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Discussion

Thinking of quitting VN school

Hello all. I'm a 21 year old male nursing student, currently a term 3 student out of 4 terms. I also work at a PEDS unit as a CNA. Been one for over a year now. I get very anxious whenever I perform skilled nursing care. My hands visibly shake whenever I do care that requires precision like catheterization, passing meds via GT, NGT insertion, and injections. I'm not good at it.

Last time I passed meds via GT I spilled a little bit of water on the patient's lap. It wasn't my first time. I struggle to simply pour the meds into the syringe. My hands were shaking. I was afraid of spilling my medications. My patient saw I was visibly nervous and started crying. I felt horrible, and tried my best to calm her down. My nursing instructor came to the rescue and passed the rest of my meds. Heck, she even drew insulin for me once because I was so nervous. I never felt so useless.

I sometimes forget things when I'm doing procedures. I recently started smoking too. I've gotten depressed and constantly question my competence as a nurse. I like working with babies for some reason. I just don't feel the pressure like I do with adult patients. Is that bad? I don't get very nervous, and I like treating children.

I dreamed of one day working one of the critical care units like CCU as an RN, ED, ICU, or PACU. Somehow I dream big, but reality hits me hard. On a different note, work has been a little rough too. I sometimes have to excuse myself for a little air because I get all the panic attack symptoms coming on.

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    • Expert

    I would not give up easily if you want to become a nurse. Seek professional help. Start with your personal physician. Be frank with him/her. They might be able to start you on the path to getting in charge of your nerves, perhaps with some therapy, maybe mild medication, what they feel is necessary. Try to help yourself. A strenuous physical fitness program might assist in draining some of the "stress" chemicals from your body. Work out until you exhaust yourself or run until exhausted. Hard to produce an overabundance of stress hormones if your body is drained and relaxed. Seek the help of your instructor. Perhaps mimicking the scenarios at home might help. Get a large syringe and some med cups. Practice preparing your meds and flushes and pretend to talk to your "patient" while you "pour" your meds. Just do things like this over and over until you develop muscle memory. Take up relaxation and breathing exercises. Meditation. Prayer. Maybe others can offer suggestions. Just don't give up easily. Good luck.

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    Don't give up. Practice, practice, practice. You are too close to give up now! Good luck

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    Don't give up you may have anxiety like myself were the same age so I know a lot of our energy goes to nerves. Utilize the classmates you don't normally talk to that will challenge you and get you out of your comfort zone in a mock situation. I feel if you care enough to be nervous about making mistakes you will be more cautious and make a great nurse. Good luck and by the way I have the most unsteady hands ever just learn how to plant your self firmly it helps you don't have to do it how everyone else does it just do it right make your environment comfortable have your supplies set up and close to you.

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    YOU BETTER NOT GIVE UP!!!!!! Just look how far you have come compared to what you have left. Everybody gets nervous when you have someone watching your every move. Believe me I felt the same way when I had clinicals , but practice makes perfect. I spilled water, Colace, etc............. but I never gave up and I graduated. Never let fear keep you from your dreams.

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    • Author

    Thank you all for your responses, I have reignited my desire to become a nurse and finish strong. All your insight is appreciated.

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    I never thought I would make it through nursing school. I hated it so much for what is was doing to me mentally, personally, and physically. After finally finishing and getting my RN I look back and realized it was the best thing I ever did. Made great friends, my relationship became stronger (getting married in July), and I feel like I make a difference.

    Stick with it, you will come out loving it in the end!! 😄😄😄

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