Published Nov 21, 2015
ssquared123
4 Posts
I'm in my second semester of nursing school (RN), and I've been doing really well in school. However, when I go to clinicals I still feel so clueless. I just feel dumb and like I still don't know what I'm doing. I take med-surg next semester, and am getting nervous about it! Does everyone feel like this in nursing, and does everything you learn eventually all come together?
ParkerBC,MSN,RN, PhD, RN
886 Posts
Yes, Everything will come together. Clinical is a time to practice critical thinking, assessment, and technical skills. Your priority is making sure your patient is safe. You have not taken Med Surg yet- when you do, you will find things clicking. You will begin learning all of the nursing processes associated with the various disease. You're still early in your program. Just embrace it. Be open to criticism and go in wanting to learn everything. You will be fine. All of us experienced it.
ktwlpn, LPN
3,844 Posts
Been a nurse for many years and still have those bad moments....times when I think to myself"oh,man,need a nurse here"and then realize that's me....I sometimes have to remind myself to just breathe and think for a second and then I can charge ahead....
cupcakeluver
88 Posts
I'm going into my final semester come January. 2 more tests and I'm finished with 3rd semester. I still feel clueless sometimes. I just keep at it and try to be as prepared as possible. So far I've passed all my clinicals with good evaluations. I think everyone feels overwhelmed until a certain point when you realize you aren't overwhelmed anymore....if that makes sense.
KyRN😉
52 Posts
Nursing school did NOT prepare me whatsoever. I didn't feel confident in my skills for a couple of years! Being able to answer test questions is not the same as knowing what your doing at bedside. However, that being said; you'll get there.
An example: I once walked into a room to see someone trying to cut their cast off their leg with a butter knife. Literally. I stood there watching with my mouth hanging open like, I can't be seeing this correctly. Nothing in nursing school prepared me for this haha. Nothing prepares you for catching a small change in condition that ends up being life saving either. You just learn as you go.