normal to dread clinicals?

I have 6 months to go to finish my FNP. Out of all my rotations, there has only been one that I liked and could actually see myself working in that type of setting. The others have been so incredibly awful! Is there something wrong with me? I'm either afraid because i feel totally out of my comfort zone, or I see my preceptors doing whatever they want and not evidenced based treatment....one FNP never touched her patients, had someone else in the room to "take notes" for her and spent her all her time filling out paperwork with patients..... sometimes I'm just watching the clock because I can't wait to get out of there! Does anyone else ever feel like this?

What you're feeling doesn't sound so weird based on what you describe. Are you finding clinical placements yourself or is your school setting them up for you? What do your clinical instructors say when you tell them how you feel?

Maybe you wouldn't be dreading clinical if you had a supportive, with-it preceptor. It's normal to feel out of your comfort zone at first. The mark of a good preceptor is that they help you move through that to fly on your own.

I dreaded a clinical with a physician who did things "because this is what I do." It was difficult to suggest a plan of care he agreed with and he would try to belittle me. I spoke with my instructor (who admitted other students had similar complaints in the past). After that I made sure I was placed somewhere quality.

If I were you, I would speak with your program director about working with a competent NP who likes to teach. How else are you going to learn?

Sure! It's "normal" to dread clinicals! Even if your preceptor was the best NP in the world! You have specific needs and requirements for your fulfillment and satisfaction of the degree program. Not everyone will be the best match. My perspective is this... take the best they have to offer, listen to their suggestions and rationale, and apply it in the best way possible to your needs. You may find one or two (or more!) things that make it worthwhile. In the meantime, get your hours wrapped up and A) get another preceptor or B) enjoy your last semester and do whatever you can to make a difference.

It's not the end of the world! Just imagine... you have now learned what not to do with patients!!!

Good luck with the end of your studies!

:w00t:

Bless your heart.

Hang in there as others have said. You have not long to go.

Clinicals are unnerving in a sense due to the unknown factor.

I am sure you will succeed in your course and future. :)

I'm doing clinicals now too and what I've found out about preceptors is do your homework on them before asking. Don't just take whoever because your desperate. I ask students ahead of me who is good and use their recommendations.. So far I've only had wonderful learning experiences. Yes it's scary as heck but a preceptor should understand that your a novice and help to guide you, not belittle and scare you half to death. Even with good learning environments, I'm still scared half to death most of the time and feel like I have two left feet!