Apr 22, 2010, 10:44 am
Hi Liz,
You are not alone.Many felt the same way until they got out there and saw the real world.I entered Div2 with a trade that has a culture diametrically opposing that of the Nursing practice.
Nothing wrong with being humble and apprehensive in my view. It is better to be that way than a know it all. On prac, most Enrolled and Registered Nurses at any facility, will help you in more ways than can ever be imagined.But only if you stay in your boots, - so to speak, and not get too big for them.
Welcome to a profession that has the highest ethical practices.But always stay inside your boundaries, of which is your student limitation, and scope of practice.
You can never "study about caring for others"You either have a honest and compassionate caring nature, or you don't.
Just do it.Because if you don't go, you'll never know.And maybe kick yourself for years to come.
I understand the adage that Fools often rush in where angels fear to tread. However, at college, you are shown the ropes both theoretically and practically in a tutorial and lab environment, and your RN tutors will never sign you off, and jeopardise their own registration, if they even so much as sense, that you will never be competent on prac.
Everything is done within a controlled environment at college, as you are no doubt aware. Even in the labs, you are assessed, way before being assessed on prac, prior to being deemed competent. And if you able to work with, and care for those mannequins, then you will have no problem with real people.
One aspect that has woken me up during training toward a Nurse, is the ability to know myself much better.
Turn up for classes always, show respect, and pay attention, but most of all, learn to laugh a bit more than beating yourself up with doubt.
Yes, nursing is a serious profession, but it also carries with it, the fragility of being human and caring.
My central philosophy, is to either accept the things you cannot change, change the things you can change, or walk away. In recent months however, I have come to accept that it is more procreative to invest time and effort into the things you can do, rather than mal-invest time and energy into the 'what if' and can't do.
I hope this helps.
Kindest.
M-N
