Superdude87

Yeah, at the very least I'm taking some learning opportunities away from this. It just was a hectic night and because of this, I wasn't as caught up on tasks or prepared for shift change as I should have been. I guess next time I'll make more of an effort to make sure certain tasks are done at certain times so I can be caught up and ready to go when it's time to give report. I just don't look like I'm "just a student" (even though I am). I guess I'm a little hard on myself but I just want to be a good nurse, but obviously as a student I'm not going to be nearly as good, experienced, efficient and "have it together" as a seasoned pro...and I should know that it's not expected that I do.

So I'm finishing up my last term of nursing school, doing my senior practicum in ICU. I have always had an interest in working in ICU, so I applied for the spot and got it! I guess my professors thought I had what it takes. They had mentioned that they wouldn't put someone into a spot such as ED or ICU if they thought the student wouldn't do well, so I felt pretty good about getting it. Long story short, everything has been going pretty well until last night. I feel like I'm learning a ton, becoming more independent, getting better at my assessments/time management/various nursing skills. However, for whatever reason, last night (I'm on night shift) I just felt "off". Things just weren't going well, I was slower than usual, fumbling with routine stuff (IV tubing, programming the pumps, ya know, basic stuff). By the end of the night I was so tired and getting kinda frustrated that I gave the shittiest report in the history of reports. My preceptor was there to watch me give report to the day shift nurse, and my head was just in a fog. I spent the last 30 minutes of my shift catching up on charting that I totally forgot to make a little "report cheat sheet" (I use this so I don't forget to leave out any important info and to keep it organized). The night was so chaotic that I barely had a chance to sit down and review my patient's history or diagnoses, so I barely had any information to give the day shift nurse. I just felt so stupid!! The nurses I've worked with so far have said I'm doing a good job and they've already put in a good word to their manager on my behalf, but last night I just felt like I sucked...bad. Definitely not a good representation of my abilities or knowledge. I keep telling myself it was just a bad night and I'll redeem myself next time. I walked off the unit this morning just feeling...defeated. Gahhhh. I suppose to happens to everyone at least once, I guess it just makes me extra anxious because I'm almost to the end of nursing school and a night like last night feels like a huge setback when I was slowly gaining confidence. Just needed to vent, thanks for listening hahaha.

Ya, I haven't done clinicals so I'm obviously going to wait it out and see how I like it. It's not that I'm not a compassionate and empathetic person, and I DO enjoy helping others, but I don't know if I feel like this is my calling. I do like people, and I doubt anyone would say they DON'T like helping others. I definitely do enjoy and feel good about helping other people. I guess just reading about all the BS that goes on and the conditions they work in (at least according to these people) is discouraging. I like to have a life outside of work, and on the surface working 3 12s with 4 days off sounds amazing, but all these people were complaining about how it took a day to feel "normal" after working these shifts and it just drains you mentally and physically...leading to burnout and people aging prematurely.

I've been in a nursing program for about 3 weeks now, and honestly I feel ridiculous to say it but I'm not sure this is the field for me. I haven't even started clinicals yet, but for some reason just doing the reading about proper patient care, watchings vids and modules about skills and assessments, and doing simple drug calculations and med administration, I just don't feel jazzed about it like I feel I should. I don't feel excited to go to class and learn. It's not that the information is boring or it's too hard, and the workload (while insane, yes) is definitely doable. I am a good student and can prioritize to get all of it done, but I just don't feel the passion like I feel like I should. Honestly, and I feel really bad for saying it, but the job security and pay was the most attractive part of this career. The more I read from current RNs, the stress and high demand of the job may not be worth the pay, at least not for me. I know that anyone can post anything they want on the internet, but it's pretty odd that there are an OVERWHELMING amount of people who HATE this field. Some people can hack it, some people can't...and my gut tells me that I will regret it if I dedicate more time/money into this education. I don't know how or why, but I just feel it in my GUT that this maybe isn't right for me. I feel ridiculous for doing the 2 years of pre-reqs and dedicating so much time, effort, and so far a decent chunk of change into this program (books, supplies, tuition, all others costs) and it only took 3 weeks for me to have second thoughts. Should I tough it out or just throw in the towel? I honestly feel alright about the workload and the stress of school, but I feel like I will truly not like this job.

Hey guys, I will startiglng school soon and wanted some opinions. I'm a regular gym rat and need to lift four days a week at least to feel normal haha. How did/do you guys balance a bodybuilding lifestyle (ie: working out, eating regular meala, rest) with nursing school? I'm single with no kids, but I will be working 20 to 25 hours a week to help pay bills and stuff, might take out small loans to help reduce my work hours a bit but wont be quitting my job completely. As long as im able to maintain working out 4 to 5 times a week and getting my regular healthy food intake I shouls be golden. The gym is just a huge part of my life and I dont want to give it up. Any advice or thoughts? Balance is key and planning ahead will no doubt help, I just dont really know what to expecy in nursi.g achool in terms of workload and school/work/life balance. PS: sorry for typos, I typed this on my phone haha