New LPN; worried about my lack of clinical experience

[baby_nurse-]

Hello, all. Recent LPN graduate here, waiting to take the NCLEX.

All throughout nursing school, I struggled with anxiety during clinicals. I just don't feel as though I have enough experience. Most of my clinicals took place at nursing homes (even during Med-Surg!), because the hospitals around here will not accept LPN students. As a result, I didn't get much experience, especially with skills related to trachs, foley caths, IVs, G-tubes, etc. Most of my experience thus far has been r/t assessments, medication administration, wound care, and general patient care.

Although I'm excited, I'm also feeling extremely apprehensive about taking care of patients with such minimal experience. What can I do in the meantime to boost my confidence?

[KMC1992]

Truly I think every nurse goes through this. I can say it's absolutely normal to have insecurities about the amount of exposure in the nursing field. You have to trust yourself and your better judgement, find yourself a mentor. Nursing is more than just skills it analytical, critical, creative thinking. You can never be prepared for every single situation, but if you have someone who can guide you and help you put things into proper perspective this will help you make better decisions for the patient's well being. Find somewhere you can volunteer, and observe join nurses online discussions. Exposure is a great way to familiarize yourself with what it takes to be a well rounded nurse.

[baby_nurse-]

Thank you! I appreciate the advice.

[Cactus Nurse]

After school, I became a caregiver part time to get exposure. That kinda helped, it just allowed me to see meds, do some pt education, see how the elderly people actually are, hoe much care they needed...

You honestly just need to get thrown in there and your instincts will take over. You will remember things you read about and then learn how to apply them....

You Tube is a new nurses best friend... If you don't feel confident about something look it up, read your books, go on pinterest and look at those cartoon images, those help, silly, but they give a good general idea of things.

We were all scared in the beginning, no one is naturally a good nurse, it comes with experience... Employers know you don't know everything, but they trust that their staff will train you well to take care of your patients...

[baby_nurse-]

Thanks so much. Gonna take your advice to heart!

[imhorsemackerel, LPN]

For Fundamentals and Geriatrics I went to the same rehab and skilled nursing facility. When I took Geriatrics on my second year, it was sad to say that standards were lower from what I witnessed before in fundamentals. Med-Surge was when I got the most experience even though that was mainly helping with bed baths. Unfortunately I didn't even get to shadow the wound care nurse when everyone else in group did. But I guess the experience is what you make of it sometimes. I was lucky enough to land a job in dialysis as a new LPN. I have established myself as the baby nurse of the group as the other nurses have prior experience.

Apply everywhere. Many places are looking for "at least 1 year of experience," so apply to assisted living facilities, rehab and skilled nursing facilities, everywhere. Even apply to places you have no interest in working for. Go for the experience and to feel comfortable. By the time you get an interview with a place that interests you, hopefully you're able to have ironed out the kinks in your resume and cover letter and feel more comfortable asking the interviewer questions. You definitely want to work in a supportive atmosphere. For this reason sites like Indeed and glassdoor can be helpful. You can see how current or previous employees felt about the particular place.