upset, overwhelmed

[myrtledturtle]

I'm not having a very good experience with nursing school!! I do great in class, but when it comes to clinicals, it just doesn't seem like it's meant for me. I'm a quiet person, and I feel like I can't make my patient feel as comfortable as they should be because I'm not very talkative. The actual clinical skills aren't that difficult, I just feel disoriented and "new", and I just generally have a not so great feeling about becoming a nurse. I don't know what to do! Any advice?

[myrtledturtle]

Thanks so much for your replies! I had my second clinical this morning, and it went much better than my first, I felt like I was more oriented to the floor and to what I was going to expect. Yesterday was just stressful and emotional and one of those "what am I doing here?" moments. I feel like I made more of a difference today, and I had to go to the mall afterward and I found myself saying hello's and how are you's to random people :)

thanks y'all

[Truly_Blessed]

No advice...just wanted to say I feel really nervous about clinicals also. I haven't started mine yet(start in November)but during check offs I am a sweaty mess. Not only will the patients make me nervous...but I know I will be extremely nervous when my instructors come in to check on me:rolleyes:

[HyperRNRachel]

This is going to sound crazy, but PRETEND you're outgoing...PRETEND you know how to interact with your patients..

Pretend long enough and it becomes second nature :)

That is great advice. You are with people who do not know you, you can be whatever personality you want to be.

[jennielynn]

Everyone has had some great suggestions here--I especially like the one about pretending to be outgoing and it will come naturally--how true!!!

Also take into consideration that you don't have to be "too talkative" with your patient. Yes, you have to interact with them and make them comfortable. you also have to let them know that they are more than just a MRN to you. But most patients are in the hospital for a reason--and who wants a chatty SN when you are feeling like crap!

Yes we have to talk to our patients---but it really doesn't take as much effort as some people think. Pretend that your patient is someone you know--like good old Mrs Smith from down the road. You'll be surprised to learn that the patient is probably more nervous about talking with you!!!

It will get easier as time goes on!

[talaxandra]

I just want to second (well, I think it's eleventh!) everyone who said to act confident. Before I began nursing I was seriously shy and retireing, and I sometimes still am in my personal life. However I learned in my first week on the wards that patients give the role respect, regardless of how inadequate you feel (except, of course, for those patients who just don't respect anyone, and then it's clearly not your fault :))

The other thing to keep in mind is that of course you feel unprepared and out of your element - you are! It's natural to feel like this at first, but before you know it you'll feel as at home on the floor as you do in your living room, and you won't even notice the transition. I promise :)

Good luck

[laughing weasel]

Go with the pretend that you are confident wand you will be. Think ahead about what you will say. If you need to use note cards you can the patient will probably think that you are looking at notes for the procedure. The good thing is that you can use the same stuff with each patient they are not comparing notes. Keep it simple. They are just as nervous as you are and they are weak. Good luck!

[rn undisclosed name]

Everyone had really good advice for you. I would just like to add some very inexperienced advice. Now, I've only had 2 clinicals so far. But, so far I make sure I always ask them how they're doing, how they're coping, what their family situation is at home, how they feel about their stay and their diagnosis. I just remember to keep referring everything back to them and it really opens up the conversation. Now last week I did have a very talkative patient. She just loved to talk and talk and I had trouble getting all my stuff done on her and redirecting her to why she was really there. I also found that they don't really want to be in the hospital so if you can get them to talk about their concerns and stuff it helps. The plus side to all that is you're getting things for your care plan. Oh, and if they have the tv on you can talk to them about what's on the tv also.

BTW, I am normally a pretty quiet and shy person too so I am really finding myself working at it.

Good luck and it will get easier.

Kelly