Nervous about Starting Clinicals?

Ok, so I've been in school for about 6 or 7 weeks. We've learned everything from giving bedbaths to administerating medications. I've passed all by exams with a B and I've passed all of my check offs. We start clinicals in about two weeks and I'm terrified!!!!! We had a care mapping lecture today and it all seemed overwheliming. We have so much to do the night before we go to the hospital and then when we get to the hospital. I think I may need someone to actually knock on the patient's door for me and push me in otherwise I won't get in there to do my initial assessment.

Anyone else nervous about their first day of clinicals?

Anyone experienced with clinicals and have suggestions on how to deal with the nervousness and anxiety?

[sabRN2b05, BSN, RN]

Ok, so I've been in school for about 6 or 7 weeks. We've learned everything from giving bedbaths to administerating medications. I've passed all by exams with a B and I've passed all of my check offs. We start clinicals in about two weeks and I'm terrified!!!!! We had a care mapping lecture today and it all seemed overwheliming. We have so much to do the night before we go to the hospital and then when we get to the hospital. I think I may need someone to actually knock on the patient's door for me and push me in otherwise I won't get in there to do my initial assessment.

Anyone else nervous about their first day of clinicals?

Anyone experienced with clinicals and have suggestions on how to deal with the nervousness and anxiety?

Take a deep breath, first of all. It's not as bad as it seems. Our first clinicals we basically just gave baths, changed beds, and did a head/toe assessment(which you can actually do some of while you're giving a bath). I take it you've not worked in healthcare before, because you wouldn't seem so anxious. Experience as a tech, nursing asst., etc. really helps when you're in nursing school.

Do you have kids or other family you've taken care of? Sort of the same concept. Think about how you'd take care of them (e.g., how you'd give them a bath, put them to bed, make them comfortable). Care plans are overwhelming when you start, but it gets easier. You're actually performing your interventions when you don't know it. It's just hard to put them in words on paper. There's a web site that I subscribe to called careplans.com. I had to pay $30 for a year subscription but it's been well worth it.

Let me know if there's something in particular that scares you and I'll try to guide you. I'm no expert, but I'm in my third semester (graduate in May!) and I've been a tech for a while, so I've been around the block some. Always glad to help a fellow student!

[RN-TO-BE]

NurseBunky, I thought I read in a post earlier that you go to Gordon College. If so, I am a sophomore nursing student there. If you have any questions, please email me at [email protected]. I will be glad to help you with anything that you don't understand.

Debbie

[landonsles]

I just had my first clinical two weeks ago. I was also very nervous about it--so much so that I thought I was going to throw up on the way to the hospital. When I first went in my patient's room, I felt so lost. But by the end of the day, I was all smiles--it went great. There's nothing that anybody can tell you that will make you feel better; you just have to get through the first day. Then you'll realize that you stressed for nothing! Good luck--you'll do great!!

[kathy_79]

bunky first time is always the worth one. i was so nervous before my first clinicals even if i work as cna. i was thinking if i have enough info about my patient if my clinical assigment is well done, i spend 5 hours doing it night before. next one are better because you know what is going on and you know what info you need to look for. the most important are medical diagnose (why patient is there), lab values, medication, admition record and at least last assessment form (day before or current), any additional tests (x-ray, ecg, eeg).

but first find out what your instructor want you to get, he/she will score you for that.

i do not have to learn all meds till 5th week of clinicals, but my other friends have to know all at second clinacals, so you need to follow what your instructor say to do.

good luck, :)

[Maggie in NC]

WOW Bunky!! Look how far you've come since the beginning of the school year! You're doing awesome! Keep up the good work.

[OBRNinTN]

I am starting my clinicals too, and I am incredibly nervous. We had our orientation to our clinical site last week, and my stomach was in knots just visiting! I've never been a CNA, so I don't really have any experience with the basics, but I was a neurophysiology tech for years, so I had direct pt contact all day every day...but for some reason, this is really freaking me out.

I just feel like I am going to make 1000 mistakes, and the poor pt will be able to tell, or that my previously cast iron stomach is going to fail me at the most inopportune time.

Thanks for starting this thread, at least we all seem to be experiencing this at the same time!

Christy

[RedSox33RN]

I can't begin to tell you how nervous I was going to the hospital for my first clinical day. I was almost PRAYING to get into a fender-bender! LOL

There are 2 CNA's in our group, and they both helped greatly. They said to just walk into the room after knocking loudly (it may be early, so they may be dozing) and introduce yourself. Ask how they slept, do they need to use the bathroom (check I&O orders first), and do they want to wash up a little before b-fast (of course, none of this if contraindicated for their condition, but you'll know that in advance anyway). Know WHAT you are going to say to the client before you go in the first time. Pretend your an actress/actor - rehearse your lines, in front of the mirror at home if need be. Smile.

God's honest truth - I have 4 kids, but I was so scared the first day I was going to have to deal with feces. It doesn't scare me, but I just thought I was going to embarrass myself or client by gagging at the smell or something. So I'm just about to my client's door the first day, and a nurse stops me and asks if I'm Mrs's XX's student nurse. I say yes, and she hands me a big bag of Depends. "She needs these now, as she needs to use the bedside commode, and she's incontinent of stool." No time to be nervous - the client needed me. I went in, and did what I was taught. I even told the client, "You know how these fit you best, so I'll take the lead from you at first with putting them on the most comfortable way for YOU." (she had a J-P drain).

