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!
:angryfirepressure, pressure, pressure!!! it's what makes or breaks a man!! behind all these, just remember .... "a diamond is just a chunk of coal that made good under pressure!!!"
Specializes in ED, Cardiac-step down, tele, med surg.
It's okay that you got flustered under pressure and that you made some mistakes along the way. Everyone makes some mistakes in the beginning and many people get flustered and it doesn't mean you're an idiot. It's natural to make a few mistakes under pressure.
SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN
10,263 Posts
Depends on the wound.
Good luck!