This is my first post, and I apologize if it isn't in the right area! :)
I am a 22 yr. old nursing student. I have only been in my nursing program for 5 weeks, and my program is aimed at attaining an associates degree w/ an N.L.N. accreditation in 2 years. I am a very good student and find myself completely overwhelmed by everything that has happened thus far.
We started clinicals on week 2, and I would say that most of my stress is derived from my lack of clinical experience. I am a big ball of nerves whenever I enter the hospital. I have never even changed a baby's diaper--let alone an adult's. I find that something as simple as changing an occupied bed or bathing a patient gets me incredibly anxious and nervous. This feeling has been continuous throughout my 1 month of clinical experience. (We practice the skills in class a day before we go into the hospital to get tested on them.)
Since I am so incredibly stressed and find myself crying everyday when I get home from the hospital, I am questioning what my next move should be...
A-Continue with my program despite the fact that I am uncomfortable in the clinical setting as of now and find myself in tears every time I come home from clinicals. (ASN-2yr-NLN Accreditation.)
B-Withdraw myself from my current program and transfer to the university's program in Spring (provided that I made the cut w/ a 3.8 GPA) where I can get a semester in pharmacology & patho-physiology, and lots of in skills practice time before entering the clinical setting in semester 2. (BSN-3yr program-no NLN accreditation.)
C-Withdraw myself from the program and get a job being a CNA for 3 months to see if it is something I can potentially be comfortable with before entering the university's program.
D-Withdraw myself from nursing all together because the likelihood of me getting comfortable with clinical skills is unlikely? (Need advice on whether or not others have experienced this.)
Please provide me with any advice. I am in a really difficult situation right now. I have the spot in a nursing program that people have tried years to get and I got it on my first try. If I leave the program--I obviously can't go back. If I stay, I may potentially be making myself even more unhappy. There is a small chance that if I transferred to the university's program, I might not get in if a bunch of 4.0 students apply. I have never been so stressed out--losing sleep, not working out, eating poorly, experiencing poor relationships with the ones that I love, etc.
I feel like I am blabbing, but any advice would be greatly appreciated!
I just typed out a big reply and my computer went a little crazy on me! Grrrr! *Punches the air* :)
I just wanted to thank you all for your advice and support. I logged on here a while ago, and reading all of the replies has given me the first smile of the day! (IT WAS A REALLY BIG ONE.) I was hesitant as to whether or not I should post my situation, and I am very glad that I have done so. I really appreciate all of the support on here, because it is hard to find support from others that don't understand the magnitude of nursing school and everything that accompanies it. I hope this isn't too soon but, "I love you all!"
As for now, I am not going to make any abrupt decisions. I want to make big decisions when I have my head on straight and I lack the ball of emotions. I have spoken with my success coordinator ad we concluded that to get me through tomorrow, I am going to follow a nurse or HSA in clinicals. We figured such an action may help me alleviate some of the stress for now, and it seems like a great option as long as my instructor agrees. I am just going to have to continue taking all of this on one day at a time with the mentality of "I AM A STUDENT and I CAN'T POSSIBLY KNOW EVERYTHING." (I hope this can help me get through the stress.)
Extra Tidbit: Regarding option A, I would transfer to the university upon getting the ASN, anyway. (FOR THE BSN.)
...If anyone else reading has some great insight or advice, please feel free to post. I need all of the support and motivation I can get. Thank you in advance!!
I graduated nursing school not too long ago, and have been on orientation for a few weeks- and I still feel your pain! I know the nursing assistants laugh at me under their breath when I am helping them bathe one of my patients b/c I am such a spaz when it comes to bed baths, changing beds, etc. I am planning to spend some time with them on orientation so I can learn what may seem like basic skills to some, but what I find one of the most stressful parts of the day! Don't get me wrong, I can do it at this point, but I never do it as well as they do...
Maybe your clinical instructor would let you and the other students spend some time shadowing a nursing assistant on day 1 of clinicals? That might help make you more comfortable. They can teach you the "tricks of the trade."
don't quit. you are young and starting a career at your age will be one of the best decisions you could ever make. nursing is one of the most versatile careers available. you don't have to work in the hospital. you don't even have to do patient care if that's not what you want to do. i don't ever regret nursing school. if i wasn't a nurse i would still be making $10/hr in a miserable retail job. i thank God everday for my education. don't give up!!
Hey I'm in week 6 of a nursing program....and I'm scared during clinicals too, but I have faith that it'll get better. Most everyone in my program feels exactly the same way.
Hang in there. To be honest, it can be a dangerous thing to be an over confident nursing student. It will get better. That being said, take advantage of labs to learn your skills. Practice as much as you can, eg perform assessments on children, spouse, friends. I also practiced ambulating people. For some reason I was terrified. I would get some one to act like they could not move their leg and get them up and down. It helped my brain to think about the mechanics of it all. The more you do something the more comfortable you will feel and have true confidence. At your clinical experiences try to find the nurse that likes students. I learned so much from nurses I was not even "assigned" to. And last but not least, when you are an experienced nurse and you see the student who looks like they may pass out from fear when they set foot on the floor, remember how you feel now and take the time to smile and help them along.
