1st day clinical. I know nothing? is this normal?

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Sooo I had my first day of clinicals... It went well... did some trach care... learned a lot about TPN, tube feeding... saw how you administer it etc... but I feel like I know nothing.. Is this normal? I look at the IV's and have no idea what I would do to set the flow rate...amount to be infused... I kind of feel like I'm in this setting....trying to care for patients yet dont know NEARLY enough that I should.. I know learning all the meds, charting etc will come with time...but wow, im overwhelmed.

I feel so behind..Im amazed at how much the nurses know... and I know I'll get there but did any of you feel like this too? I hope I'm not alone.. its just kind of a scary feeling going into a hospital and feeling so behind and unknowledgable...any feedback would help :):confused:

Unfortunately that feeling will last most of nursing school, but the good news is you're definitely not alone. I'm in my 3rd semester and I still feel like i know nothing during clinicals sometimes. I think its partly just because you're in a completely new atmosphere so even the simple little things seem more difficult to do. And every hospital has its own routine and way of doing things, and even though they all use the same equipment they use different brands so they're all a little different. But I bet you know more than you think, and as long as you go into clinicals with an open mind ready to learn and eager to participate you'll be fine :)

Specializes in ER, Med-Surg.

Don't worry this is only your first clinical!! I didn't know anything either. I am in my second semester and we just learned about IV's and flow rates so that is not something you are EXPECTED to know already.

I know I hear alot of people talking about how they feel like they know nothing but I feel pretty good about everything. I know that I don't know everything but I'm ok with that because I know I will learn. I have learned that ASK QUESTIONSS!! That is the key. Anytime I do not know anything I ask the nurse. Alot of the time they don't look like they want to be bothered or look busy...well you best walk up and keep pace with them and talk to them on their way to wherever. My clinical instructor taught us that we need to be assertive because they will not come to us and offer to teach us things.

My first semester of clinicals I was terrified of the nurses and I just stayed out of their way because they never seemed friendly. Even if you don't ask the nurses lots of questions at least follow them around and watch them. I will usually just say "Hey I'm just going to follow you around if that's ok!" and half the time they're like okay whatever.

So do not fret my dear! It will all make sense in time!

I'm in my last semester and still feel like an idiot most of the time....

Nursing school doesn't really do a good job in preparing students for the clinical environment. You don't cover nearly enough before being thrust out into the real world with staff members doing things the way people do it rather than the school's book method. I don't think you're behind at all. It seems like you're on track actually. Just tear into whatever you want to learn about and have fun.

Thanks so much everyone... puts my mind at ease a little. I guess it will come with time... thank you so much for the feedback. if anyone has any suggestions they are greatly appreciated :)

Specializes in Infusion.

I found the first few days I gave myself a tour and orientation. Figure out where to get ice water for patients (who are allowed to have water), warm blankets, wipes, clean linen, syringes (to discontinue a catheter), 2x2 gauze. Poke around a little. If you have not worked as a CNA, work with a CNA doing total patient care. We are on week 10 or 11 of clinicals and I am getting a new piece of the puzzle every day. As soon as I learned a new skill and got ok'd, I would find a patient that I could do that skill on.

Specializes in Hospice and Home Health.

I am having the same feeling. I've thought about all this stuff for many, many months, but that sure doesn't equate to doing it! I have to remind myself that, with 6 weeks of school and two clinical days, I should relax, realize that it will come in due course and cut myself a little slack. It's hard not to feel like I'm just in the way, but I learned so much in one hour just watching what was going on. Perhaps one also has to be a little assertive and get in there, regardless of the fear of screwing up...

Every hospital has different equipment so it's hard to prepare students for everything. What I have been doing is when I'm paired with a nurse that you can tell is open to teaching, I ask as many questions as time permits. But yeah I think this is normal. At least it's been the experience for me so far lol

I feel exactly the same way... lol I know nothing and I don't know how I will ever know everything these nurses know

Specializes in LTC, Med-surg.

My first day of clinical which happened like 2 weeks ago I was the biggest idiot ever.

I am pretty sure my instructor thinks I'm stupid. First off, I was paired with my classmate for 1 pt.

She was showing us how she did a head-to-toe assessment on a postpartum pt. She asked us

where the pulses in the foot were. I guessed the tibial pulse was lateral when it was medial. I felt SO STUPID, my classmate

also guessed lateral. She looked at us like we were idiots.

Then, before she threw away the baby formula bottle she asked us if we got the measurement of the feeding and

I honestly didn't know if my partner got it. I thought she did. The instructor threw it out only to have us retrieve it again to get

an accurate reading. OMG she was really mad.

Then, we failed at making the unoccupied bed! When I was taking the axillary temperature on the newborn I didnt put the probe all the way in for fear of hurting it but she showed me to push it in deeper. I felt really bad about not getting the right technique.

Anyway, yeah, my first clinical day was a trainwreck. I don't think it gets any worse from here. I have a pretty good idea of what I'm going to do now that I've made so many stupid mistakes.

I'm really scared that my instructor will use this as a ground to fail me...do you think she will fail me for this kind of performance on my first day?

What you feel is completely normal!! Just remember to BREATHE and ask questions! Don't be afraid to ask questions!!!!

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