Theory or Clinical?

I feel that I'm also better at theory. I've never had any major problems in clinical, but I don't feel like my skills are where they should be. I'm in 4th semester and I still haven't inserted a foley, NG, etc. I started one IV, but it wouldn't advance (my instructor couldn't get it to either) so I didn't get the full experience. My instructors try to pick good patients for us, but sometimes it's just luck of the draw as to what treatments will be ordered while we are assigned to them. I feel like I'm going to graduate with very little skills experience. The good thing is that I've talked to some nurses on the floors and they said that they felt like that too.. that it takes a while to feel like you know what you are doing. lol

I so far (just started NS a few weeks ago) think Theory is easier, but hey We haven't quite gotten to clinicals yet other than our labs and practice on each other.

Theory is usually easier, because it is all there printed out for you, its factual, even with the critical thinking aspects.

The actual doing a procedure takes practice, not just memorization of your brain but your body too!

I feel that (from my reading around the site) Nursing school gives you all the potential to be a good nurse, and that once you get a job and start orientation at the hospital you put the things you learned how to do into practice, and that is where the practice comes from it sounds like.

BTW, I can't even get the blood pressure thing down either! (can't get used to listening for the beats, i usually look at the needle and where it jumps) But I can count a pulse, woo hoo go me!

I feel that I'm also better at theory. I've never had any major problems in clinical, but I don't feel like my skills are where they should be. I'm in 4th semester and I still haven't inserted a foley, NG, etc. I started one IV, but it wouldn't advance (my instructor couldn't get it to either) so I didn't get the full experience. My instructors try to pick good patients for us, but sometimes it's just luck of the draw as to what treatments will be ordered while we are assigned to them. I feel like I'm going to graduate with very little skills experience. The good thing is that I've talked to some nurses on the floors and they said that they felt like that too.. that it takes a while to feel like you know what you are doing. lol

I have done 2 IVs, which I am very proud of. I think its my best skill lol. Although because the school uses different IV sticks with the hospital, I've never done a complete one, because my instructor finishes it with retracting the needle and all that.

That's what I feel as well. 2 years (I assume you are in the RN program) and they are going to teach us everything we need to know, that is a lot of work.

And I havent actually talked to nurses about my problem, I feel they'd refuse to let me do things as I might be scared and hurt the patient, so I say yes to everything they want me to do haha. I agree. Maybe if we get some experience in the real world this will work out. I just think being a nurse is 70% real world, and 30% ivory tower. xD

I so far (just started NS a few weeks ago) think Theory is easier, but hey We haven't quite gotten to clinicals yet other than our labs and practice on each other.

Theory is usually easier, because it is all there printed out for you, its factual, even with the critical thinking aspects.

The actual doing a procedure takes practice, not just memorization of your brain but your body too!

I feel that (from my reading around the site) Nursing school gives you all the potential to be a good nurse, and that once you get a job and start orientation at the hospital you put the things you learned how to do into practice, and that is where the practice comes from it sounds like.

BTW, I can't even get the blood pressure thing down either! (can't get used to listening for the beats, i usually look at the needle and where it jumps) But I can count a pulse, woo hoo go me!

Oh Im glad for you!

Exactly, I think the clinical one is more important than theory, that's why Im so worried.

Haha I could say Im pretty good at pulse and respirations and temperature.. not so much with the blood pressure (the manual one.. not the electronic).

But that is an interesting quote.. I hope we get to use all this potential! I want to go to the farthest I can get with my nursing career. :] :)

I'm great in theory and clinical is hell for me.