macrinal

I'm a student too, and in my second clinical rotation, so I can relate to your nervousness and worry about what to expect from patients. Having heard from so many of my colleagues in our post-clinical discussions now, I can say that what you experienced is rare - not unheard of, but certainly not the norm, either. So don't let that experience get you down or color your attitude. So much of nursing requires appealing to the "healthiest" side of our patients, especially those who have some psychosocial or behavioral difficulties. We are there to model good social interactions. It's much easier said than done, especially when you are surprised, but for me it's an awareness that makes me stronger in my core and able to roll with the punches better. Your confidence will grow; don't worry. Even in a matter of months I can tell a big difference in myself. You handled it well, so learn from it and keep on.

I felt the same surreal thing all through my prereqs as I lived my normal family life of wife, mother and everything else that I've done for 2.5 decades now. But I'm now in my 2nd quarter of ABSN and it sure doesn't feel fake anymore. Congratulations to you!

Started ABSN at 46, will graduate at 47. Never too late!