Needing words of encouragement

Published

Specializes in Cardiac and Medical ICU.

Gentlemen,

I have only posted on here a few times. Most of the time, I just enjoy reading these posts. I started a fast track program on May 21st for a 10-week "boot camp" known as the sophomore year. Next week will conclude the boot camp. I have been in clinicals now for 6 weeks. Tomorrow (July18) being the last day for clinicals. I have gotten to do many skills during these first few weeks of clinicals. I have learned much but I will admit I have not learned as much, or even a majority, of the information that has been thrown at me. And I use the word "thrown" as an accurate description.

I have done skills correctly that have boosted my self confidence only to have to torn down again the next week. Today was one of those "take you down a peg or two" days. I finally got to do a wet-to-dry dressing on a patient. Something that I have wanted to do for sometime. With the instructor and 2 other students over my back, I got to work..knowing exactly what to do. And then one by one...I started screwing things up. I broke sterile technique at least 4 times, my instructor had a comment every 2 seconds, and by the time I was ready to pack the wound, I was so flustered I couldn't remember anything. I feel like I could have come off the street and done a better job than I did.

These past 2 months have been pure hell. And I say pure hell in the sense that the work has been overwhelming not in the sense that I hate this job. And yes, I know i signed up for the fast track but I need to know it'll get better. After today, I felt as if I had learned nothing in the past 2 months.

It's just been a discouraging day and I needed to vent. I have 7 days left of this summer. 1 day of clinical, and mon-thur of next week are 3 comprehensive finals, a full physical assessment and a practicum involving trach care, ng insertion, foley insertion, ivpbs, and sq injections are all that's left.

P.S. If I find the person that invented a care plan, their diagnosis will be fear r/t oncoming death aeb me hunting them down!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).

Yes, this hell will come to an end... You'll find that all the trouble your instructors are giving you will only make you a better and more careful nurse, even if you don't agree with their methods. Hang in there... you sound like you'll be a great addition to our merry band someday!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac Care.
If I find the person that invented a care plan, their diagnosis will be fear r/t oncoming death aeb me hunting them down!

Totally hear you. I've said loudly and often that this individual should be shot. But look how it's helped your critical thinking skills...!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

just keep at it, its all over soon, i feel your pain.... but the good news is the light is at the end of the tunnel

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds, PICU, Home health, Dialysis.

Just keep on telling yourself that: "...and this too shall pass..."

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in MICU/SICU.

richwv, we all know where you're coming from. I just graduated from 1 year of accelerated hell on earth. I'm now working, still have not done a proper dressing change, or put in a foley catheter, or put in an NG tube... here are some things I've learned since starting work.

1) working as an RN is 100 times better than being a student nurse

2) school emphasizes paperwork, and while it is very important (don't wanna get sued or lose your license), you'll find that it isn't as bad once you start working

3) once you graduate, find a good hospital with a good new-grad orientation program, you'll learn EVERYTHING you need to know there

4) every school is different, but personally, the majority of nursing instructors suck ass. don't let their attitudes bring you down

so the bad news, nursing school is lame and the instructors are tards, especially the fast track programs. the good news, the passion with which I hated nursing school is equal to the passion with which I love being a working RN.

Hang in there, buddy. Becoming a great nurse takes a life-time of experience and dedication, it's okay to make mistakes, that's what rotations & internships are all about.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

School is tough yeah, but it's the only way you're going to become an RN. Just think, every RN out there has went through some form of school to get to where they are. And you do learn a lot of the fundamentals in school and being your knowledge base.

But like some people have been saying: you do learn a lot in school, but you learn everything you need to know once you start working in the real world.

Just keep at it. Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg.

Hang in there. There are going to be those days, especially that first year when you're going to feel like a total incompetent dope. You just have to pick yourself up do it all over again.

If it's any consequence, I was teaching trach suctioning to a student and she broke the sterile field so many times, I thought she'd run out of the room screaming. It happens. It teaches us good technique and makes us conscientious. When you're on your own doing a dressing and you break sterile field and no one is looking you'll think back on today....."I learned in school to start over......." :)

Good luck. Accellerated programs are rough with a capital R. I couldn't do it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

:balloons:hang in there, we have one guy and twenty-four females in our nursing class, i would really hate to be him, or you for that matter. don't let anyone discourage you, some of the best nurses i have worked with are male, be proud of what you have chosen.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in SICU, MICU, CICU, NeuroICU.

Um, since when do W-D dressings have to be sterile?

But hang in there, you'll be fine, and it's almost over.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Detox, Tele.

If you're packing it, I could see why....

I think we've all been there, combined with the instructors who don't really seem like they want you to pass, and the ones who know that you're one of the better students....

We all have bad days...just vent, move on, and look forward to the day when you can walk across the stage and be done! I think the first degree is the hardest, and then you can become more comfortable with exp.....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pedi, LTC.

This is my first post,please forgive me if it isn't the appropriate thread. Speaking of encouragement.........I need some along with some answers. I have been a practicing LVN for 30 years, I'm 57 yrs old. I want to return to school but have doubts d/t my age. I'm probably going to be ready for retirement by the time I get done. I have all the prereqs for an ADN prog. from my local CC, but would like to finish about 6 prereqs that would allow me to go to UT for my BSN. Most of my immed. family is in the medical field. That's all we know(and LOVE). Could someone give me the benefit of their much valued advise?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion