I was accepted to an associates degree nursing program at Clatsop Community College in Oregon. It's a great honor because, at least according to the instructors, the school has had the highest NCLEX pass rates in Oregon for several years, and I'm very happy to be going to school on the coast. I was born on the Oregon coast and really love it here. It brings me joy.
I started down this path because I feel quite strongly that I have a purpose to help people in one way or another. In fact, my initial career goal was to become a licensed professional counselor...but then I started taking biology classes and fell in love with them. The result was an RN career path. :)
Academically, I'm not that nervous at all. I've maintained a 4.0 for a long time and my writing skills are among the best. Intellectually, I know I have what it takes to become an RN and beyond.
What makes me nervous is patient care... I 'm currently taking NUR-50, which is a basic skills course for students accepted to the nursing program but who have not had any CNA training. In short, I'm very much a novice with the hands-on stuff!! We will be performing vitals and bathing patients in the hospital among other things. I just don't want to turn into a statue while helping a patient!!! I just keep feeling like I shouldn't feel this way or that a prepared student would feel differently. Or that, god forbid, I'm not "cut out" for it. I'm a male too...which probably makes it more difficult as a nurse. I do know that if I quit...I would regret it. And I'd always wonder...
There have been other things going on in my life for the past several years that are impacting my outlook. I'm seeing a counselor this week to talk about things. I guess I'm just looking for some individuals to relate to and tell me that I'm not alone!!!
I finished a CNA course a couple weeks ago and first day of clinical was nerve wrecking for everyone. Everyone in my class, even the squeamish ones, did well and actually enjoyed it. You will be fine too.
I finished a CNA course a couple weeks ago and first day of clinical was nerve wrecking for everyone. Everyone in my class, even the squeamish ones, did well and actually enjoyed it. You will be fine too.
I finished Nursing 50 and it went great! On the last day of clinicals, my patient told me I had been "absolutely unbelievable" and she gave me a hug. :) I am now in the middle of fall term nursing classes and doing clinicals at the local hospital. Clinicals have been going very well here too. It seems that my nervousness lessens the closer I get to the patient, because by the time I enter a patient's room and begin speaking and working with them, it is completely absent.
I felt exactly the same way, and to be honest, still do feel that way to some degree. I feel that I have more book smarts than I have clinical skills.
I did not have any experience prior to going to nursing school, and I envy those nursing students who were CNAs for 2 to 4 years prior to becoming a nursing student. They seemed to have an easier time grasping the content.
One good thing is that you will see that the instructors will try to pair up the inexperienced students with the more experienced students (such as the CNAs). This helps a lot, and you'll learn a lot from the students they pair you up with. Sometimes I felt I was learning more from those students then I was learning from the instructors.
I felt exactly the same way, and to be honest, still do feel that way to some degree. I feel that I have more book smarts than I have clinical skills.
I did not have any experience prior to going to nursing school, and I envy those nursing students who were CNAs for 2 to 4 years prior to becoming a nursing student. They seemed to have an easier time grasping the content.
One good thing is that you will see that the instructors will try to pair up the inexperienced students with the more experienced students (such as the CNAs). This helps a lot, and you'll learn a lot from the students they pair you up with. Sometimes I felt I was learning more from those students then I was learning from the instructors.
Thankfully we have 2nd-year students on the floor helping us. It's such a relief because they know EXACTLY what we're going through, and they're always happy to help. One second-year student I worked with did such an awesome job. She'll make a fantastic nurse when she gets out of school.
I 'm currently taking NUR-50, which is a basic skills course for students accepted to the nursing program but who have not had any CNA training. In short, I'm very much a novice with the hands-on stuff!! We will be performing vitals and bathing patients in the hospital among other things. I just don't want to turn into a statue while helping a patient!!! I just keep feeling like I shouldn't feel this way or that a prepared student would feel differently. Or that, god forbid, I'm not "cut out" for it. I'm a male too...which probably makes it more difficult as a nurse. I do know that if I quit...I would regret it. And I'd always wonder...
turkeyonrye
20 Posts
Thank you very much!