Hello there! My name is Ashlie, and on Monday, I start my 5th level preceptorship. I have a 3.6 cumulative GPA and even made a 4.0 this past semester (4th level - critical care/psych/management). Before I sound like I'm bragging too much, I have a scary confession. I struggle with common sense. I get so nervous that I feel like an idiot half the time. Sometimes, I can't even figure out how to use simple things out of pure fear/nervousness.
I'm terrified of my preceptorship. I worry my preceptor will think I'm a bumbling idiot. I literally am sick over how scared and nervous I am. What if I don't know how to do something? I haven't had the chance to do a lot in clinical. I've only given two IM injections, I've never even done an NG tube or a foley. I'm terrible with IVP meds (mixing, diluting, etc). I feel like I get confused easily and that of course makes me even more nervous. How can I combat this? How can I give myself peace of mind before meeting my preceptor on Thursday? I'm going to review everything I'm unsure of and study, study, study it.
I love nursing. I'm passionate about it. But....I feel like sometimes I'm not smart enough. If I can't figure out the simplest things and I get this nervous, how will I survive the real nursing world? I'm too far now to give up due to fear. I just want to be that smart competent nurse that I see working on the floor.
I will say this. My instructors have always given me great reviews. The only thing I've ever been told that could be viewed as "negative," is that I need to work on my confidence in clinical. How can I do this? I feel like I'm so dumb sometimes. I want to be a nurse so bad, and a good one at that, but I'm feeling torn over this. What should I expect during my preceptorship? How can I work on my common sense? Is there anything I can do to combat these feelings? Obviously, I can't re-study everything I've ever learned in nursing school in the next few days, but I feel like I should. Nursing is pretty much scaring me to death right now!
So your instructors are saying your confidence level is lacking, but in essence you'll become a great nurse?
So from what I read, it's your fear that's holding your confidence level back. Nothin else :)
Go in saying I don't know much but I will when I leave. The worst thing you can do is get cocky, if you know it then you know it, but once people start to get cocky all hell breaks lose.
samist
95 Posts
So your instructors are saying your confidence level is lacking, but in essence you'll become a great nurse?
So from what I read, it's your fear that's holding your confidence level back. Nothin else :)
Go in saying I don't know much but I will when I leave. The worst thing you can do is get cocky, if you know it then you know it, but once people start to get cocky all hell breaks lose.
:)