Nursing Student feeling Scared!!!

[bblsw2002]

Hello all,

I am in my last year of nurisng school and feel really scared. I feel as though i am not ready for the real world. I find myself feeling as though i am not doing adeqaute assessments. I feel like i do not even know what to look for, and do not even get me started on critical thinking. That is a place that i am scared of visiting. I know that alot of people say that you will get the training tha you need on the unit that you work, but i feel as though you need to go there with some baseline knowledge. I know that i have it but i am just not confodent enough. ALot of the people that i am with in clinicals see the nurse in me, but i do not. Is there anyone out there who is feeing the same way. Please help

[CleveRN2008]

I understand exactly what you are feeling. I honestly think that is a normal response. Just hang in there and take one day at a time. Worry about life after graduation once you hit that point. :) I graduated in August and just passed my boards. I am actively interviewing and I am nervous, too. However, I try to remember that we were all new at some point. It is okay to admit that you need to learn! Don't be so hard on yourself. The fact that you graduated from nursing school tells me that you are smart and can do this! Hope this helps. Just know that you are never alone in feeling scared as a new nurse!

[DreamingTree]

Your feelings are normal. What you need to do is tackle them one at a time. Worried about your assessment skills? That would be a good place to start.

Do you have an assessment routine? For example, I like to start out by asking a couple questions (usually, pain & sleep) & scanning the room for all of the hook-ups (O2?, IV?, Foley?, etc.). Next, I get all of my listening out of the way. Heart, lungs (anterior & posterior), abdomen. Then I do my palpating -- abdomen, feet (pedal pulse, cap refill, check for edema, & ask about numbness/tingling). This routine usually takes care of everything, but I make adjusts for the pt's dx.

If you aren't sure about what you are hearing, google heart sounds & lung sounds. There are some good resources out there for learning abnormals. Of course, it still takes time & experience to figure it all out. Plus, make sure you have a good stethoscope -- it makes a HUGE difference.

Critical thinking is another skill that comes with time & experience. As you are assessing your pt, make note of all of the abnormals. Take some time to think about the pt's admitting dx, hx, labs, & other tests. Why are they experiencing the abnormal assessment findings you noted, and what interventions can you use? This is where you get to put together all of the puzzle pieces -- practical skills, classroom knowledge. It's not easy, and it takes time, but you will get it.

We were all in your shoes at one point, and it does get better. Good luck!