This is all new to me... Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[courtney.2009]

Today was my 2nd clinical. Last week in clinicals, we were in groups, so it wasn't as nerve racking. But this week we were basically on our own. I had a lot of help from my fellow classmates, and the instructor was around when you needed her... however I feel like I didn't do such a good job. First of all, my patient asked me if this was my first time, and I laughed and told him it's my second. He was very nice, and he understood. Although later in the day, my patient had to be transported to radiation (i'm working in oncology), and the guy that came to transport him was NOT my favorite person. He had asked me if this was my first rotation, and when I said yes he said "Yeah, I can tell." And not in a nice or joking way. This was very discouraging for me. I thought to myself "Am I really doing that bad of a job?" I was already feeling overwhelmed and I felt so scattered. I couldn't seem to get organized. I'll admit, I cried on my way home. I'm just wondering if maybe this isn't the career for me, or is this a normal feeling for the first few times?

Please encourage me.

Thank you for any advice.

[That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Gotta start somewhere. We are not all pros when you hit the floor. Just keep trying, dont give up.

[manu705]

I was definitely the same way. I am in my last semester of nursing school and I look back and see how much I learned. I used to be so nervous and didn't know what I was doing either. It gets much better, just give it time and be confident in what you do. Be sure to ask lots of questions and learn as much as you can!

[ImThatGuy, BSN, RN]

Don't sweat it. Take ownership of the situation. If you're not confident then fake it, but believe in yourself. People can tell when you're unsure of yourself.

[Nepenthe Sea]

It's okay. it's very awkward at first, but you will get used to it. As for the guy giving you a hard time, he may have peed himself on his first day, for all you know! Don't let him get you down. Like a previous poster said, we all have to start somewhere.

[microtutor]

I don't know, right, because I'm new to all this too...but it seems to me we have to give ourselves permission not to know stuff. Nobody comes out of the womb knowing how to walk, or even hold up their head! I plan to assume it is ok not to know things, and ask as many questions as I can before I get completely annoying.