Starting Clinicals This Week And I Feel So Un prepared

[vagirl76]

I usually search for topics that I need help in,but this time I was hoping to get some more recent responses. I've been an Lpn student for 6 months and next week we are starting Intro to Medsurge, Pharmacology,and clinicals,which until june,will be twice a week. We have done head to toe assessments maybe 4 times,and we've never practiced writing an assessment. She just gave us a sheet with some of the words to use. So we had to go to a graduation for te class of 2012, and I met the professors that I wll have for clinicals and pharmacology. I'm already super nervous about the medical math part, but to add to that,the instructors said we can use notes during the first 2 assessments,and after that no notes. So now I'm terrified of failing out due to not doing or writing my head to toe assessments correctly or because of not passing the medical math test that we have to get 100 on. Right now my average in everything is between 96% and 98% and I'm praying it stays that way. Any words of encouragement and/or tips would be greatly appreciated.

[heathert_kc]

Remember you are a student you are not supposed to know everything and instructors cannot expect you to know how to do something perfectly that you have never done or practiced. Even if you have practiced it lab and real world are totally different. I know it can be really nerve racking. Just review the book stuff regarding charting/documentation. Hands on is just different. Of coorifice you want to do well, but ultimately your goal needs to be taking every opportunity to learn and experience as much as you can. Take advantage of lab, if your school offers additional lab time outside of class. Not sure what your background in math courses is, but nursing math is not that hard. I had dropped out of college algebra, because it was over my head, and then worked my butt off to get a B in intermediate algebra; definitely not a strong math student. Then when I was doing my LPN the pharmocology math was a breeze. If you are not getting something, see your instructor they are there to help you. Check into getting a pharm math book, it may explain it in a different way; if you are still struggling. Math is a bit more cut and dry than those tricky nursing questions.

Be sure you know the class policy. Often times, yes you have to pass with really high if not perfect marks, but can you re-test if you do not pass the first time around?? I think we were given a second shot. Plus you are not going to take that test the second day of class it is probably once you have covered all the material and reviewed it taken quizes, etc. so you will know if you are understanding it or not.

You seem to be doing great so far, though it may get harder you have to be up to the challenge and keep your goals in mind and stay focused. 97% average is a long way from failing, not being perfect at a hands on tasks is not automatic failure. You have to take a deep breath and relax you will do fine.

[vagirl76]

Thanks so much for your feedback. My first day of Pharm was today and the teacher seems very eager to teach. I will definetely take advantage of any labs and anything else that will help. Clinicals was changed to this Tuesday,so I'm goin to go in there with confidence and do my best.