Nursing Student-Getting discouraged and overwhelmed

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I am in my second year of Nursing (Nursing 1V) in a two year program. My last two clinical rotations were pretty easy, not too complicated patients so I didn't get alot of hands on experience with doing IV's, proceedures, wound care...ect.

This semester I have a very difficult professer and on a very difficult floor. I feel like I know Nothing! Even the Reading is becoming so difficult for me.. Heart Rythms, Cardiac....

I feel as though I am not retaining any of the information I learned in the past, or it just isn't coming all together...

I am getting so overwhelmed and feel as though I don't know my stuff. Has anyone gone through this or have any suggestions to help me get through this difficult time. I am beginning to wonder If I am even smart enough for all of this.

Help

Bea

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Specializes in Peds Critical Care, Dialysis, General.

Bea,

Everyone's been where you are - whether they admit it or not. And not just in nursing school clinicals. This also will happen in day to day nursing. One day you feel you've done any excellent job, the next day you might feel you're the worst nurse in the world.

My advice: take a big step back, relax and breathe! Let your mind settle. Sounds like information overload. I once totally froze on a test and could not for the life of me do the clinical math questions even though I'd been doing them for 2 years. Just wasn't there!

Be gentle with yourself.

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We've all been there. The best advice that I have is to talk to your professor. Just let her know that you were on a slow floor and that this new floor is an adjustment for you. Let her know what you have done, but also let her know what you want help learning and doing. Always tell the RN your comfort level with a situation and ask for help if you need it. And if you are working with a nurse who doesn't have a lot of time for students, find your professor and ask her for help. I promise you, no matter how intimidating she is, she's there to help you learn, not set you up for failure.

And remember, thousands of students get turned away from programs every year. But you got a spot, so you're good enough. (At least, that's what I tell myself when I'm going through a rough spot in my program)

Good Luck

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Specializes in OB/GYN, Peds, School Nurse, DD.

If you're in the program, you're plenty smart enough.I think you sound overwhelmed. Go to your professor. Perhaps she can offer you extra help. Is is possible that cardiac is just not your cuppa tea? That can make it much harder to retain the info. If that's the case, you're just going to have to push through it. :idea: Make passing your goal, not excelling. I was terrible at cardiac, knew I would NEVER work there. I managed to pass the course, but I really didn't understand a lot of it. My specialty became peds and surgical NICU. I have never, ever had need of all that cardiac info in the 32 years of my career. All you have to do is learn it well enough to pass school and your boards. Keep your chin up. Perhaps your last course will be better. Good luck. :up:

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Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.
This also will happen in day to day nursing. One day you feel you've done any excellent job, the next day you might feel you're the worst nurse in the world.

Quoted for truth. As a new nurse in the NICU, I feel this way all the time.

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Specializes in pulm/cardiology pcu, surgical onc.

My 1st 9 months on the floor seemed pretty easy, typical post ops... Than it all hit the fan with super complicated patients, calling RRT's, and bad codes. I have learned so much more the past 3 months than the 1st 9 months it seems. Hang in there, it is overwhelming at first as we all have been through but it will slowly start coming together one clinical day at a time.

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Specializes in Cardiology, Oncology, Medsurge.

I failed my cardiac clinical and became a telemetry nurse. Go figure!

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Specializes in Acute Mental Health.

I felt the same way towards the end. We all used to sit around after clinical and talk about how we felt we knew less than when we started. Normal! Your putting it all together now and that can be overwhelming. You may most likely feel like that your first year out as well. Your not alone!

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Specializes in Med/Surg; CVOR; CVICU.

I feel you for you, but as many of the nurses here have said: We have all been there. You are not alone. Especially in nursing school, trying to juggle "life" and family or any other things that may be going on in your life. The best advice I can give you is to make sure you do have some time to yourself. Even if it's 20 minutes/day. Meditate, work-out, do anything that will allow you to unwind and take a step back from the day (or nights) stresses. Nursing is never easy in my opinion and you really have to learn how to separate the daily duties from your outside/emotional life.

Don't give up, you made it in the program and that itself is an accomplishment. You can do it and when you do, it will ALL be worth it:)

Keep your chin up!

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Wow, that was great to hear cause that's what I'm studying now and I don't know how anyone gets through it... there's soooooooooo much to know about Cardio.

Kudos to you for doing that!

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I am going through this similar feeling right now!! Just started my second year of nursing school and feel completely unprepared most of the time no matter how much I study. I don't work while in the program now, but I did play soccer last year during my first year of nursing school and it was definitely a challenge. I feel as though since I am not working and do not have kids, that I should be having no problems. :uhoh3: I am just feeling extremely overwhelmed!! :eek:

Danielle

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