When it’s time to trade mannequins and simulations for real patients, even the most confident student nurse can get a case of the jitters.
Many RNs-to-be worry not only about acing their clinical skills but also about getting along with patients and hospital personnel. “I tell students who are [starting their clinical education] that they really know more than they think they do, and that they actually can do the things they were trained to do,” says Susan Bankston, a senior at the University of Texas (UT) School of Nursing at Houston.
Try these tips to overcome your anxiety:
Realize You’re Normal
Even experienced nurses were once nervous students. “Every nurse starts out in exactly the same place feeling the exact same way,” says Donna Cardillo, RN, a career coach and author of Your First Year as a Nurse. She recommends asking more advanced students how far they’ve come since their first patient encounters and meeting with fellow students to vent and share experiences. “This gives you the sense that everybody has to go through it and makes you more comfortable,” she says.
Be Conscientious
Careful preparation may not completely banish your nervousness, but it will keep you busy so you won’t have time to stew. Perfect each skill in the clinical lab before attempting it in the hospital, says Gwen Sherwood, PhD, RN, FAAN, professor and executive associate dean at the UT School of Nursing at Houston.
Do your homework the night before meeting patients so you’re familiar with their care. If you’re shy, practice what you plan to say when entering a room, Sherwood advises. Bankston recommends getting plenty of rest the night before your clinical debut and allowing yourself ample time to get to the facility you’ll be working at.
Act Professionally
The basic rules of any workplace apply to students gaining hospital experience. Be friendly, make eye contact, and introduce yourself to patients and other health professionals, Cardillo recommends. Don’t expect all nurses to be talkative or helpful; they may be overburdened and stressed from staffing shortages or other difficulties.
“Take the initiative to help,” she suggests. “Offer to get supplies or turn a patient. If you’re friendly and helpful, people will want to be friendly and helpful to you.”
Other healthcare professionals will come to appreciate an eager student. “If you’re willing to do some of the dirty work that will alleviate their workloads, they’ll love you,” Bankston says.
Lean on Others
Acting professionally also means asking for help when you need it. Many students are relieved to learn that they’ll have a great deal of supervision and provide very little care independently during their first semester of clinicals. “There are lots of checks and balances in the care process, including the clinical instructor and other nurses,” Sherwood says. Clinical instructor styles may range from motherly to tough, Cardillo says, but all are there to answer questions and help shape you into a capable nurse.
Show You Care
The nursing school adage of “the patient doesn’t care how much you know, the patient wants to know how much you care” is generally true, Bankston says. Although Bankston fumbled the first few times she took a temperature or blood pressure, patients were usually tolerant. “Patients want to know that someone cares about them and is listening to them,” she says. Cardillo adds that patients also expect a student nurse to be as courteous and respectful of their privacy as any other nurse.
Persevere
A little queasiness is normal when nursing students begin working with real flesh and blood. “I’ve gotten emails from students saying, ‘I thought I was going to throw up when I was doing a certain skill. Does that mean I shouldn’t be a nurse?'” Cardillo says. “Most nurses get over their queasiness or learn to work around it.”
However, do try to downplay your skittishness if possible. “You don’t want to look too nervous in front of patients, because it will make them jumpy,” says Fay Bower, RN, DNSc, FAAN, chair of the Holy Names University Department of Nursing in Oakland. “Some skills are scarier than others, but once you’ve done it a few times, you’ll be pretty good at it.”
