Nervous about Long term care Clinical Orientation/Clinicals

ErinJane · Aug 16, 2009

I was exactly like you when I was younger but having a thin skin in nursing school, or in nursing in general, makes it harder. The instructors will try to toughen you up (if they are anything like mine). Don't be scared. You will probably make mistakes, we all do. I am a perfectionist...but you have to let a little bit slide or else you won't make it. I wish you all the luck in the world.

And LTC is a fairly low stress clinical. I think that is why so many programs start with it. And you get to see a thousand different ailments. I hope you can learn from it and enjoy it.

Good luck!

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Aug 16, 2009

don't worry about the other people in your class and how they measure up to you in terms of seriousness or maturity. just worry about yourself. that is quite enough to be concerned about.
make a plan about what to do if you make a mistake because we all make them. the only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing. as both a staff nurse and a supervisor and manager i was on both ends of this deal. here's a strategy that works pretty well although may be a bit painful each time you have to go through it:
- if possible, admit the mistake before it is discovered by someone else. this is not always going to happen. it is usually far worse to deliberately hide what you did and get discovered hiding it. just fess up because in the long run you gain ethical points. if a deliberate cover-up gets discovered it is very difficult to live down that reputation.
- the minute one of your mistakes is pointed out to you or you report a mistake you've made--apologize and be sincere, regretful and take responsibility for it. don't blame others and don't make all kinds of excuses for why the mistake happened.
- next, and this is most important, show your concern and care by asking what you could have done to have prevented the mistake so it won't happen again. ask for help in this determination if necessary. accept all advice and help graciously (it may even be in the form of discipline) that is offered. don't drag your heels about making amends. give thorough feedback to your instructor asap. it shows that you are serious, concerned about the error, sincere about correcting yourself and taking responsibility.
- don't forget to handle any fallout. if your mistake caused any kind of upset make sure you follow-up and set things right with all the people involved. let anyone else who might have been involved in an incident know what has ended up happening. it increases their confidence in you.
- when its all over you'll be able to sleep when you put your head on the pillow at night and think about what you learned from the situation. although you made a mistake you should have learned something far more important out of the mistake. so, after it is all over, focus on the positive fallout.

Nightingale11 · Aug 16, 2009

Thanks so much for taking your time to write all of this Erin and Daytonite.

I really hope that everything goes as planned. I dont like the unexpected or surprises.

I could also REALLY see my professors trying to toughen me up, 1 of them already know that Im a softy.......she's seen me cry. :)

My biggest problem will be being disciplined.......Ive never been good at it. I mean, I dont blame people or anything, just hurts my feelings I guess, really makes me feel bad. Im really going to have to get over that.

LifelongDream · Aug 17, 2009

During nursing school, I made a med error. I was devastated and went to my instructors to report what I had done. I told them how sorry I was and what had happened. I was crying my eyes out and terrified I had hurt my patient. :cry:After telling them that I would accept whatever punishment was coming to me, including being kicked out of the program, they told me that they were very impressed with my proactive approach. The fact that I came forward to tell them about it before they heard from someone else was a very big plus. They went on to say that at one time or another ALL nurses have made a med error, whether they are aware of it or not. The important thing to remember was that the patient was okay.

I learned alot that day about being honest and taking what was coming to me. It felt very good to go home after that happened and know that I had done the right thing and that I was not the only nurse that had ever made a mistake. In most cases, the instructors are there to help you:heartbeat, not out to get you!!! Don't fret. I'm sure you will make a great nurse someday! :yeah: