and accept them as mistakes and move on. The only thing I really like about mistakes is that I can almost guarantee you that once I make that mistake there is no way in heck I will ever be making it again. From someone who has been there - you will make it through it, just keep counting the days =)

What she said. Mistakes in NS tend to be etched in your brain for life. It sounds like a crappy semester so far, but you can see the light at the end of the tunnel! Keep chugging.

[rubato, ASN, RN]

You can do ANYTHING for 5 weeks. No problem. :) Do you think things are different this semester because you're working? I think I remember you were struggling with a new diagnosis of Addison's. Is everything okay there?

[Stephalump]

I just wanna say hang in there! I am on my last semester and it's the first semester that I haven't dreaded clinical every single day. I feel like some of the things you've described are a bit harsh and just try and accept them as mistakes and move on. The only thing I really like about mistakes is that I can almost guarantee you that once I make that mistake there is no way in heck I will ever be making it again. From someone who has been there - you will make it through it just keep counting the days =)[/quote']

Thanks! :)

I think some things have been way overdramatic, but the reality I've come to accept is that she either likes you or she doesn't. I'm a very happy "lalala, I like everyone!" type of person, so it took me a while to realize that....she just doesn't like me for whatever reason. My entire clinical group knows it...even visiting students noticed.

Oh well. Hopefully I survive.

How awesome that you're finally having a great semester of clinicals! I know that feeling of dread all too well...I think the experience is so much better when you can look forward to your days with excitement :)

[Julesmama28]

I feel like we're living parallel lives! This semester has been my worst, by far. Tough stuff going on at home. Then I had mental health clinicals and barely made it through with my own mental health intact. I'm just starting L&D and liking it but there's a ton of paperwork etc involved. Over 2 semesters left and I feel the will slowly draining from me. I hope I have it in me to finish strong!

[Stephalump]

You can do ANYTHING for 5 weeks. No problem. :) Do you think things are different this semester because you're working? I think I remember you were struggling with a new diagnosis of Addison's. Is everything okay there?

Hey rubato. Forgot about this thread in my stressful existence.

Only three more weeks! Things are in no way better. I broke sterile field three times during my first foley cath today (yes, first. Weird lack of them in the past year) and the whole room could literally feel my instructor's contempt. Then she verbally let me experience it's fullness after we left the room. It's strange how when some people struggle, we're "there to learn, and she's there to teach." When I struggle on ONE skill, I'm not there to learn and she shouldn't have to teach me. I had to constantly keep her from turning her back to me and walking away while I was trying to get tips on how to get better. It was so incredibly rude - to the point that two nurses on the floor came up to me to comfort me.

On one hand, I don't blame her for not singing my praises. I did turn in something late and break sterile field and whatever. But I don't think there's any excuse for her obvious display of personal dislike for me. I haven't mouthed off to her or complained about her, and I've done everything she's asked me to to rectify the mistakes I have made. I think she thinks she's hiding her feelings, but she's doing a REALLY bad job of it.

Everything is going a-ok with my Addison's. Thanks for asking :) It's under control as long as I get enough sleep. So between work and class, there isn't a ton of study time since I can't stay up until the wee hours of the night. But I'm surviving. My As might drop to Bs (ok,,clinical is definitely going to be a B) but not too shabby.

[Madras]

Keep calm and carry on

As I recall Steph you've been going through a lot, health wise, work, school etc. I'm glad to see your still in it to win it!

I'm having a bit of a rough semester too, just flunked my first test in NS ever!!! Started a new job in the hospital of my dreams working nights, it's been awesome and not so awesome at times, especially when my own health issues require that I get decent sleep time so I don't trigger. I just breathe and remember I'm one semester away and with one less thing to worry about, finding a job.

We're al cheering you on!! 3 more weeks!! ((HUGS))

[i♥words]

I hadn't read this thread until today. I can so relate! Most of the time I feel like an idiot at clinicals. I only have three weeks of clinicals left too, and I am excitedly crossing off the days. I know the time will fly! Keep at it.

[NICUmiiki, DNP, NP]

Steph! This is your 3rd semester right? Only one more left for you. Take that winter break, relax and regroup. You can do it!