As nursing students one of the most nerve wracking events can be at the bed side performing a new skill. Doing something new that you've never done before can cause intense sweating, nervously shaky hands and a confidence drop. As a seasoned clinical nursing student, I am here to say that I certainly get nervous when doing new skills (or old skills that I have not done many of), and that it is perfectly normal to do so, but I have a few tricks up my sleeve to help you get past some of your nerves.
The first thing I always tell myself when faced with any learning opportunity is to just go for it. If you never try or do, you will never learn and experience. Experience is E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G in clinical. You will not be able to see or do everything that you learn in class, so taking the opportunity to do what you can is the best option. I have certainly been terrified of the concept of doing invasive skills (i.e I turned down my first chance to start an IV because I was nervous) - but you will always have someone with you as a student (or new-grad during orientation), and you will always be re-directed if you start veering off the correct path. Don't worry, you are never alone in the healthcare field. Trust me, once the day is done and you are on your way home, you will regret not having done that new skill. Just take a deep breath, say "yes", and trust the one that is guiding you.
Another important thing to remember is that in two-or so years you will be the nurse. Do not take a back seat during clinical - this is your time to learn the skills that you will be required and expected to learn when you are an actual professional RN. There is no backseat driving when you are the real nurse.
But, back to your current student situation -
Practice the skills you will most likely see/are most scared of in your practice lab. In my experience, many students do not practice their skills in the lab unless it is right before skills demonstration. But, if you are feeling iffy about difficult skills like putting in an Indwelling Urinary Catheter, practice makes perfect. Going through the motions and practicing your sterile technique will ease that part of your nerves when it is time to glove up and perform the real deal.
Understand that you are not the only "new nursing student" and have not been "the only person nervously performing this skill". The nurse at the bedside watching and helping you was in your shoes years back when they were in school. We all start from the beginning, we are all learning, we are all trying. Do not let the experience and the credentials of the person standing beside you scare you into taking a back seat. Use them as the guide they are meant to be - your preceptor for that clinical day should show you unique opportunities and allow you to do things at the bedside when possible.
Overall, as a nursing student you need to remember that you are not expected to know everything. There is always going to be a learning curve at every new facility, new unit, and new specialty. Take each learning curve as new opportunities. Do not doubt yourself, do not find yourself overly confident to the point of haste, and take every clinical session day by day.
Nursing school is all about the journey and nerves are a natural large part of it - you just have to gain experience. Experience lends itself to eventual confidence. You can do this.
Thank you for reading this post, I hope that I was able to offer some advice towards one of the most natural and common feeling in nursing school.
- Michelle
#BSNbabe
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