Practicum: Nearing The End

[Dear.Sofie]

I am in dire need of your advice,

I am nearing the end of my practicum and I can’t wait! These past days have been super stressful for me, my preceptor expects me to be super confident and sure of my abilities at this point. It really sucks because my prior clinical experiences haven’t been so great- some nurses allowed me to do everything independently while others only wanted me to observe. I felt super rusty the first few days of my practicum, I still didn’t quite understand how to deal with labs, I never gave shift exchange report, never called to transfer a patient, never communicated with a physician, never put in orders. So many nevers and now it’s expected of me to do everything! I hate to admit I cried when I got home one day. It doesn’t help that I‘m in need of a major boost in confidence and that I am normally a reserved & quiet person.

Ive had 5 years of CNA experience and Im totally comfortable when interacting with patients. I am just SO terrified at the thought of making mistakes. I challenge myself by telling my preceptor to let me give shift exchange report, to call to give report when transferring a patient, to call the physician, to chart. I know I am not good at it and I accept my preceptors feedback. I’m just worried I should be at different level by now.

I feel my nursing skills are good (what I mean is individual skills like hanging IV bags, giving meds, etc) but I’m having a bit of trouble putting everything together.

I guess what I’m asking here is, how did you all feel in your practicum? Any tips on what I can do to be a better nurse? I feel like I want to work at a hospital once I’m done, but at this point I’m just terrified!

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

Practicum is very similar to new nurse orientation. What you are experiencing is what a new grad nurse feels during their first few months of being a nurse that didn't have a practicum. When you start your first nursing job, you will progress quicker because you already have a base knowledge from your practicum.

Your preceptor was attempting to get you out of your comfort zone. If she let you sit back and observe the entire time, you would not be prepared once you become a nurse. The more comfortable you become doing those tasks and skills, the easier they will become once you start your nursing job. Your preceptor does not expect you to be at her level by the time your practicum is over. She does expect you to be at the same level as a new grad orientee with the same amount of precepting.