Need major advice about several things relating to clinical!

brillohead, ADN, RN · May 25, 2012

Could you get a part-time job as a CNA or "aide" or "tech" somewhere? People who are exceedingly familiar with that basic stuff seem much more confident in clinicals, and it would also help you become more adept at talking with strangers, etc.

Wave Watcher · May 25, 2012

Okay, I can relate to issue #2.

I am 40yrs old and have stuttered all my life. I never went to ST because my parents didn't want me to feel "different". They wanted me to grow into who I was without being self aware about my stuttering. Well, I appreciate their thoughts but ST would have been nice. lol So, I have had to develop my own techniques to help control my stuttering. As you have said, my stuttering worsens when under stress and being tired either physically or mentally. Most people have no idea I stutter because I can control it through different techniques that work for me. Such as....deep breath before I talk, talking with a softer voice, slowing down my speech, pronouncing my words very deliberately.....and if all else fails......just do what Mel Tillis does.....SING IT OUT! lol (you may be too young to know who he is)

You will be an excellent nurse! Don't let your stuttering control you!

allnurses Guide · May 25, 2012

I, too, can be rather shy and stutter under stress or tired.

Once I had such a hard time getting my thought out, I blurted, "Welp, Porky Pig is here" and got a good laugh. That is my trick to breaking the awkwardness created by my stutter. Make 'em laugh!

It's almost like my brain is waaaaaaay ahead of my mouth so I slow myself down. Sometimes I may sound very staccato, but I deliberately pronounce each word.

Looking up at Wave Watcher's post, I see they do the same thing.

I made it through school and I am working as a nurse and verbally interacting constantly throughout my day. I forgive myself if I start to stutter and I don't let it embarrass me anymore... because that just made it worse.

Just teach yourself to slow down.

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · May 25, 2012

1. I still don't really consider myself "good" at the small talk with patients. Some of the nurses I work with are great at initiating conversations and quickly building rapport with clients. I still find myself focused on the "business side" of my work. But as I become more and more comfortable performing my tasks, I find that it's easier to make light conversation. I'm sure you'll find this begins to happen to you as you grow more competent with your nursing skills.

Sometimes it's helpful (and it sounds cheesy) to pre-plan some small talk. Mention the weather, what the patient thinks about the cafeteria food, how comfortable the hospital beds are, what was on the news this morning (if you see the patient watching the news), etc. Just avoid religion and politics.

I also think I was a little uncomfortable as a student because I didn't feel like I had a real purpose for the patient. They had a nurse who was going to do all the same stuff I was going to do, so I often felt in the way. I often thought that I would bother the patient by completing all of the tasks I had to complete. But now that I am an RN, and the patient's primary nurse, I feel that I have a real purpose and reason for being in the room, and I feel much less awkward. So I'm not sure if it's that you're really shy, but rather than you feel awkward being in the student nurse role.

2. Now you know better than anyone that having a stutter does not mean that you are stupid or a bad nurse! We all struggle with one thing or another, and yours happens to be stuttering. If you feel that you should speak to someone about it, then that's fine, but in the meantime, don't let it affect how you perceive yourself.

I find that being as organized as possible helps me communicate most clearly during report, with doctors, post-conference, etc. If you have to, write detailed notes about your patient and what you want to report off to the next shift. Make a "brain sheet" for each patient with assessment details, medications, and any pertinent information to their care. If you have it all down in front of you, you're less likely to forget something and more likely be comfortable during the communication.

Self confidence will come with experience, but let me tell you that there is NOTHING wrong with lacking a little self-confidence when you're a student. In fact, few things scare me more than a nursing student who thinks they know how to do everything.

3. Now this IS something that you can address. If you feel you are lacking in your clinical skills- then come up with ways to get more practice. Ask family and friends if you can practice your assessments on them. Listen to as many heart and lung sounds as you can. During clinicals, communicate with your primary nurse. Ask if there is anything going on with her patients that you can do for her. If not, ask if there is anything that you can observe. Observing someone practice skills is very beneficial. Does your school have a simulation lab, or a clinical lab? If they do, spend as much time as you can in there practicing your nursing skills. Practice makes perfect. Watch instructional videos on YouTube and read your skills manual. Do not simply resign yourself to being "behind the times." You would be doing yourself a great disservice. Becoming more familiar with these skills will also help to increase your self confidence and help out with situations 1 and 2.

Remember, that you are a STUDENT! It's okay not to know everything. It's okay to have questions. It's okay not be perfect at your skills and to not feel like you're rocking every area of school. It's OKAY! You're there to learn. Nobody expects you to be the perfect nurse as a student (at least, they shouldn't). Give yourself the chance to learn these skills before you start beating yourself up over not knowing them. Make the most of every opportunity you get to observe and practice. You're going to be okay.

arl6 · May 25, 2012

Being a nursing student is not easy! (I just finished my BSN program last week) I know how you feel about clinical instructors who intimidate you which makes you anxious in general. Then when they ask you a question, that you definitely know the answer to, and seem to be impatient, it makes you that much more nervous! I definitely know how you feel about getting nervous during report. That is something that I still do not feel very confident about, and I hope to master that skill in my first nursing job!

With your feelings of being out of touch with your basic skills, I had a very similar experience. My last med surg clinical in Fall 2010. In spring 2011, I had pedi and ob. In fall 2011 I had psych, nursing research, and community. So by the time Spring 2012 came along, I felt like I lost so many of my basic skills. My senior practicum was in the ICU float pool, and by the first couple of weeks all of my skills definitely came back. I think you will be surprised with the things that you remember!

madareebrahim · May 25, 2012

wooow...thank you all for your advice! ...I am happy to know im not the only nursing student who stutters or feels behind the times...I am just sooo embarrassed by it and it just messes up my head...like I KNOW my stuff, but I feel like both of them combined makes me feel sooo stupid and it doesnt help when I get an annoyed look or people look embarrased FOR me due to the stuttering. I want to prove to them all that I can be a good nurse! I am going to try some stuttering tips/tricks but for me...theyve never workjed before...but we'll see...I'll keep my fingers crossed.

I have decided...rather on the fly to just go ahead and apply for some PCT positions for the summer at various local hospitals...if nothing else...it'll get me more comfortable with being around everyone and talk to everyone without the stress of clinicals...which I really think I need!