Nervous about clinical placement

Nursing Students Student Assist

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I'm a div 2 nursing student about to go on my first acute placement. Last time I went on placement (in an aged care facility) I was so nervous about it I nearly passed out. I couldnt concentrate on what my clinical teacher was saying and was shaking and had the sweats. It was horrible. By the next day, and when I started getting into it I was fine, nursing the residents with confidence and passed my placement with flying colours.

Now that my acute placement is coming up I can fill the nervousness beginning to set in again. Do you have any tips to get over this nervousness? I've even considered an anti-anxiety medication or the first few days, just to calm down and not feel like I'm going to fall to the floor any second...

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Specializes in Private Practice- wellness center.

Concentrate on what it is that is triggering the nervousness for you and figure out WHY it causes you to be so worried about the rotation. If you can figure out your trigger, you can reason (or think critically, lol) with yourself as to why you shouldn't be so worried about it. HTH! :D

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I'm pretty sure it's the responsibility that's placed upon me, I think need time to adjust before actually nursing patients. It's overwhelming...

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Specializes in Infectious Disease, Neuro, Research.

I don't know what your clinical setting will be, but you aren't taking over patients- you're making friends.

I'm not making light of the responsibility, nor am I suggesting going into a room and starting a conversation about the latest American Idol, followed by a belching contest.:D

Fundamentally, you're there to "meet people where they are". Determining what their developmental crisis is, and how this relates to their physical condition was (is!)always a big help to me. Determining this will allows you to assess their readiness for learning, readiness for theraputic regimen, at risk for_____, etc., etc.. Sound familiar?;) Makes things more manageable.

If you're still antsy, there's nothing wrong with a benadryl or something else that is (largely) non-diminishing to your capacity.

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What is it that makes you nervous about it?

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