What are you most freaked out about learning in nursing school? What makes you the most nervous? I am worried about taking blood. My hands tend to shake a little, even when I am not nervous, but really bad when I am nervous. I plan to take beta-blockers in nursing school so poor patients don't have to see shakes the clown coming at them with a needle.
I have been really trying to desensitize myself to the idea of sticking a needle into someone's vein. I look at people's arms a lot and visualize calmly and gently finding a vein, making the stick, etc. I know that seems strange, but just trying to gear up for it.
For all of you experienced students - do you usually get free time in the labs to just practice and practice on the models?? Do you practice blood draws on your fellow students?
Fear of testing? Buy a NCLEX review book, most of them have instructions on how to look at nursing questions. Also many of the books have online sites with practice questions that help you get familiar with test taking. Look under the "sticky" for this forum and you may find some helpful websites.
I usually do really well on tests, even though I do experience some anxiety beforehand but I've heard so many things about tests in nursing that I'm already anxious and nervous!
I'm afraid of doing, or watching, things done to others that I can't even watch being done on TV. In real life I won't be allowed to peek through my partially opened fingers Also, the smell, sound, sight or even thought of vomit can make me gag. I'm sure hoping I can desensitize myself with both of these issues!
You all make me feel so much better. I was afraid that my worry over drawing blood meant that on the gut level, I wasn't meant to be a nurse. I kept reminding myself that any untrained person would feel uneasy at the thought of a blood draw - that is human nature - but nursing school training is what helps you learn how to do it and get past those instincts.
A funny story about IMs. I recently went to have my hep vax and overheard the RN instructing the medical assistant outside the door of the room where I was waiting on how to give the shot "be sure you get it in the muscle", she said over and over, "Oh and don't hit the bone". I was at first alarmed that this person didn't even seem to know what an IM injection was in the first place! I knew enough about the nursing school I was about to start that IMs were tricky and they we would get lots of instruction and practice before we were expected to do them. This medical assistant didn't even know what IM meant! And when I heard he nurse tell her "oh and don't hit the bone" I flew out of the exam room and made up an excuse about why I had to leave - right then! (I figured if she had to be told what IM meant, and warned not to hit the bone, then she might also be a little low on info about how to avoid major nerves, etc) I felt silly about not honestly and assertively expressing my concerns, so I called the RN on the phone and explained how I had overheard her conversation and didn't want an injection from someone who didn't even know what an IM injection was. She apologized several times for her lapse in professionalism for having the conversation in earshot of me. I went back in and received the injection from the RN, but did ask "so are the medical assistants nursing students?" and was SHOCKED when she said "no they are medical students, well, wanna-be medical students. They are pre-med students from the University (read -biology majors with no skills training!) I could handle an injection from a nursing student who has received instruction on IMs, but not from some kid who may or may not even ultimately decide on med school after some fly-by-night training on giving IMs "without hitting the bone". I'll never let one of their techs give me an injection or take blood again - give me a nursing student any day!!
Hey, Tinamarie. Thanks. . . I feel better :). I hope things will be easier when I can jump in and do them instead of watching from the sidelines. But, I will still rest a little easier when I get checked off on those darn catheters .
What are you most freaked out about learning in nursing school? What makes you the most nervous? I am worried about taking blood. My hands tend to shake a little, even when I am not nervous, but really bad when I am nervous. I plan to take beta-blockers in nursing school so poor patients don't have to see shakes the clown coming at them with a needle.
I have been really trying to desensitize myself to the idea of sticking a needle into someone's vein. I look at people's arms a lot and visualize calmly and gently finding a vein, making the stick, etc. I know that seems strange, but just trying to gear up for it.
For all of you experienced students - do you usually get free time in the labs to just practice and practice on the models?? Do you practice blood draws on your fellow students?
I am really afraid of being in a different role, I was a health care professional before I started my training and I never would have thought that I would feel like this.
I have had a few jobs in health care and if I may say been quite good at them. I could learn new skills easily and adapt to new ways of thinking but as a student my head is shot!!!!!!!
I am feeling alot of presure, too try and keep up with other students and reading.
What are you most freaked out about learning in nursing school? What makes you the most nervous? I am worried about taking blood. My hands tend to shake a little, even when I am not nervous, but really bad when I am nervous. I plan to take beta-blockers in nursing school so poor patients don't have to see shakes the clown coming at them with a needle.
Hi,
I shake too, what is a beta-blocker and how do they work??
What are you most freaked out about learning in nursing school? What makes you the most nervous? I am worried about taking blood. My hands tend to shake a little, even when I am not nervous, but really bad when I am nervous. I plan to take beta-blockers in nursing school so poor patients don't have to see shakes the clown coming at them with a needle.
Hi,
I shake too, what is a beta-blocker and how do they work??
yeah me too!! how do i get them? I am afraid of FAILING...im also afraid of what i will do when i see some major blood and trauma...never seen it live before (just on tv lol) also im worried that ill hurt someone by accident:(
I'm so glad this topic was posted! My biggest fear is failing, of not being good enough to do this. I've never wanted anything like I want this! (Other than the health, happiness and safety of my children, that is!) It helps to know others are nervous about doing various things to the patients, also. My fear about IVs and such lies in doing them on premature babies, because I want to be an NICU nurse. I'm not afraid of blood, vomit, or any of that and I've given myself IMs before. (Steroid shots to help mature my son's lungs-knew I was very likely to deliver prematurely) I've had catheters done many times so I know how it feels.
I'm strange in that I'm also worried that my worries and fears that I'll fail will become a self-fulfilling prophecy... :uhoh21:
beta blockers are used to treat some heart conditions, but can also be used to essentially "cut off" the body's physiological reactions to stress. So you may feel nervous, but you don't get the "fight or flight" rush of adrenaline that leaves many of us shaking, blushing, hearts pounding, etc. You can read more here -
Measure, review, and watch the vetrans. . .when they move in a hurry, watch the monitor for that room. You will see patterns you will only see in books.
:) Thanks for the info. I'm sorry about your incident. That will remind me to be very careful when I am giving injections! Can you give me any advice for working on the Telemetry Unit? I start my Summer clinical on that unit in about 2 weeks. I'm a little nervous, but excited also! Thanks, Tina
Also, the smell, sound, sight or even thought of vomit can make me gag. I'm sure hoping I can desensitize myself with both of these issues!
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RN4Mommy
19 Posts
I usually do really well on tests, even though I do experience some anxiety beforehand but I've heard so many things about tests in nursing that I'm already anxious and nervous!
Thanks for the suggestions!