AlaMagenta

It is the same thing at my school. They read power points as fast as they can and tell you to read the chapter. Then we practice questions so we will score well and be able to pass the NCLEX. I am perfectly capable of self reading, but if I could be a nurse by reading Potter and Perry I wouldn't need to go to class. I notice if you ask any questions that are not on the power point they get a blank look and have to look through the book. Our instructors also have masters in teaching and haven't been "nurses" in years. I also get told things that contradict the book, which is frustrating. I am a great self reader and got 100 on my first test. However, when it comes to skills, and I am not talking about ROM and beds, I am having a real hard time. A quick once through is not enough for caths and sterile procedure. They don't even bother to demonstrate heart and lung auscultation. They play a video and tell us to practice on each other to learn normals, hope my classmates are normal. The instructor spent 10 minutes in the book when asked it the PMI was the same as the apex, and then changed her answer at the next class. I am aware that I am an adult and should be able to put in the leg work, but I am going into debt to be taught. I do expect some teaching. My classes are generally run by two instructors and it takes both of them to keep each other straight. I just look at them and think I am glad you are a teacher, because I wouldn't want you to be my nurse. Then they tell us how great their program is and how well it is rated. Scary!

I don't have a magic answer but I do have a few thoughts that may be useful. I know people who have this reaction to the site of blood, but this doesn't seem to be the case with you. I think your fear comes from not being in control. Based on your post it seems to be when others are drawing blood from you, not the site of the blood itself. That it why it doesn't bother you to preform the task, because you are in control. I am not in any way calling you a control freak:) but seeing your own blood does trigger realizations that we are not invincible. For me the reason behind my emotion helps me deal with them. If you think this may have a part in your reaction perhaps just the knowledge of why you feel this way may help. Also if there are things you can do that help you feel more in control of the situation, like choosing the finger or arm, having the person let you count to three so you know exactly when they are going to start. I don't know if this helps, but I am also a new nursing student and would love it if you would update on how things are working out.

I just started started my first semester in the RN program and I am having similar feelings. I have always been a driven over achiever and a good test taker. In the classes where we have lecture and written tests I am fine and enjoy myself, I find the knowledge very interesting. In the class where we preform clinical skills I am a nervous wreck!!! I can read a blueprint and spent 5 years assembling small intricate parts, I thought I would take to the physical skills easily. I read the book and watch the videos endlessly, but when it comes to doing it I feel like an idiot. It is making me question if I am in the right field. In my class we will only go to a hospital setting 4 times at the end of the class. Our clinical returns are done in class on manikins. The teacher shows everyone how to preform the skill in class, and we have our check off at the next class a week later. There are certain posted hours aside from this class time when we can go to the lab and practice with fellow classmates and there is an instructor available if we have questions. I am not a slow learner but I feel this is totally inadequate. Am I selfish to say I need/want more one on one? Our first return is on sterile dressing change, male/female catheters. When we get to class we will be informed of which one of the three skills we will be graded on. I guess we will draw out of a hat? We have a checklist on what we will be graded on for each skill. We will then verbalize our assessment. Even if I do well I don't feel this prepares me in any way to preform this on a real person. I am wondering if I am suppose to feel totally overwhelmed? Is the book knowledge the important thing? Am I suppose to just have a basic understanding of skills and pick them up when I start working? Should I be able to master a skill with one quick showing by the instructor? Is there something wrong with me? Am I just not cut out for this? I am totally dedicated to my schoolwork, but no matter how many time I practice in a lab with a partner that is just as clueless as me I cannot go in there a feel confident preforming a skill. I would love to hear from other students, maybe I am just looking at this wrong?