Sooo Nervous to start clinicals

NurseLatteDNP, MSN, DNP, RN · Jan 28, 2006

You will do great. Just remember that most of your co students are just as nervous as you are. Good luck to you.

jmeNSinTn · Jan 28, 2006

You will do fine. Orientation is easy just sit back and take it all in. Also your first actual clinical will not be as bad as you expect. I was real nervous on my first one and at the end of the day I was like, that wasn't so bad.

I am in my second semester and I am starting back at clinicals on Monday for 12 hours.

I hope your day goes well, let us know how it went for you.

Guitar_Heroine · Jan 28, 2006

You'll be great! Just remember most things come easier doing them in real life than when you're mimicking them at school. (But practice as much as you can!)

AllieRat · Jan 28, 2006

You'll be fine. I was super nervous in my fundamentals clinical but our instructor is super nice and now knows how nervous I get so she'll have me to the proceedure until I'm at the comfort level where I can do it without thinking. It's amazing how quickly you forget to do something as simple as tying a slip knot in a restraint when you're being watched. :chuckle

MIA-RN1, RN · Jan 28, 2006

Orientation is there so that you can get an idea of what you are going to do, and begin to plan what to bring, what kinds of things you'll do etc. So hopefully you are feeling better now.

ANd I know its been posted before--but misery loves company right? :) -- we all feel that way at first clinical, no matter what semester.

Let us know how it went.

S.N. Visit, BSN, RN · Jan 28, 2006

Your instructor won't expect that much of you in your first clinicals. She/he will be there to help you along every step of the way.

(I was nervous going to my first clinical as well. Turns out that I hit a deer on my way to clinical so I was probably as frazzeled as one could be on their first day :chuckle: The day turned out fine, with out considering I had $3,000.00 damage to my car.)

RedSox33RN · Jan 29, 2006

You will do fine! Just remember that ALL of you will be nervous at first, but believe it or not, it will become "old hat" very quickly, and you will really get to enjoy helping "your" patients.

michellebsn · Jan 29, 2006

Me too! I start level 2's with Adult health care and gerontology. we start out with one patient who we are responsible for and even though I work in an ER I am not used to doing care plans, NG tubes, IV titrations etc. med/Surg is an unfamiliar place to me.then again so was my first ER shift.But I am a tech and the RNS would always be there to guide me . Ive done a foley ( twice), but never an NG or other tube or catherization....i guess its fear of the unknown and hopefully we will get more comfortable as the clinicals go on.I am just afraid of making a major error or not having an expected answer or rationale for a nursing intervention at the drop of a hat.....any advice from those deeper into clinicals? Good luck and God( or whatever higher power) help us all!

Pchez31 · Jan 29, 2006

Orientation went well. I do have to say after going through orientation, I am less nervous and I think I'll be okay. I am excited to start working with patients. Thanks everyone for your support.

clarkmanda · Jan 30, 2006

I understand being nervous. I was so scared when I started clinical last semster. I just kept thinking this person is going to think I am the dumbest nursing student ever. I was so nervous I put the BP cuff on backward! But then as the day progressed I got calmer and things got better. But still your first day stinks but it gets better and you gain confidence and this confidence allows you do better and better in a way that I can't really describe. It isn't a cocky thing-it is more of a reassuring thing to yourself. And it helps to have a little note stuck somewhere where you will see it everyday that says "You will pass, you can do this, you will be a nurse." Mine is in my bathroom by the mirror. I mean it, if you don't have a nursing student note, I highly suggest you get one. I look at mine everyday and it really helps me get motivated.

michellebsn · Jan 30, 2006

I understand being nervous. I was so scared when I started clinical last semster. I just kept thinking this person is going to think I am the dumbest nursing student ever. I was so nervous I put the BP cuff on backward! But then as the day progressed I got calmer and things got better. But still your first day stinks but it gets better and you gain confidence and this confidence allows you do better and better in a way that I can't really describe. It isn't a cocky thing-it is more of a reassuring thing to yourself. And it helps to have a little note stuck somewhere where you will see it everyday that says "You will pass, you can do this, you will be a nurse." Mine is in my bathroom by the mirror. I mean it, if you don't have a nursing student note, I highly suggest you get one. I look at mine everyday and it really helps me get motivated.

Thanks! i will do that.I have had concepts and fundamentals .Its just the Med/surg with more responsibilities including all phases of the patients care. Unlike fundamentals Adult health care one seems scarier but you are right they can't possibly expect us level 2 BSNs to be perfect from the start. Thanks for the advice.I am making an affirmation card for my mirror now!

aloha!

Michelle