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

[Courtcatt]

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 :)

[daisyfleur70]

I'm in my last semester of nursing school, doing my preceptorship and I have been feeling this way too. We learn about nursing in pieces, it seems like, and each clinical experience is different, depending on the program and the hospital site. Now that I am in a position to have to pretty much apply everything I've learned, I'm struggling with parts of it.

My assessments are solid, but when my preceptor asks me what labs will doctor most likely want to order (I'm precepting in the ER), or why we're administering a particular drug, or what have you... I feel like a deer in headlights. It takes me a minute or two, or I need some prompting, or sometimes I just get it wrong. :-/

One thing that I have been hearing throughout nursing school is that even with everything we're learning, there's still so much more to learn, and that the first year of nursing is still going to feel like you're a nursing student, because of all of the things you are learning on the job.

We just have to push our doubts aside, be open to learning and do our best. (I say this as much for my own benefit as anyone else's! LOL) The nurses always make everything look so easy, but over time you will see that even experienced nurses have off days, where they can't make an IV stick, or they forget to chart something or what have you. We can't compare ourselves, nursing students, to a nurse who's been a working RN for several years.

Hang in there and good luck!

[daisyfleur70]

@jngo91 No... I wouldn't think so none of those mistakes were the kind that would put a patient in jeopardy. Those are all legit rookie mistakes. If it makes you feel better, last night I had taken a urine specimen from a patient, did the urine dip, then tossed the specimen, forgetting that it needed to go to the lab for a more in depth UA. durrr. I was mortified, but my preceptor just kinda laughed it off and said "just go tell the patient you didn't get enough urine, and see if they can pee again." (and I am doing my senior practicum!) Stuff happens. Just do your best. These mistakes help us learn...and the more embarrassing the mistake...the less likely we are to repeat it.

[FLmed]

Completely normal. I graduated from nursing school in May 2012, and I've been a Registered Nurse since June. I've been working in the hospital for about 9 weeks now. I'm just now feeling like I'm semi-competent, and I know I still have a long way to go. Give yourself time to digest all of this material that is thrown at you. Take any opportunity to learn new skills while you can. Try not to miss any clinical days either. You'd be short changing yourself. Ask questions!!! The new nurses who don't ask questions are the ones you have to worry about. Your job should always be about conducting yourself in a safe manner and aiding in the patient's recovery. You aren't expected to know it all. Soooo ask questions and learn! It helps to keep you a safe healthcare provider. Good luck!!!!

[Mrsladysoul83]

We had clinicals today @ the nursing home & my partner & i were switching up doing vital signs(temperatures) & she put the probe in the probe box to get the cover & didnt realize that the cover didnt stick & put it in the patients mouth & when the Patient screamed "oh s%&$" she freaked out(partner & patient) & the patient was telling everybody that helped them today that she probably got MRSA & that she was feeling fine until the student took her temp without covering the probe! My friend is beating herself up about it & now thinks she wont be a good nurse! What else can i tell her because everything i've said to her has gone in 1 ear & come out the other!