Nursing Student Close to Graduating

[tp1159]

Hey everyone!

So lately I have been preparing for the boards and I've realized I've forgotten ALOT of information on what I've learned. I feel like I'm totally not prepared to be working as a new nurse. The clinical that I am at now is supposed to help us take on a leadership role, we're supposed to be assigned patients and act as a new nurse, but the hospital that I am at will not allow me to do ANYTHING. Seriously, I can't even give the patient's meds with my preceptor watching. It's ridiculous and not helping me out at all for when I am on my own. Besides that, all the skills and interventions have been forgotten. Is this normal, or am I just doomed?

[anh06005, MSN, APRN, NP]

I think all new grads feel like they know nothing. I did. Take practice NCLEX questions and my guess is you'll remember more than you realize. If not then look at the questions you miss and spend some good time refreshing those areas.

As for the clinicals....just make the best of it you can. Some hospitals are much stricter than others and I doubt there's anything you can do to change their minds. You might also talk to your instructor to make sure they are aware of the issue so maybe that hospital isn't the greatest one for your leadership clinicals.

[JoseQuinones]

Grab a medical dictionary and leaf through it. You will be amazed at how many of those arcane terms are familiar friends to you. Then close the dictionary and say "Wow! My brain is smarter than me!"

The capacity for the human mind to retain information is so much greater than we give it credit for.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Take a deep breath.

No one expects you to "take a clinical leadership role" as a new grad. Any organization that hires new grads will have an adequate process in place to provide you with the support you need for a successful transition from school to practice. Don't worry, they won't put patients in jeopardy. It's going to be OK.

None of us were born knowing what to do. We all began at the same place. You can do this.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

a lot of hospitals are cutting back on what students are allowed to do. There is just so much liability in caring for patients. As for your fear, hey, we have all been there. You know it, but you may not know yet how to apply it. This comes with time. As Cinderella says, Be courageous and kind.