2nd Semester RN student, thinking of going to LVN..Advice?

[Sammygrll]

Hi everyone....I'm hoping I can grasp some advice and opinions here...

I'm in my second semester on an ADN program and this semesters clinical portion is taking a toll on me.

Theory wise, I'm doing ok with a B.

However, the clinical portion is another story.

We take care of 2 patients on a fast paced Med-Surge floor, once a week. Long story short, the first 2 shifts, I was a mess. It was nothing like 1st semester and I was spinning and had a full blown panic attack on the first shift. I understood my weaknesses, made a timeline and my time management imporved the next 2 weeks, ex) getting meds out on time, charting on time, etc. Unfortuntely I am still not up to par with my clinical instructor, and have failed to find the time to complete my careplans so far this semester. I've never had this problem before, of course last semester it was a much slower paced floor.

I'm so worried about getting my meds out on time, charting (its paper charting), AM care and just keeping up with the speed and not spinning, that the next thing I know, she's collecting my the careplans and of course mine aren't completed...yet again.

This is ashame....I get to bed at midnight the night before, and get to the hospital at about 4-430am that morning to "prepare" myself, and for some reason I'm still not up to speed. The entire shift, I dont eat, drink, take a break or even find the time to sue the bathroom...what the heck am I doing to not get all my tasks done on time??

My instructor recommended I look into the LVN program. At first I said no because I AM a hard worker and I want to prove to myself and to her that I CAN and will do this. However, I want to build a clinical foundation for myself, and barely tredding isn't going to cut it in the long run.

My friends/classmates think I shouldnt go into the LVN and I should stick to it, and so far I am. We have 2 more clinical days in the rotation and honestly..how much more can I prove in just 2 short weeks?

So the question is....should I concider my options? Or suck it up and show her I CAN do this?

Thank you for letting me vent. This is very helpful..

[DolceVita, ADN, BSN, RN]

Simple but it works for me. I learned it from another nurse. See attached...

Daily Plan.doc

[Sammygrll]

Thats great!! Thank you!

To get more specific, the first 2 clinicals, I was "spinning"...I took on too much and wasn't organized on that fast paced floor. I did make a timeline for each clinical day,after that and I got better with my organization, passed meds out on time, etc, but I was so consumed with all my tasks, that I didn't have time to complete my careplans...and thats unsatisfactory.

She basically says, I'm too slow and I need to be more effecient...Ok..got it..I know that...it's not like I'm twiddling my thumbs all day...I'm doing work, reassessing, charting, etc..She also says I lack on my basic fundamentals. ex) I had a pt with a new NGT order who was severly contracted and kept slouching down in bed, and I should have positioned her upright in bed, more often. Ok...I will learn from that and move on.

I'm a student, I learn, I won't make the mistakes again..and I move on. I never put anyone in harms way and always ask/double check before I do things I'm unsure of.

I also allow to let my nerves and anxiety to get the best of me...my previous clinical instructor didn't pressure us as much and I did very well. I'll get over this too.

I only have one more clinical day, on Thursday...so I'll post the results of this week! I'm going to get through this!

[BamaBeachbound78]

It sounds like your clinical instructor isn't doing their job well at instructing. All of mine have helped in times when I have been weeded. One of the key factors of working on a unit is team work! I hope you pass, and if you don't just ride it out and repeat the class if you can. I would definitely voice my concerns to whomever is above your clinical instructor. Also, ask for help!!! I am not above asking for help from instructors, fellow students or even nursing staff. A lot of nursing programs adopt the "sink or swim" mentality, which is a shame. I wish you luck and don't give up on your dreams!

[DolceVita, ADN, BSN, RN]

I completely agree with the OP about never being tagged for the same thing twice. If an instructor said "you need to do this/know this" you bet I bloody well knew before she saw me again.

You sound like you have your head screwed on well enough. You just need to get past this instructor. I really hope it works out for you.

[bella65]

I feel like you are writing my story. I just dropped from nursing school last week for the very same reason. I do great in class and exams, but am a mess in clinicals! I was basically told that I was not cutting it in clinicals. I am so stressed out, and look like a complete basket case. I am vey sad, but I think I will be looking for A LVN school now. I have no previous hospital experience and feel completely unorganized.

Think I will be moving over to the LVN threads. Sorry you feel this way. I am right there with you, but maybe the LVn route would be better to gain our confidence with less stress, and then we could eventually go back to become RN's. Hugs to you! I know exactly what you are going through and it sucks!

[Sammygrll]

I feel like you are writing my story. I just dropped from nursing school last week for the very same reason. I do great in class and exams, but am a mess in clinicals! I was basically told that I was not cutting it in clinicals. I am so stressed out, and look like a complete basket case. I am vey sad, but I think I will be looking for A LVN school now. I have no previous hospital experience and feel completely unorganized.

Think I will be moving over to the LVN threads. Sorry you feel this way. I am right there with you, but maybe the LVn route would be better to gain our confidence with less stress, and then we could eventually go back to become RN's. Hugs to you! I know exactly what you are going through and it sucks!

I'm sorry that you quit...I really hate hearing that!! I actually spoke to the LVN director, just for the heck of it, and I didn't find it encouraging at all. She said I need to take pre-reqs! What..I'm in the 2nd semester of the RN program, and you're telling me I need to take pre-reqs to go backwards!! I don't think so...I am NOT doing that....so I'm going to fight this and kick butt on my last clinical. I also am waiting to hear back from the program director. I emailed asking to meet with her...if I dont hear back, I'll knock on her door or talk to someone else...

I'm not going down without a fight...and I'm not quitting...

Have you talked to your clinical teachers? If thats what you deffinitely want to do, then good luck!

[Living4Peace]

Your instructor doesn't seem to be doing much to foster growth. The whole "walking on water" comment through me off, it sounds quite rude. If I were you I would attempt to make some sort of appeal. If you would like I can definitely pray for you. I know it doesn't sound like much, but believe me, God can work in amazing ways!!

[Sammygrll]

Your instructor doesn't seem to be doing much to foster growth. The whole "walking on water" comment through me off, it sounds quite rude. If I were you I would attempt to make some sort of appeal. If you would like I can definitely pray for you. I know it doesn't sound like much, but believe me, God can work in amazing ways!!

You are very kind. Thank you..that would be wonderful!

And yes...I am ON that! I've already emailed the program director twice, and we still haevnt met up...I'm going to talk to my councelor for some guidance (whose a nursing instructor as well).

[NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN]

Dont give up ! I'm a LPN but I would not go for LPN if I was you for the reasons you stated above. BOTH RN and LPN school is challenging. Hang in there. Prove your instructor wrong !

[Sammygrll]

Recent Update: My clinical instructor replies to my reflection email from last weeks clinical that we send out every week. She insisted I chose 1 patient this final week, and I replied with no thank you, I really want 2 so I can finish this successfull, etc.

She replies back saying that shes already putting me on a marginal (meaning Im not going to pass clinicals) and I should pick 1 so she can focus on the other students!

I am so frustrated and emotionally drained....is this normal? I honestly feel like shes putting me on the back bunner because I'm not up to speed and it's ok, because she has to help the successful students...

PS...still waiting to hear back from the program director after 2 emails...this is ridiculous...I'm hunting her down.