STORM2K

Many of you know that I am in nursing school. It's going very well. I've learned an incredible amount of information and how to perform many vital skills. I'm amazed at how much I've already learned to do. Next week, we are starting at a nursing home in the area. I can't believe I'm going to be providing basic care for a patient already, of course under the supervision of my clinical instructor and the staff RN. I just found out that I will be giving flu vaccines next week. I'm nervous, I'm excited, I don't know exactly what to expect. Most everyone in my class seems to feel this way, except of course the girls that are already nursing assistants. I've wanted this for so long. I just can't believe it's about to happen. I'm praying that I don't have "stage fright" come Tuesday and draw a blank. I guess confidence in my skills will come in time.
...Jennifer...

Jen - you'll do great I'm sure. Observe older, experienced nurses/teachers, mimicking their bedside behavior, pretend you're very confident even if you have butterflies in your stomach! This is what someone told me years ago - if you find yourself in a situation that's out of your element or new to you, pretend! 5 Star Restaurant - observe others behavior and mimick it. Black tie affairs - same. Speaking in public - smile, stay on topic and appear confident! In time, you will feel very confident.

Something tells me you'll have a kind, gentle bedside manner! Just be yourself and remember - fake it or pretend you've given hundreds of shots before when doling out flu shots.

Hey, look on the bright side here - I'm sure you've had YOUR flu shot!!! So you won't get it!

Mary

Hi Jenn...congratulations on the progress you are making. Best advice I can give you is to relax and do the best you can to help your patient relax. If you can do that, you will be in the top 10% of nurses around! With your sense of humor and dedication to this dream, I am sure you will do fine. Heck...you can even talk about the weather at the time of the shot and impress your patient with the knowledge you have about it!

Then...after that day is over...reward yourself with something nice! How about that new pair of shoes you have been wanting!!!

We're with you, girl!

azskyman wrote:Hi Jenn...congratulations on the progress you are making. Best advice I can give you is to relax and do the best you can to help your patient relax. If you can do that, you will be in the top 10% of nurses around! With your sense of humor and dedication to this dream, I am sure you will do fine. Heck...you can even talk about the weather at the time of the shot and impress your patient with the knowledge you have about it!

Then...after that day is over...reward yourself with something nice! How about that new pair of shoes you have been wanting!!!

We're with you, girl!

Oh no Jen....Steve mentioned that shopping word!!! See her response on my xmas shopping thread to understand......LOL Rewarding yourself when the day is over is very good advice.

Mary

SHE HAS PLENTY OF "REWARD SHOES" LOL.. j/k

Hey Jen, I don't think you'll have any problem at all. With your personality and willingness to do whatever it takes - you'll do great!!!!!!!!

chadtm80 wrote:SHE HAS PLENTY OF "REWARD SHOES" LOL.. j/k

You'll in deep doo doo now pal! LOL!

You'll be just fine Jen! Congratulations on starting your new career.

Being in nursing school myself, I know how you are feeling. It can be very difficult to go into a patients room for the first time, or performing procedures that you have never done to anyone before. Trust me when I say, it gets easier and more rewarding each day. It's VERY hard work, but very worth every minute of it!

Congratulations on your decision to become a nurse. It truly takes a special person to do what you are doing!

With that being said...I graduate next July! I can't wait!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS JEN!!

Eric

Congratulations both to you Jennifer and to Kami

I have such immense respect for ladies who choose nursing as a career. Between being with elderly members of my family at the hospital and from working in the past as a hospital security officer, I've seen nurses at all times of the day, every day of the week...from patient rooms to the ER and CCU; and in every situation imaginable....and they always handled it with a calm and confidence I envy.

When I've lost loved ones....especially when mom passed away in 1977, the nurses at Wellstar Douglas hospital were there for me and my family. I'll never be able to repay the kindness and compassion they showed my family in those times of sadness and grief.

Kami & Jen...I wish both of you the very best, and humbly thank you!!

Perry

Perry, thank you very much!!

The reason I decided to go into nursing is because I saw the love and compassion in "most" nurses eyes when they cared for my sick loved ones. I decided many years ago that a nurse is what I wanted to be...but decided to start my family first.

I love it! I love the rewarding feeling I get when a patient is well enough to go home. I love when someone tells me "thank you" for giving them a bath.

It's scary going into this field. Mainly because many of us have a "fear of the unknown." You don't know what to expect when you walk into a new patients room...or even one that you do know! So much can happen so fast!! Being able to react to it in a timely manner and do what needs to be done is the key! I think to myself "what will I do when this or that happens?" Well, if I do what I am capable of and trained to do...then everything else is left in Gods hands.

It's nice to know that nurses are appreciated for what they do! (even though I'm not "officially" one yet)

Thanks again!! Your kind words were exactly what I needed to hear tonight!

Jenn, you'll do great! Just remember - whether
it's giving shots or performing any other procedure,
you are helping someone to get better. I
remember giving that first shot, and, being
terrified that I was going to hurt the person!
That's natural, but, sometimes, a bit of
discomfort is much less than if care wasn't given,
at all! I can tell that you've got the spirit to
be a fantastic nurse by actually worrying about
your performance - if one didn't think about it,
I'd really question them! I'm here, cheering you
on, gal!

CONGRATULATIONS JEN!!!!!!!:D

Everyone, thanks for the encouragement. It really helps.
...Jennifer...