Overwhelmed in clinical! Not a good feeling at all!!!

[Blessed S.N.23]

Hello to all! I was just wondering is it normal to feel overwhelmed in a clinical setting sometimes? For some weird reason today i just couldnt pull it together and felt like I was lagging behind! I definately do not like that feeling at all being that im always on top of my assignments and prepared for class! I guess today was just one of those days for me as a student nurse!

[Bormio]

I think you have to expect periods of complete disillusionment. don't attach signficance to it and just keep moving! When you complete you program, it will not matter! i experienced this the other day when I had a crappy first clinical and failed a quiz. I just decided to leave it in the pass and move forward. Just a yucky week, nothing to really learn from it, except forget it and keep moving forward.

[Blessed S.N.23]

Thanks! I feel alot better! I loved the way u put the whole thing and thats exactly what im going to do is move foward! Thx again!

[TerpGal02, ASN]

This has happened to me too, especially first starting on a new unit. I find myself VERY uncomfortable when I don't exactly have my bearings straight. Usually by the end of the first weekend in a new place, I feel much better (and we are assigned to the same unit for the duration of the semester, sometimes have a 2 day experience on a diff unit/hospital) Like last week we were at a LTC facility on the chronic vent LTC unit. That was VERY overwhelming, mostly b/c the unit seemed very disorganized, the charting was archaic (paper charting, but you had to go through like 5 binders to even FIND all your charting), and the patient I was caring for was really, really sad (persistent vegitative state for the last 12 years)

[Blessed S.N.23]

Yeah i figured this has to happened to the best of us! Its true that things do get better like you mentioned! Im going to hang in there and endure whatever comes my way but still be able to complete my task and get the job done! Thx:)

[crazytonurse]

I know exactly how you feel! Last week was horrible for me. I screwed up on my test scantron therefore causing my grade to be way worse then if I would have just took my time and relaxed. On top of that my 1st day at clinical was not encouraging at all. After allowing myself some time to sulk in the misery that was that week, I put it behind me and moved on. So far this week has been great, and clinical this morning was way better than last weeks. Allow your self some "self-pity" time and then move on with a big smile on your face. Many students would love to be where you are... remember that. :)

[Blessed S.N.23]

Wifemotherstudent you are so right! Thank you for the encouragement! I know Nursing is a process and i definately just need to allow myself to be human and not freak out! I love Nursing so far and cant wait to graduate but until then im going to work even harder and endure the infamous Nursing Program! Thx again!