This is normal! It's only been 5 weeks since you started... give yourself time. Honestly, It does get better. I remember my first clinical weekend. There was so little to do that we actuallyl asked the nurses if we could toilet the residents and make beds. I never changed a baby's diaper, but then I found out I had to change adults! Yikes! The first few were pitiful (had to get paper tape to tape the tabs down to get them to stick), but the more I did it, the better I got. I even got a compliment from an RN of many years of service when I got pulled to another floor. Also, don't be so hard on yourself. You're still learning, and that takes time too. Good luck! :)
Please don't quit. It does get better. I remember the first time I had to give someone a bed bath I was terrified. I was afraid of embarrassing the patient and i felt so bad about it. Now it is so normal for me to do it. I got a job as an aide in a hospital and feel comfortable giving someone a bed bath now. We have all been there. I know it is so hard when you have classmates that are aides. The first few weeks they may be a bit ahead of you in skills but it will all even out very quickly. When you are only in clinical for 1 or 2 days a week it is hard to get used to doing things.
Remeber that you have your own unique gifts to bring to the table. Maybe you communicate well with your patients. Patients like nurses who are down to earth and friendly. It puts them at ease. If you have elderly patients they really like to talk and may appreciate a student nurse who has more time to spend with them.
Remember to be kind with your patients. They will remember your kindness and probably will not even be aware that you didn't give them a "perfect" bath. Kindness and empathy go a long way in making a sick patient feel good. And please remember to be kind to yourself. I am also a student nurse. I am in my 3rd semester of a 4 year program and I too feel inadequate with the new skills we are learning (I.V. Meds, foleys, etc). I understand where you are coming from. Everyone feels the same way.
Take it one clinical at a time and before you know it you will be a pro at some of the things you are having trouble with now. as nursing students we tend to be hard on ourselves because most of us are type A personalities.
Please stick with it if you really want to be a nurse. These 2 years will be tough but they fly by quickly. December will be here before you know it.
Nursing school is incredibly stressful, especially when you have no previous patient care experience. Clinicals was the most difficult part of school for me! I'm just not very "hands-on", practical, mechanically-minded. You would have laughed if you saw me give my first bed bath - it took all day (yes - and I had a cheat sheet in my pocket where I had written all 40 steps for a proper bed bath listed in my Foundations text :imbar Need I add that nobody does it that way in real life? But I had no clue, of course). As for hospital corners - no can do. I was horrified when I started my current job and found out that the hospital has no fitted sheets - I couldn't make a decent hospital corner if my life depended on it! :chair:
Anyway, even I made it through school (and beyond ). I had no academic problems at all, but clinicals were difficult. When I had to drop out after my second nursing semester for personal reasons, I used the time to get my CNA certificate and took a job in a nursing home; that's the best thing I ever did, and when I returned to my BSN program, clinicals didn't bother me at all. And while I certainly don't advise that you drop out, I think it would be a great idea for you to take a job as a nursing assistant or "extern" (student nurses who work as aides; they are allowed to do more than CNAs) after this semester. It just takes practice and experience!
Don't give up, it will get better. You are not the only one in your program who has no prior experience, I guarantee you. And many students feel exactly the way you do.
hang in there!!!! learning something new is stressful, I know your scared, but dont give up you (WILL)regret it in the long run. Just tell yourself you can do it, be yourself, ask lots of questions, even if you think it is stupid, There are alot of people going through the same thing you are, clinicals scare them to death. you are so fortunate to be in a program now, here where i live waiting list are 2 to 3 years or even longer. just roll up your sleeves and get in there. Iam a cna student in my last week of class. one of my class mates on the first day of clinicals, freaked out almost in tears, but each day it got easier, and easier now its a peice of cake. dont throw away this opportunity, give it time, and be determined;)
leslie :-D
11,191 Posts
please believe us, when we tell you we understand.
soooo many of us have been where you are.
your feelings are not only normal, but to be expected.
yes, there are people in your class that 'seem' to handle clinicals with more grace and confidence.
do not compare yourself to anyone else.
you are a unique individual, and it is these variances that will make you a one-of-a-kind-nurse.
having been where you are, i would strongly encourage you to continue crying, vomiting and losing sleep, while pursuing your dreams.
one day, you will appreciate the guts and glory it took to complete this program.
it has only been 5 weeks.
give yourself (and time) a chance.
vent w/2-3 others in your class.
share the miseries and rejoice in your victories.
you CAN do this.
believe in yourself and everything you strive to be.
only the best to you.
leslie