mimi13

I am in a similar situation as you and do not want to graduate without these basic skills. I'm fine with radial, but can NEVER find pedal. I can spend 40 minutes trying to find my husband/childrens' pedal pulses to practice. Extremely frustrating. I also have a hard time with apical on overweight or women with very large breasts. I try to figure out where the intercostal spaces are that I cannot see or feel anywhere. I'm so glad for this forum where we can reveal this info and get support. It's difficult in clinical where most seem to be way beyond this stuff.

Dear psychnurse, what a great story, one I can certainly relate to! As for faking it, I am pretty good with patients, and as I mentioned earlier, I think my age gives people laying in bed a false sense of security that works to my advantage. However, I hate when I am not up to what the nurses on the floor think I should be up to. I applied a dressing to a wound the other day and i dont think I did anything terrible. However, I tend to ask alot of questions and perhaps wear my insecurities with nursing on my sleeve. Anyway, the RN who was very very nice all day asked what semester I was in and when I am graduating. When I told her this December she proceeded to give me this look ( teeth exposed, mouth pulled to side as in "yikes") "Oh wow", she said "I thought you were first semester." Talk about a confidence shaker. That was the straw that finally drove me to this website for peer support, and I thank you all for your stories! I hate having to fake it with an RN because they are who I am supposed to be learning from. However, after that experience I think I have to withhold many of my questions that they obviously think should be mastered by this time.

I think when I'm your age, I may be only getting the grasp of things. At 43, I'm a late comer to nursing. However, as far as faking it, I think my age works to my advantage. Many patients have told me that "your students are doing a very good job!" thinking I am the clinical instructor. lol.

Thanks for the time out you took for this post. It normalizes what I am going through. I will forge ahead, study hard and fake confidence as best as I can.

Thanks to you and everyone who has responded. Reading your notes makes me feel much better. When I say I am in my 3rd semester, I am nervous because I will graduate after my fourth semester. I am almost done! I am in an associates, not a BSN program. I am in the process of applying for summer externship as well and hope that gives me a better inside view of the med surg routine. Right now, a few hours twice a week does not give me a good feel of what it is like being a nurse. I have no intention of quitting at this time but sometimes the self doubt gets the best of me. I should say it consumes me. Fortunately I have a great support system and a wondertful husband who helps to screw my head on tighter when I need it most. Thanks again for taking the time to reassure me when I need it!

Thank you for the much needed inspirational words from someone who thinks daily "am I really going to be able to do this?". Notes like yours really do help.

Thanks. I think I just need these words from you all reinforced. I know I'm not an idiot and manage to do well on my exams. All this seems to be lost when I'm at clinical though. I'm applying for an externship and hope that helps. Thanks for all your replys. mimi

Hi everyone, I'm just reaching out for support. I am in my 3rd semester and feel lightyears away from being a real nurse. I do well on exams but feel like a total moron on the floor. This is my 2nd career and have had no prior pt care experience except for previous clinicals. I am currently feeling overwhelmed with the many nursing responsibilities, critical thinking skills which are lacking on my part at this point, understanding all aspects of the chart and taking care of the basic needs of the pt. I do my best to fake it so I have been getting by OK. I even have difficulty ascultating/differentiating heart and lung sounds! My classmates all seem to have a good grasp in clinical and seem ready for the challenges ahead. Is this normal in the third semester? I feel like a complete poser and my confidence is shot. I really want to become a nurse but am scared witless the pieces are not going to fall into place as I thought they should by now. If anyone has been where I am and moved past these feelings, I could definitely use your help .

I could be wrong about UMDNJ, I hear alot of info from alot of different people, much of which is not always accurate. I also was under the impression that they had an alternate campus more south of Newark. I saw that they have a Stratford campus, but I believe thats closer to Philly and way too far for me. Newark is also a hike. If anyone knows of any other UmDNJ campus', please let me know. Thanks.

Thanks again for more advice. I just heard at CC that UMDNJ has a 2 year wait as well for accelerated BSN so I may not have that option afterall.

Thank you, I'm still on the fence about it. As is, our beds often go unmade, and socks mismatched. Still not certain if I'll be able to manage the load. Thanks again for your feedback.

Hi, I'm new and this is my 1st message. I'm a 43 y.o mom of 4 young kids. I'm currently taking nursing pre req's at our community college and will be done in the Spring. I'm told there is a 2 year waiting list which I should be put on this summer. I have a bachelors degree and masters degree in another field. Here is my conflict. I'm considering an accelerated BSN at Seton Hall or UMDNJ. I could be finished before I even begin a 2yr associates program at the CC. For anyone who is in or has completed this program at either of these schools, Am I setting myself up for failure? While I know we will all have to sacrifice, is it realistic to think I can manage 4 kids and still complete my own studies? How many hours per day are involved away from home? I'm very confused about my best course of action. Any advice or suggestions are welcome and greatly appreciated.