KD34

I'm passing the check-offs, but I'm not doing very good in simulation lab where the mannequins synchronously breathe and blink and they through you into situations where you have to solve problems with your peers. I've already gotten 2 unsatisfactory grades this semester in simulation, and now I have to go talk to the DON. I'm just afraid they're gonna fail me out of the program because I suck at pretending mannequins are real patients.

Ok, don't laugh...I have no problems talking to patients or doing/understanding the clinical skills in a real clinical setting; however, whenever I go into Sim lab or do a skills check off with the mannequins I feel like I can't breath and I can't think or remember anything. I've tried going in to the lab to practice and desensitize myself. Sometimes, I just go in and sit with them. I'm not very good at talking to them, and I have a difficult time pretending they are real. They're creepy. Does anyone else have a problem with this? I know this ultimately will not be a problem after nursing school, but I need to be able to work with the mannequins in order to pass the program. Does anyone else have a problem with this or a suggestion? ?