Overwhelmed Student

netglow, ASN, RN · Mar 27, 2010

Sweetie, this is why you practice... over, and over, and over. If you can buy a nursing student kit do it. We were given that option when I was in school. They come with foley's, syringes, fake meds, vials, trach stuff, etc. all in a kind of carryon bag. You can practice at home easily with this stuff. Does your lab have paper scenarios that roughly resemble Orders/MAR? Make photocopies of these and keep them at home to practice as well.

creativetype2007 · Mar 27, 2010

I am by no means an expert, I am still getting my prerquesites for either PA or RN but I am an EMT and I know all about clinics and the concentration it takes to stay in the moment, don't let your mind run thinking what you are doing is routine and then mistakes are made. I think like anything, it takes a conscious effort to really stay in the moment in those situations. And you need to realize this and just do it.

As for you not loving nursing, as that is what I got from your post, there isn't much to say about that. Maybe things will change when you are hired somewhere or maybe you want an advanced degree as an NP or something else where you might have a bit more power.

As for anyone else reading this point, if you have an opinion between a PA and NP for someone who is in their 40's and a few years away from either, I'd love to hear it. Thanks in advance.

Faeriewand, ASN, RN · Mar 27, 2010

Dear Nursing Student. Your post was difficult to read (actually I couldn't read it at all) because of the font? Just letting you know. Good luck :)

Solomon Asare · Mar 27, 2010

this is how it is when starting everything. take courage and practice it little by little, even senior nurses make mistake. keep on trying it will be okay. there is saying that, little drops of water makes a mighty ocean.

JordiesMomRN · Mar 27, 2010

Dear Stephy,

To me, you sound like a student who really cares about what she is doing. You just need a shot of CONFIDENCE. You said by some miracIe you were accepted into a nursing program? No sweetie! that was all of your hard work and perseverance:). You're already at the end of the 2nd semester. I think you will be fine. If you are feeeling uncomfortable practice, practice, then practice some more and just learn from your mistakes and others mistakes. I think that at some point, we all feel like this as students. I have been a RN going on four years now in a critical care area. There are still times when I will ask a senior nurse for help with something I feel uncomfortable with. Lastly, please do not be "awestruck" by nurses or any other occupation for that matter......just remember that we are all human and share some of the same problems. God Bless! I hope this helps. Good Luck!! :twocents:

NursingStudentStephy · Mar 27, 2010

Thank you to everyone for reading this post and for taking the time to respond. I appreciate it! And I apologize for making it hard to read...that font is pretty darn tiny now that I am looking at it again!

As for practicing, I copied some MARs and have a Nerf football that I hollowed out for practicing wound care at home and have been working on injections as well. I guess I was concerned that a medication error was an indication that I was not meant to do this. It probably sounds silly...I just have high expectations for myself and it was very disappointing when I did that. And JordiesMomRN, the confidence comment was pretty accurate...I am trying to work on that:)

CreativeMind2007, I hope that you find the answers that you are looking for...I am sure you will on this board. I am sorry for my post not being clear, but I definitely in no way was trying to say that I do not like nursing or that I view anything as routine. Honestly, the only thing that has kept me going since September is a huge desire to be a nurse and I think that viewing any of this as routine could be a dangerous mistake for any patient that I interact with.

Thank you all again for responding and I will remain aware of the font I use from now on! :)

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · Mar 27, 2010

I agree about the font. Can you make it bigger? These old eyes had to work hard to see what you wrote.

Listen, you just need to take a deep breath, slow down, try to relax. Sure, it's easier said than done.

I think you''ll do fine. One error, especially in a lab without real patients, especially an underdose not over, is not reason to abandon all hope. You will be a great nurse, I do believe.

No need to hold nurses in awe. We all are just human, we have our bad times and good, we do great things and then we do less than great. We all wonder about some of the "dumb" stuff we have said or done - or good things we did not say or do when we should have.

Try to be a little less fearful, although I don't think I could tell you how to do that. Just keep working hard, keep practicing, keep holding on to your dream, as I know you will achieve it. Then, before you know it, you'll be training students who come after you.

There is a new grad where i work who just kisses the ground I walk on because I take the time to help her learn various procedures. Heck, other nurses helped me. So why shouldn't I pass it on? I told her that she will soon be teaching the next new grad. She couldn't quite see that, but it's true. same for you.

better to be a little scared than too blase or a know-it-all.

NursingStudentStephy · Mar 27, 2010

Thank you, Kooky Korky! I must be overemotional today because your kind response made me a bit teary eyed.

It is a relief to read that you are helpful with new grads. I have heard from many people that seasoned nurses "eat their young". I do not want to make any assumptions and have no idea if there is truth to that, as I start clinicals Monday for the very first time.

And I tried to go back to make the font larger on my initial post, but I do not see how I can do that:(

Whispera, MSN, RN · Mar 27, 2010

Everyone makes mistakes. I bet you a nickel you won't make the same one again! It's a learning process! I agree, practice, practice, practice.

You have the attitude of someone who cares enough to do a good job, and that's SO admirable. Give yourself credit though. You've worked hard and wouldn't be where you are if you were a dummy or didn't work hard.

They say it takes about 1-2 years to get comfy in a nursing job after graduation. There's always lots to learn. Be at peace with yourself as you learn the schooling part, and afterward, as you learn the real thing. I think you'll do great!

milobust · Mar 27, 2010

I am a newly licensed nurse and in my first year of school I very honestly asked my teacher if it was normal to be scared to death I was gonna make a mistake every time I went to clinical and she explained that it was normal and okay and that fear would make me a better nurse. I myself did not feel anywhere near capable of providing nursing care till even after my boards. This was after months of study and restudying assesments techiniques and procedures. I finally feel like I'm ready to get out there and care for patients, now Im just waiting for a job offer but I still study everyday. You'll get there!

Mukfay · Mar 27, 2010

I'm currently in my third semester, and my skills concern me more than anything. Reading your post helped me with my own concerns. It occurred to me as I was reading your post that if we weren't going to make mistakes, we wouldn't need mannequins. Your post helped me come to terms with the fact that mistakes are not only okay, but necessary in training! We should embrace them and draw positive energy from the fact that they are helping us learn rather than blocking the learning by letting them worry us.

Thank you for helping me see that!