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I'm glad that you had a good outcome when you took the issue to a higher authority, although it would not have been the path I chose. Because we have some very pushy and overbearing clinical professors in my program, I try to fly under the radar and really just let my skills and my patient's feedback do the talking for me. Don't worry about not being able to practice all of your skills during clinicals, like others have mentioned, hospitals do realize that as a new nurse, there will be things you haven't had the oppertunity to practice. The best advice I can offer is just to make yourself available! A lot of it has to do with being in the right place at the right time. Frequently a nurse on the floor will say I have a patient needing a foley inserted or an IV started, who wants it? You just have to jump at the chance and go for it! Also like mama_d mentioned, you had to ask around! I will often tell my nurse and others on the shift that I am a student, and if they have anything going on that I could participate in or even just observe... that things that may seem mundane to them are really exciting to me! I have really good responses to statements like that. And many of the nurses I work with in clinicals are new grads and are happy to kind of take a student under their wing if the student really shows interest. So ok, some things to think about! Don't worry, you'll have a new clinical professor next semester! Happy nursing!

Ok, so this isn't pretty, but I'm just going to be honest!! I'd like to say eat healthy and exercise, but the reality of it is that I gained 40, yes 40 freakin lbs (which I'm now working really hard to get rid of before graduation in May!!) I've made great friends in nursing school, and the thing we all love to do is eat! And when it comes down to a choice between exercising and sleeping, sorry, I'll exercise after graduation! I can imagine everyone reading this cringing! haha, sorry! There is one thing we LOVE to do, and it's cheap, fun, and great at stress busting. So what is this wonderful past time you ask? Why bingo, of course! Our bingo spot even has a college night, so it's $3 for a book, can't beat it! Now I warn you, I've been called a big dork on many occasions for this, but I'll be a happy dork when I win that $750 prize! Finally, on those rare occasions that I have a spare $20, I really enjoy getting a pedicure. Can't do the manicure because of clinicals, but nothing beats having someone massage and paint your feet! So yes, nursing school is unbelievebly stressful, but you just show up, do what they tell you, and it'll be over before you know it! Hope this helps! Good luck!

i seriously do feel your pain. i have never experienced the feeling of panic until nursing school. but as someone counting the months until graduation (may 2009), please do hang in there, and it really will be ok. during the first semester of my bsn program, i spent a lot of time wondering if i'd gotten in over my head... teetering on the verge of a nervous breakdown. an older, much wiser nurse told me that for her, nursing school had been extremely stressful, that it likely wouldn't get any easier, and to just buckle down and survive it. so i did, and i'm still here! are your exams all hesi? all of ours are, and what i've found to be most helpful are the prentice hall hesi study guides. there is one that corresponds with each subject and they are absolutely worth the ! another thing i do is use ear plugs for the tests, they eliminate all the sighs and talking and distracting noises of others! you definately need a friend or two or three that you can count on, to study with, to get encouragement from, and to go through this experience with. i've made three of the greatest friends i've ever had in nursing school. while nursing school is hands down the most stressful time i've ever been through, it has also been the most rewarding. between clinicals and exams, take some time to go get a pedicure, and tell yourself you're doing a good job. just stick with it and things always have a way of working out in the end. good luck!!!!