BSN Info Sessions – July
In preparation for the September classes, please plan to attend either of these informative hour long presentations to learn more about the program, the requirements…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Meet The RN Advocating For Disabled Candidates
Applying for a new job can be overwhelming and stressful. For candidates with disabilities, the hiring process can be a disheartening experience. According to the CDC,…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
NCLEX Study Strategies
Expert Test-Taking Strategies One of the first things you should do when you begin preparing for the NCLEX is to determine your learning style to…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Sumner College: an excellent choice for those wishing to pursue a career in the health care field
In a message from our College President, Joanna S. Russell, she touches on how one of the strengths Sumner has is student engagement; focussing on…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Nursing Specialty Quiz
Unsure of what nursing specialty suits you best? Take this quiz to see what options align with you best! Content shared from J&J Nursing …
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Happy 4th of July! Office is closed
Sumner college is celebrating our nation's independence! Our offices will be closed Thursday 7/4 and Friday 7/5.…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
BSN Info Sessions – Register for July
We've opened up a few more seats to the BSN Info Sessions in July. In preparation for the September classes, please plan to attend this…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Nursing School Study Tips
Our Career Services Department has a number of great resources for students, including study tips for nursing school. Visit Career Services Study Tips …
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
The Pulse | Summer 2024
Sumner College Newsletter | Summer 2024…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Dream It! Do It! @SumnerCollege
Are you dreaming of becoming a Registered Nurse, but worried about the hurdles of prerequisite courses? Look no further! Sumner College offers a unique and…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Is nursing your passion?
If you've always dreamed of making a difference in people's lives through compassionate care, then it's time to take the next step! Enrollment is now…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Welcome New Students – June Classes Start Today!
Today is the day that our new BSN, LPN and RN to BSN June 10th students embark on their nursing career. They've dreamed about it…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Bachelor of Science Nursing | Start June 10th
The Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing Program at Sumner College is the only program in Oregon and Washington State that does not require students…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Practical Nursing | June 10th Classes Start
The Practical Nursing Program at Sumner College can fast-track you to a new career as an LPN in just 13 months. If you are compassionate…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Remember & Honor
On Memorial Day, we take a moment to remember and honor all who have served and paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
RNs Advance your Nursing Career
If advancing your nursing education is part of your plans, you cannot miss this opportunity to meet Lois Hine, Sumner College RN to BSN Program…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
June BSN Info Sessions Now Open
…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
How Much Do Oregon’s Registered Nurses Earn? 2023 Oregon Wage Study
According to the survey results, RNs in Oregon earn an average hourly wage of $55.14, equating to an annual salary of $114,694. The Oregon Center…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Caregivers & Trailblazers: Four Nurse Innovators Redefining Healthcare
Johnson & Johnson has proudly championed the nursing profession for over 125 years because we know that for healthcare to work, it takes nurses. This National…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
RN Self-Care RX
Graphic provided by OCN | Oregon Center for Nursing…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Best Gift Ideas for Nurses
Whether it be a friend, family member, or acquaintance, you probably know a nurse or someone who works in healthcare. You could look at gifts…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Best Nursing Shoes for Men and Women
As a nurse, finding the perfect pair of shoes is crucial for long shifts filled with constant movement. But with so many options available, it…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
National Nurse Week
National Nurses Week is celebrated annually from May 6-12 ending on Florence Nightingale's birthday. The American Nurses Association (ANA) first recognized the week in 1990, and in…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Psychiatric Nursing
While physical health is undoubtedly important, so is Mental Health. Millions of Americans are affected by mental illness each year. Psychiatric Nurses have the specialized…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
New BSN Info Sessions – Register
The on-campus Information Session aims to offer valuable insights to individuals considering a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Reserve a Spot…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
RNs ready to pursue more?
Are you a Registered Nurse wondering what the next step is in your career? Considered your BSN? Sumner College's RN to BSN program can get…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Nurses Influence the Health and Wellbeing of Patients Every Day
As individuals, nurses directly influence the health and wellbeing of patients every day. Through frequent contact, nurses are best placed to encourage lifestyle changes in…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Changes in Nursing
Changes in nursing involve a major shift in higher education standards, requiring more nurses to hold a 4-year bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). The…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Trades make a comeback with Gen Z Workers
America’s skilled trades — from nursing and plumbing to welding to construction — need more workers as boomers retire. Gen Z-ers are stepping up to fill…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Congratulations, Sumner College Graduates: Embracing New Beginnings
Congratulations to the new Sumner College nursing graduates. As the tassels are flipped and mortarboards soar into the sky, a chapter closes, and another begins.…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn