No confidence

Nursing Students LPN/LVN Students

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Help!! THis is my first semester in LPN school and I have been doing ok but lately I seem to be losing confidence in myself. I tend to really beat myself up over mistakes because I know how important it is to be safe for our patients. Today in clinicals a patient asked me to leave her bed up so I did and I got in trouble because of course that is a safety hazard. I just feel like I am going to be a horrible nurse even though I want it so bad. Anyone else ever feel like thist? How do you get out of this slump? Any help is appreciated.

Thanks

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Specializes in Pediatrics, OB/GYN, ER, Geriatrics.

Did you leave the bed rails down? Or did you leave the bed in an upright position? I am confused on what go you in trouble. Anyway, we all make little mistakes in school...do not let it lower your confidence in your abilities to perform. As a nurse, you need a "thick skin". Also keep in mind that you are working under your instructors license and so you really need to follow proper protocol for each situation.

I used to beat myself up all the time when I made a mistake and now each time I am corrected on something I have done wrong, I take in what was said and improve the next time the situation comes at me again.

This is only your first semester, so take a deep breathe, sit back and look at what you could do differently next time. You are going to be okay. Just keep pushing forward toward your goal....

Best of luck to you

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Thanks for the reply. I actually broke the first rule of pt. care, I did not lower the bed to the lowest position. The pt asked the it be left where it was and I did as she asked. Of course that is a big no no and I do understand that, I was just trying to be a good student nurse and make the pt happy. Needless to say I did learn from that lesson. My husband told me to look at the pt's as if they were my children and just because they want something it does not mean it would be good for them.

I will be working on the tougher skin thing, if I don't I will never survive this year.

Again thanks

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Remember, you are a student. You are there to learn, you aren't expected to know everything all the time. Even the most seasoned nurses screw up at one time or another. Chalk it up to a bad day and use it as a reminder to never do it again. That is great advice from your hubby, listen to him! Remember the prize you will get when the game is over, you will be a nurse. Stay focused, don't dwell on a bad day, celebrate the good days, and most of all believe in yourself. Good luck!

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You know that whole "bed in the lowest position" was drilled into our heads when I was in LPN school. Then I entered the 'real' world with my brand new LPN license, and of course I kept doing that following behing my CNA's and reminding them to please put the bed to the lowest position. Well our beds lowest position is literall flush with the floor (none of our clinical sites had beds that had the lowest position flush with the floor). And after a week or so of doing this, my DNS came to me and informed me that beds in the lowest position like that were considered a "restraint" and that we needed a doc's order for it! Imagine, all those many many months of having it drilled into our heads to keep the bed "at the lowest position" only to find out that you can't do that.

Don't fret too much about it, your instructors know its your first semester. Its their job to point out your mistakes. I bet you'll never forget to keep the bed at a "safe" height.

Don't give up and certainly don't beat yourself up. You are a student, you are still learning. Chin up!

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