doing poorly in clinicals

feisty · Mar 11, 2009

Examine each incident and determine why each happened individually. Do not just lump it into one catch all excuse like "I suck when it comes to remembering details."

Do you have a planner to organize your schedule with times and dates? Never rely on memory since you now have a very complicated life. You are in nursing school!!!!

When you are taking a test are you rushing through? If other students finish first does it cause you to feel pressure or rushed? Do you have a plan for the test? I always double checked my answers which usually meant I was the close to the last one turning in the test.

Did you know the format that you instructor expected you to use for your assignment? I would sometimes ask instructor to view an example of the assignment because I am visual and need to see what is expected. Oh, remember that you must never just assume that they will accept something just because all the material is there. It must be submitted according to their standards.

I have been having trouble with one particular area in my job. I examined the problem, determined why the method I was using was not working for me, designed a method that is in accordance with my employers standards and that allows me to accomplish the task effectively.

Look at this as an opportunity to exercise those critical thinking skill you need as a nurse. You will be amazed how great you will feel when you realize that you have the ability to change this situation. Assess, diagnose, plan, implement, evaluate can apply to various aspects of life :)

island40 · Mar 11, 2009

As a former clinical and full time nursing classroom isntructor here are my suggestions:

1. A common reason for lack of focus and attention deficit to detail is anxiety. Try some calming exercises prior to clinical, doing homework and during these tasks.

2. Ask someone who you are friends with in the class to read over your work to check that you followed the directions.

3. Work on your focus by doing crossword puzzles and the analizing comic type games in the daily newspaper. {Don't laugh you will pay a lot more for a psychiatrist to tell you the same thing... that's where I work now and these are suggestions I give to clients to help them re-teach thier mind to focus and minimize distraction.}

4. Talk to your health professional about how you are feeling.

Good luck

CaliGirl0629 · Mar 12, 2009

As a former clinical and full time nursing classroom isntructor here are my suggestions:
1. A common reason for lack of focus and attention deficit to detail is anxiety. Try some calming exercises prior to clinical, doing homework and during these tasks.

This is soooo true! I have messed up many times due to anxiety! One word of advice that helps me, make a clinical checklist! This checklist could include med times, accu checks, charting, checking lab values, I & O's, etc. Follow the checklist and cross them off as you do them. Good luck!

flightnurse2b, LPN · Mar 12, 2009

you need to invest in a good planner, a report sheet, some post-it notes and multicolored pens.

nursing school is hectic and sometimes clinicals can be very nerve wracking, esp if you are already treading thin ice, your anxiety might be getting the best of you.

write down your tasks in your planner for the week, then make your report sheet (when i was in nrsg school, i made one for each pt and checked things off as i went) and update with multi colored pens (ie--i used red for new orders, green for meds, etc) and then thruout the clinical use your sticky notes to jot things down you need to add to your clinical paperwork/deadlines and stick them in your planner.

once you get a system down, stick to it. organization is key in nursing!

good luck in school and i hope things start looking up!

Sunflowerinsc, ADN, RN · Mar 12, 2009

All the previous ideas and methods to get organized are so good. But I am wondering if it would help to see your Dr. and have a good check up. ( I don't know your age and young people don't think of medical problems). But some times a physical problem might make it hard for you to "think straight" and be a deterrent to you being able to think, plan and organize. I am thinking about anemia, low blood sugar,hypertension. Anxiety and depression also.

1styearsucks · Mar 12, 2009

I see whats going on here. I have been there and done that. "That" would be that your are being to hard on yourself and overly critical. Humans make mistakes so do not beat urself up over it. When you make a mistake you beat yourself up over it and then you think you can not do it. What you think becomes your actions. Your focus should be learning not neccessarly trying to get a perfect grade or score. Except that you will make mistakes. As long as you take your time and pay attention those mistakes will most likely not be to detrimental.