Each week has gotten easier. Not every client has been as needy, some just want to sleep (it's an Oncology floor), but when I have nothing to do for my client (we started doing databases for each this week, so that does take up a lot of time), I offer to help my fellow students. Some weeks I have a more "complicated" client, some weeks others do.

All I can tell you is, yes, you will be nervous, but the rehearsal really does help! And it does get easier each passing time you see your client, and again with each passing week.

[Truly_Blessed]

OMG! YES! I am soooo nervous about clinicals and they are still a month away! I just want to get the ball rolling as far as clinicals are concerned....I think it's the wait that's killing me.

[Diane M]

Tuesday will be my first hands-on patient care day of clinical. Last week I was the "communicator" for our group of 3. I was liasson between the 2 caregivers in our group and the patient's CNA at LTC facility. Didn't go well. The CNA had a real bad attitude toward student nurses. As of Friday my CI still hadn'd decided whether to give me the same patient. She said she's reluctant to take any patient who is assigned to this same CNA, that's how bad she was. Upshot is, I'm absolutely terrified. Have to do AM care and head-toe assessment. Any advice? I'm so freaked out, I'm not even sure what to do first. HELP!

Ok, so I've been in school for about 6 or 7 weeks. We've learned everything from giving bedbaths to administerating medications. I've passed all by exams with a B and I've passed all of my check offs. We start clinicals in about two weeks and I'm terrified!!!!! We had a care mapping lecture today and it all seemed overwheliming. We have so much to do the night before we go to the hospital and then when we get to the hospital. I think I may need someone to actually knock on the patient's door for me and push me in otherwise I won't get in there to do my initial assessment.

Anyone else nervous about their first day of clinicals?

Anyone experienced with clinicals and have suggestions on how to deal with the nervousness and anxiety?

[mitchsmom]

I have finally started clinicals after going part time for a year, and I'm just so glad to finally be "in there"!! I'm no pro or anything but here are some ideas:

Just try to relax and jump in with both feet forward- this is what you are in the nursing program for!

It won't be as bad as you think.

Stay busy and volunteer to do things when your instructor asks.

If you are strained for conversation with a patient, start questions with "so, tell me about... (how you are feeling, yourself, how you slept last night, where you lived before here, your family, your job, etc. etc.).

Find the helpful/knowledgeable/open staff members and stick to them like glue, be a sponge.

Have to do AM care and head-toe assessment. Any advice? I'm so freaked out, I'm not even sure what to do first.

I am in LTC also and I've been taking a little checklist for my clipboard so I'll remember everything. The facility also has a general outline of the days events/routine for the CNA's that we got a copy of. Would you be allowed to keep something like that until you get more comfortable with it?

That sucks that you got a bad CNA, good ones do help a lot. If the instructor is open to moving you, let her. You could always bring bribery for the CNA... some kind of treat or something to try and get her in a good mood/ on your side. She may be insecure, if it seems that way you could try showing that you respect her knowledge by asking her things that she can help you with, asking her opinion on something, etc. (although I know she may just be a biddy and doesn't want anyone around period...???).

[Diane M]

Thanks for the advice, Mitchsmom. I do have an assessment chart that I'll take in with me.

And to you, NurseBunky, sorry to hear that you are feeling so nervous. You would be abnormal NOT to be nervous. Four of my classmates were in tears just on our orientation day, due to nerves! I think part of the problem in my class is that it is sooooo accelerated (only 10 months long, full time). It's moving along more quickly than we are comfortable with. No matter how much time you spend in lab practicing, it's just not the same and I don't think anybody feels that they are really ready to handle a live patient instead of a dummy. Oh well, no choice but to jump in with both feet, like Mitchsmom says. All we can do is practice, study, and be prepared. Good luck to you!

I have finally started clinicals after going part time for a year, and I'm just so glad to finally be "in there"!! I'm no pro or anything but here are some ideas:

Just try to relax and jump in with both feet forward- this is what you are in the nursing program for!

It won't be as bad as you think.

Stay busy and volunteer to do things when your instructor asks.

If you are strained for conversation with a patient, start questions with "so, tell me about... (how you are feeling, yourself, how you slept last night, where you lived before here, your family, your job, etc. etc.).

Find the helpful/knowledgeable/open staff members and stick to them like glue, be a sponge.

I am in LTC also and I've been taking a little checklist for my clipboard so I'll remember everything. The facility also has a general outline of the days events/routine for the CNA's that we got a copy of. Would you be allowed to keep something like that until you get more comfortable with it?

That sucks that you got a bad CNA, good ones do help a lot. If the instructor is open to moving you, let her. You could always bring bribery for the CNA... some kind of treat or something to try and get her in a good mood/ on your side. She may be insecure, if it seems that way you could try showing that you respect her knowledge by asking her things that she can help you with, asking her opinion on something, etc. (although I know she may just be a biddy and doesn't want anyone around period...???).