Took a semester off...now I'm in a panic!

[FunkyMama1733]

So, I completed, successfully, the first two semesters of nursing school. Then, due to some very difficult life circumstances, I had to take a semester off during the Summer (we are year round and go right through). I am entering back right into the third semester tomorrow, and I am panicking. I never really clicked with the clinical setting to begin with. It felt more like something I had to survive and less something that I actually learned anything from (I realize how negative that sounds, but it truly held very little value with regards to actually learning about the nursing process. Especially because none of our nurses had any time to talk to us about anything AT ALL).

The only time I felt a good solid connection and had a great experience was when I was working labor and delivery or Mom/Baby. I have worked with childbearing women (in a slightly different role) for many years now, and so it felt like a natural fit. But, being on the other floors, and dealing with the clinical instructors from different areas that aren't nice, aren't around when you need them, and treat you like you should already know the answer to things even when we haven't covered them in class yet....well it just makes me want to drop it all. I won't, of course, but it's difficult to find the desire to continue, when I feel like I am looking at 3 semesters of me potentially continuing to feel like a moron every time I go to clinical. Sigh. Again, I really don't want to be a Negative Nancy.....but I don't know what I am supposed to be doing, and whenever I have sought out help, I've been met with either frustration or just ignoring me all together.

Looking for some words of wisdom? What SHOULD I be doing? And am I the only one who doesn't feel like they are getting anything out of clinical?

[jazz1915]

I totally get what you're saying. Believe me when I say that many do feel this way. If you feel like a “moron” in nursing school, I think it’s because you’re supposed to. If you didn’t, then you might be a potentially “unsafe” student. There are types of students that may feel that they know everything or have "too much" confidence in their abilities. These students would be the ones to worry about regarding patient safety. You, on the other hand, are aware of your limitations and abilities which help you develop patient safety skills. You can never go wrong with that.

I’m in my last semester of nursing school and feel the same way about clinical. My goal going in is to ensure patient safety above all, not get into trouble, and to just survive. I will ask questions to my clinical instructor that may seem insignificant, but in the end they can’t condemn you for it. You may annoy them at best.

As for the instructors not being so helpful, I’m wondering if you have an adviser in your program. If you do, it might be worthwhile to discuss this with him/her. If you do not have an advisor and are feeling brave you can tell your clinical instructor that you would like to speak to her about this. Communication is key and surprisingly merits a lot of respect. I wish you the best and you are not alone. Remember to breathe.

[NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN]

I took two semester off and trust me you will be fine. You will be surprised on how much info. you have retained. Good luck !

[AppalachianRNstudent]

Think of it this way - you know that you like L&D. So, when you graduate you already have a good fit. You can do it. I bet when you jump back into things it will all come back to you. Don't worry so much, you'll be fine.