Shaky hands? Nervousness in clinicals?

[spuropathy]

Im typically a laidback person. I dont worry about things too seriously. I know I can do the skill but once I am in front of my instructor and my patient, my hands start to shake, and my nose gets terribly runny (which is the one thing I most hate).

So yesterday I was giving injections in a flu clinic and its the same thing. I hate it when my hands shake and I cannot give an injection without my hands wobbling. Because of that I always drop something on the floor (band-aid, cotton balls, needle cap) and Im in my fourth semester of nursing, I would expect myself to be adept at this stuff but clinicals is just not for me.

Any tips for nervousness guys?

[Neveranurseagain, RN]

Have you thought about seeing a counselor--a LCWS? I know it sounds crazy but a friend of mine is one. She specializes in Sports Performance but the same techniques can be applied to nursing. She uses guided imagery and relaxation to get athletes over the "jitters" and focus on improving skills. Google guided imagery for more info.

[Virgo_RN, BSN, RN]

I've been a nurse for over a year, and I still get nervous if I am being watched by someone with authority.

How I made it through, was I learned how to fake confidence. Now, this does not mean that you fake knowing what you're doing. Never, EVER do something if you don't know how to do it properly. Faking confidence means you walk into that room/work area/whatever, with an air of total confidence in yourself. If that means you have to take a moment beforehand, take a big deep breath or two, put a big smile on your face, and give yourself a little pep talk ("You can do this"), then do it. I found that helped me so much not only during clinical, but when I started practicing as an LPN as well.

[NewWayofLife]

I have a baseline tremor to begin with... but in nursing school, I freaked myself out so much worrying that the tremor would be a problem that I made it 10x worse. I agree with previous posters that limiting caffeine is your first step. For me, beta-blockers were the best solution- but that is something that you'd need to discuss with your own MD.

The good news? Once I got past that initial "OMG, how am I ever gonna give an injection like this?" and got some practice, I became REALLY good at injections. I saw you went to a flu clinic... that's great! If you have the chance to volunteer for any more (we were able to sign up for "extra" flu clinics if we felt we need practice), do so.

I have been out of school almost 3 years now, and no longer need to take meds for my tremor. Every once in a while, a patient will notice it, and I just say "Wow, guess I need to lay off those red bulls, huh?" (I work nights, so this goes over well, LOL) And if they're A&O, I'll just laugh and tell them it's just a little tremor, and it doesn't stop me from doing my job. These are usually the patients I end up having to give some kind of injection to, and they'll say "wow, I didn't even feel it"

Confidence comes with time... and until then, like the previous poster says "fake it until you make it" But know you are definitely NOT alone in this, and it will get easier!

[ladyremyc]

i am glad that i found this site, I thought i was alone. I get so nervous sometimes during cllinicals some days worse than others, today was absolutly the worst as i was doing a IV. My instructor said I never saw you shake like that before, I believe I need to withdraw from the amount of caffeine I take in each day. I am glad that I am not alone. Thanks for all the great posts.!!!

[kristie0701]

Im typically a laidback person. I dont worry about things too seriously. I know I can do the skill but once I am in front of my instructor and my patient, my hands start to shake, and my nose gets terribly runny (which is the one thing I most hate).

So yesterday I was giving injections in a flu clinic and its the same thing. I hate it when my hands shake and I cannot give an injection without my hands wobbling. Because of that I always drop something on the floor (band-aid, cotton balls, needle cap) and Im in my fourth semester of nursing, I would expect myself to be adept at this stuff but clinicals is just not for me.

Any tips for nervousness guys?

My boyfriend had the same problem during his first clinical rotation. How did he get around it. 1) Practice in front of someone else over and over until you feel comfortable with it. 2) Do not look at the instructor while performing the task, just imagine your are performing it in front of the same person you practiced with.