tips on student nursing?

Jennerizer, ASN, RN · Apr 18, 2003

The role of a student nurse.......learn as much as you can & be prepared to be emotionally tested like never before.

Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN · Apr 18, 2003

There are lots of resources at my student site. Feel free to check it out:

http://www.msn.groups/thestudentnurseslounge

Mithrah · Apr 18, 2003

I am a student nurse in clinicals and you will be giving lots of meds po, IM, SQ, and G-tube. I do a head to toe physical assessment first thing and I do total patient care, which includes feeding feeders, bedpan, I/O, changing bed, dressings, etc. Plus I am able to start a Foley catheter or IV, but I haven't had the opportunity to do those yet.

As students we help out the employed staff so much but they don't seem to appreciate it. It is hard being a student because you don't know where all the supplies are and the workers expect you to know everything.

Good luck!

And know WHY you are giving a particular drug!

krisRN2B · Apr 18, 2003

thanks for your posts guys. much appreciated. i am so scared sometimes and i feel like i'm not always sure i can go through with nursing although i have not even started clinicals! any one else feel like this?

RNIAM, BSN, RN · Apr 18, 2003

In my school we look after the patient completely, Bath, meds,Dressing changes, the whole deal, contact so and so for this that and the other thing. I have had an awesome experience at the facilty we do our clinicals at. The nurse are spot on! If you have a question they are happy to answer you. Our instructors are awesome! It is still very stressful, demanding and just plain tough. I have never felt unappreciated during clinical. I have felt very empowered by the strength of the nursing staff.

RN 2005 · Apr 18, 2003

Absolutely!! I have the same feelings and I am sure many others do as well. It is the fear of the unknown that is the worst I think. Once we get in there and get our feet wet I am sure it will be easier. I am so excited about what is ahead of us. I am following my dream so I am not letting the butterflies get me down - Yet that is!! :rotfl:

I have learned alot from this board and you will see that there are many of us out there sharing the same anxieties. Knowing what to expect in clincals helps so I always read the old posts!!

Good luck to you on your journey and see you on the board!

Kris

Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN · Apr 18, 2003

I mistyped my above link. My student site is at:

http://groups.msn.com/thestudentnurseslounge

love4neos · Apr 18, 2003

You all will make it. Like Jen be well prepared to be emotionally tested. If you have a significant other, you should probably prewarn him of the stress and temporary psychosis that you will be going through! I can remember the end of my first semester we had to do a physical assessment on one of the other students, in front of the teachers, explaining as we went everything we were looking for and what was WNL from head to toe. It was also finals week, so I focused mainly on studying those instead of every testing every cranial nerve. Much less to say it was the night before the demonstrated assessment, and I was ready to be admitted! My boy-friend (now my husband, God bless him!) was over at my dorm, I WAS A MESS!! I was trying to practice this assessment on him, and speak out loud as I would in front of the teachers. He hung his head and made me feel so stupid...I snapped. Screamed at him hit him a few times, and threw his shoes out in the hall way and told him to GET OUT!! I was trippin' My dorm-mates came running down the hall, I was crying, not thinking I would ever make it through that last day of my first semester. I still say, one more day and I would have been an inpatient, but I made it, and did very well. As all the rest of you, who really want it, will too.

Dublin37 · Apr 18, 2003

WE CAN DO IT! Ok, maybe some of us, well maybe just me will fall on her face occasionally, but heck, I'm learning! Just get back up and try again!!! (Or just lock me up in one of those cushy, little rooms, with those nice wrap around jackets! hee hee)

Heather

maeyken · Apr 18, 2003

Sure there's times that are hard, but then there's also good times! I think the best advice is just to be open to new situations, and feel free to ask questions. Some docs and nurses will probably not be too nice, but the majority are... you'll soon learn who the meanie ones are! :)

Good luck!

~ mae

howie122832 · Apr 19, 2003

Just remember that you can not possibly know everything, and everyone you will be working with knows that, (although they may not show it!) Just remember to open your mind, ask lots of questions, and NEVER pretend to know something you don't! It's ok to admit that you don't know it, but be willing to learn it! Clinicals are scary at first, but you will get the hang of it! Remember, every pro was a beginner at some point!