nervous in clinicals

[studentnur123]

hi i m a nursing student and i m about to graduate in 2 months from lpn. i have nervous and anxiety issues in clinicals. when i see people watching me i forget what i do . i always think that i don't know much in clincials.i love to learn more skills but i am a very nervous person but my instructor is very nice and helping to me.i don't want to look bad on clincials and i want to excel in what i do. my classmates makes fun of my anxiety and nervousness this affects me during clinicals and which brings down my confidence and shows as a weak person please help me. can you give me the tips how to be confident .

[Jasel, BSN, RN]

Confidence just comes with experience. Trust me it's not going to get any better when you're working on the floor by yourself and suddenly you're responsible for dozens of patients. And no instructor to go to for help. But I was always nervous in clinicals. That never changed. And when I started working it was about 8 months before I could go into work and not be nervous. But eventually you just get used to dealing with patients, family members, doctors, social workers, other nurses, and health care workers etc and will find your own footing.

And now that I'm back in nursing school in an ADN program, clinicals is the one area I'm NOT nervous about. Which is a complete 180 from my first stint getting my LPN. Now it's the quizzes and lab skill demonstrations that freak me out lol. And good luck with your upcoming graduation!

[ashh_Roxxxane]

I am about to graduate next month. I jus finished my preceptorship and let me tell you I was very nervous everyday even the last day!!! I was great with the patients I was just nervous with others watching, too! Its normal, we are not professionals yet. A bit of anxiety keeps us on our toes. I would check the MAR against the meds repeatedly like I had OCD just because I was so nervous. But I never made a med error and even caught 2! so embrace your nervousness, use it to be a good nurse. you are not alone:)