Skills lab and Clinicals

Published

I am having a really hard time with skills lab. One of the instructors is really rude. He expected us to know everything the first time. We have never had the chance to even practice these skills. I can't learn every single thing by just reading the procedures and watching a few videos. I feel like I need to practice myself a few times before getting tested on it. I don't know what to do.. sometimes I'm not sure if i will make a good nurse and will get all these skills perfectly in my head. That instructor really made me feel stupid because he was giving me a really mean and intimidating look. He was getting mad because I was getting confused and really anxious.. but it really had to do with the way he was looking at me.. he was not encouraging at all. We never have open lab or anything so i dont know how to practice these skills I'm also afraid of having him as our clinical instructor. What if I do a skill the wrong way? How do you guys deal with an intimidating instructor? and what ways can I reduce my anxiety. I always wanted to be a nurse but he made me less confident.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency.

The good thing is many of the skills can be done on your classmates if given permission. Not much else to say, unfortunately...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac PCU/Med-Telemetry.

Sounds silly but before skills test I pretend my bedroom is clinical and perform my skills on a teddy bear or my daughter. I do everything on list by reading it then performed it without lists a few times. Yes you can't do it clinical lab but you can still practice at home.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

Do you ever have open lab? I used open lab every opportunity I got. Then I practiced on family members on my off time.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

That is a really good idea! I just don't know how to practice procedures like inserting a foley or NG tube without the dummies and tubes!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Nope we sadly never have open lab:( if we did i would be in there practicing each time! I just feel like I'm not good at reading the steps from a book and then having to perform it with no practice. Practicing these procedures for a couple of times would make me more confident.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac PCU/Med-Telemetry.
That is a really good idea! I just don't know how to practice procedures like inserting a foley or NG tube without the dummies and tubes!

Just go thru procedure and talk yourself thru it like you were actually doing. Yes you can't insert ng or Foley in a teddy bear but you can still pretend it's going in. Tape it down etc. Good luck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion