Need advice re: expectations during clinicals

Nursing Students General Students

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Specializes in None.

Right now I am having problems; I sure could use some guidance about now. After clinicals today I just wanted to come home and cry (my instructor is also retired military nurse). I don’t seem to have the “typical” problems in school that I read about on here. I don’t have a problem with the school work; I even help out my fellow students with studies. I also do pretty well with the procedures and care plans. I seem to have the problems with what is expected from you at what level in clinicals. If anyone out there could help with this, I sure would appreciate it. I just feel like somewhere my critical thinking train of thought must be derailing quite a bit. I swear, I have never had so many problems with decision making and not on the big stuff. It is the little stuff that’s killing me. Believe me, I sure would love to have an instructor that would take the time to guide instead of embarrass the living **** out of me.

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Specializes in RETIRED Cath Lab/Cardiology/Radiology.

Moved to General Nursing Student Discussions area.

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Sometimes we have problems with instructors that are not professional, but don't let that get you out of character just because they are being a bit nasty. Yes you will cry, but remember this you will graduate!!! It is hard to think critically when a grisly bear is trying to eat you. Your train of thought gone, epi is kicking in and boom that is it! Try to focus on wearing that nursing pin and waving bye to that instructor. It will be all over so hang in there. "Weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning." (Psalms 30:5) You can do this Patricia1101!!!

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Specializes in None.

Thanks, care4u2010, I need all the encouragement I can get.:hgu:

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Specializes in Med/Surg, L&D.

I have to say that every clinical, every instructor and even every individual day have different levels of expectations. The instructor is probably intimidating and makes you nervous, I know I get that way with the tough as nails instructors. Just remember Q-TIP (quit taking it personally). It doesn't reflect on your ability to become a great nurse. Your instructor is probably of the school of thought that believes in the tough love method of teaching. Reinterpret her nastiness into constructive criticism. What could you have done differently? Is there any reason that she reacted that way? How can you slow down your thought process to allow for smooth critical thinking under pressure? Unfortunately, you are stuck with the instructor. And you can't make her change, but you can change your reactions to her harshness. Don't take this as me being critical of you at all! I had the same reaction at first to a not-so-personable instructor. After many tears, I finally realized that I only had control over my own reactions to it. And it has made a big difference in what I get out of my clinical experiences.

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I too have the same issue right now with my clinicals round. I know exactly how you are feeling. My instructor last semester embrassed me in front of the nurses and nursing students during clinical for something small and something that was her fault not mine. Just remember we are on the bottom of the food chain here. I'm not staying that you should not cry but I'm saying stay true to your goals.

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

Can't give you guidance or help if you don't tell us what these specific problems are that you are having in clinical.

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Specializes in None.

Thanks all for your help; I have problems with self confidence when it comes to little things that are not directly dealing with the patients. One example: We are always told you have to leave your clinical area on time; you have to make sure you finish everything to be out on time…on time…on time….on time. This last clinical, my instructor said she could only take back two students at a time to check in a neonate into the nursery. As she is leaving she says that today she will take “student A and B then tomorrow it will be my turn and I will be one-on-one with her”. I had the feeling we were pretty much wrapping up the day. So while they are off doing their thing I was in my newborn’s mother’s room doing my teaching. I finish with my teaching, look at my watch it’s almost 1400 (my clinicals end at 1345). My first thought is “Oh, crap, I’m late!” I rush back over to the nursery…no one there except for the unit secretary. I ask her where everyone is…she didn’t know; since there were no babies in the nursery, the nurses were over in Delivery or Postpartum or break downstairs. I ask if she had seen my instructor, she says no. I go back over to Postpartum to find one of our other instructors. I go up to that nurse’s station, they tell me that they left about an hour perhaps an hour and a half. My only thought is I am in deep trouble for staying too long. So I got changed and left. The next morning first thing my instructor pulls me into a room and tells me that I’m in trouble for leaving early without being dismissed. Here I’m thinking I’m going to be in trouble for staying and it’s the other way around. Long story short, I think I might be kicked out for leaving a clinical area without being dismissed….not for my grades, not for med errors, or other major stuff. She even asked if I were a nurse would just up and leave without replacement. Well, no, of course not, but I wouldn’t get in trouble for staying to wrap things up either. Critical thinking train of thought derailed again.

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