I am new to this site. My name is Alli. I am wondering if what I am feeling during clinicals is normal. I do pretty well in class, but when it comes to being out on the floor, I feel overwhelmed and I feel like I should know more than I do. I am no prior medical experience whatsoever and most of the class does so I have been telling myself that that is the problem. Everyone else seems to jump right on their patients and I dread it in a way because, like I said, I feel like I should know a lot more and 2) I am afraid of making a mistake. Has anyone else ever felt this way and does this ever get better?
I had the same feelings when I started clinicals 3 months ago. Now I have only 9 more months of clinicals to go and i'm still nervous when I arrive at the site. My classmates tell me that I always look like I have it all together and that I know what I'm doing but nothing could be further than the truth. My instructors told me that nervousness is a good thing because that way you don't become overly confident and cocky. It's easy to make mistakes when you've become cocky which is why I remain as humble as possible.
I'm a new LPN. I had hard instructors and hard clinical nurses. Sometimes its sink or swim. You probably know more than you realize. Take a deep breath and just do it. Have confidence in yourself and your patients will have confidence in you. Good luck!
I too was very nervous at the beginning and felt, well, stupid. What I did was get an extern job which gave me a lot more experience. Now ... clinicals are a breeze.
I can remember 4 or 5 months ago when I wrote an almost exact post as yours. Things will get easier and you will feel more comfortable. Listening to all the replys I received gave me the support I needed. This is a great group of people. Good luck to you and hang in there.
Hello All,
I am new to this site. My name is Alli. I am wondering if what I am feeling during clinicals is normal. I do pretty well in class, but when it comes to being out on the floor, I feel overwhelmed and I feel like I should know more than I do. I am no prior medical experience whatsoever and most of the class does so I have been telling myself that that is the problem. Everyone else seems to jump right on their patients and I dread it in a way because, like I said, I feel like I should know a lot more and 2) I am afraid of making a mistake. Has anyone else ever felt this way and does this ever get better?
Clinicals can be challenging. It depends on your instructor, if they really want what is best for the students; as well, it depends on the nurses on the floor and whether they welcome students or loath the thought of teaching someone. Being nervous is normal and often times misinterpreted. As someone else said, try not to let it get in your way! Be confident but humble. I am always second guess anything I say as people can make it into anything they want to. Good luck to everyone who is @ this stage of the game. l4 weeks and counting!!
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
Oh, yeah, I went through it and still do, actually. I can respect a nurse that is afraid rather than someone who will just dive in without caution. These are people's lives at stake and they are trusting us to make the best judgements. You can only do that by experience. It does take time...much time.
Do the best you can, and in most cases, the clinical instructors are understanding. Just make sure that you show interest, and ask questions. This will show that you are taking your education seriously. Do nothing until you know you are trained in what the skill is, or know what medications you are about to administer.
You may also be afraid when you finally obtain your license. I notice with myself that bookwise, I know, but I have to improve on my observational skills, and I have been a nurse for over a year, now. But, I make sure that I ask questions and have my own personal resources. I carry my PDA that has a drug guide, Taber's Dictionary and Disease with Nursing Interventions on it. And I am not ashamed to say to the patient that I have to look up something I am unfamiliar with. Good luck.
rnlately
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I had the same feelings when I started clinicals 3 months ago. Now I have only 9 more months of clinicals to go and i'm still nervous when I arrive at the site. My classmates tell me that I always look like I have it all together and that I know what I'm doing but nothing could be further than the truth. My instructors told me that nervousness is a good thing because that way you don't become overly confident and cocky. It's easy to make mistakes when you've become cocky which is why I remain as humble as possible.
Hang in there, i'm sure you'll do fine.