To the nurses: any advice for student who dreads post conference during clinical

[crunchytaco]

I am a shy individual. I'm almost graduating soon and you would think I would feel better during post conference. However, I dread it so much. Everyone is well spoken, and yet I stutter and it makes me look like I'm not a good student. When I'm put on the spot, I freeze up and sometimes I feel like I make no sense when I speak. Throughout clinical, I try to write every single thing down on my paper and try to practice in the bathroom because I am so scared of post conference when I have to speak in front of others. Please give me some advice. Thank you.

[PalmHarborMom]

I am also a nursing student. Here's what I do.... I do clinicals at a VA hospital in the Spinal Cord Unit, the nurses have a paper that shows all the patients current dx, labs, test & procedures ordered/ received, any precautions for pt and all things like IV's, foleys, suprapubic cath's, colostomy's etc. I usually make sure that I can look at that paper and write down all pertinent info about the pt and then write my nursing diagnosis and care plan. Having all the information right there helps when giving a report at post-conference. In the mornings, we also sit in on the shift change report. It really helps to hear how experienced nurses give a report. Personally, I would ask yourself why you are so nervous? All the people that are in the room during post-conference want to see you succeed. In my clinical group, we all cheer eachother on. If you feel rushed.... slow down. If you feel judged.... you are not. Remember that everyone starts somewhere, just keep reminding yourself that you are still learning. (even after graduation you will be learning for quite awhile.)

All the nurses that I have talked to at my hospital say that they have to give a report at the end of each shift in front of everyone. So you need to work on gaining more confidence speaking in front of your peers.

[RNperdiem, RN]

What kind of questions are the students being asked? If you can anticipate the kinds of questions you are going to be asked, then you can have some answers thought out beforehand. That way you will be less put "on the spot".

Think of this exercise as practice in the future.

When you call a doctor, you will learn to anticipate what questions they will ask. I quickly learned to have the most recent vital signs handy when calling after the first couple of calls.

It sounds like you are on the right track in practicing and preparing. You are a student, and the others are nervous too.

[Skips, MSN, RN]

Well, I'm not a nurse...I'm a student, but....

I am shy, too.

I hate speaking in front of groups.

I used to think I sounded stupid/stuttery/made zero sense when I spoke, but after watching a video I had to record for a class, and listening to myself over a microphone for a class, I realized that I sounded just fine. In my head, I was thinking I was doing a lot worse with speaking than I actually was. Perhaps it's a mental block for you like it was for me.

If it's not a mental block, and you're pretty sure you are stuttering and not making sense, then you should take a deep breath right before it's your turn (that's what I do), and try to get your heart rate down a bit. Works like a charm. I forget words all the time when I'm speaking in front of a group, so I do not have advice there if you need it. I'm still working on that.

You know what you're talking about post-conference, and I'm sure your fellow students can benefit from your information. Try to feel like you're providing an important part of the discussion, rather than sounding silly. I'm sure your classmates and instructor feel otherwise.