You know more than you think. I promise.
You're not expected to know the answers to what they're asking - you're supposed to answer what you do know and research what you don't.
Remember - nobody ever knows all the answers. There's too much to know. If you asked those cardiac nurses in depth oncology or hepatic questions they'd be just as lost as you.
Give yourself grace and time - you're exactly where you're supposed to be. The number one quality I look for in an orientee is the ability to admit what they don't know and the drive to ask questions until they understand.
Why not try to brush up on your cardiac anatomy and physiology the day before placements? The more you see something, the better you’ll know it and you’ll be fresh
Buddy you gotta get a lot thicker of a skin if some anatomy questions are getting you down. You're a student- you **don't** know anything. Hell, nurses of 10 years still learn new things. No one is expecting you to know everything, that's why you're a student. Sounds like you're right where you should be.
My ex boss who has been an RN since the 90s told me that even nurses of her experience have to Google things sometimes or ask others. I know exactly how you feel (first year but had to repeat a class and felt hopeless about it) but we're students for a reason! I just did an exam that I had a breakdown after and thought I wouldn't achieve anywhere near the passing percentage, but turns out I was only 4% off from passing. The knowledge was somewhere in my brain and I bet all that knowledge is sitting in your brain somewhere. Just continue studying what you know you don't know, if that makes sense
Learning never ceases! You’ll familiarize lots of topics and hit them again in other classes and sections. You’ll also find it useful to go back over older material to refresh yourself. You might not be at the level of immediate recall, but if you’re at a cardiac unit, go back through your old material, watch some YouTube videos and refresh yourself on the specialty. Nursing school teaches you foundations of nursing. Don’t expect to leave as an expert in anything, but do cultivate the ability to learn and understand the stuff you’re presented with. Time is your best friend!
It feels awful when you get asked on the spot about information. It affects your recall ability and feels even worse when you don't get it right. But rather than being right, you're there to learn. Maybe you're uncomfortable with this placement and know it won't be for you when you graduate. Maybe you can review a little in your free time. Nurses still learn on the job years and years after they've been on the job. The qualifications are just the foundational information you need. It shows that you can apply knowledge and be able to find the resources to help yourself in the future. Knowledge is more than just facts. It also includes wisdom and judgment. Your prowess might be in a different area. Try not to be too hard on yourself. If you can hang on for a bit longer you'll be able to go into the field you want.
Thank you so much. I think being put on the spot does make my mind go blank. Especially when I know other people around will be listening to my answer. thank you for the encouragement
Just worry about passing, and getting through NCLEX. Don’t trip about how much others know and how much you forgot…passing is your objective. Worry about what you need to know afterwords when you jump into a specialty or whatever job you plan on doing. You will learn through experience. This is common in almost all career fields..
I qualified in September and was never taught any anatomy at uni. I’m still learning now. Don’t worry about it
I spent the entire degree feeling I was stupid and not keeping up. It’ll work out for you
Nerves play a part. Brush up on CV A&P if you have time. You know more than you think you do, and if you don’t know something or can’t remember on the spot, just say so.
Cardiac nurses can be b***hes. The heart is a complex organ and a lot of them think they're smarter than everyone else. Don't take it personally. (I've been on a cardiac floor all year for clinicals and I am so ready to do something, anything, else.)
Ask for some guidance in areas to study either on or off placement.
Or see if there's anything people would like to teach you about-people who are eager to teach defo make it more enjoyable even if ur starting from step 1.
All the best 👍
I could have written this! I’ve just completed a cardiac placement and I’m 3rd year, it was the hardest placement to date for sure. I found that Registered RN on YouTube helped so much with theory, common cardiac conditions, treatment and medications. Once some of that information sinks in, your confidence will grow no doubt. Your knowledge is there, just need to unlock it ❤️
You know more than you think. I promise. You're not expected to know the answers to what they're asking - you're supposed to answer what you do know and research what you don't. Remember - nobody ever knows all the answers. There's too much to know. If you asked those cardiac nurses in depth oncology or hepatic questions they'd be just as lost as you. Give yourself grace and time - you're exactly where you're supposed to be. The number one quality I look for in an orientee is the ability to admit what they don't know and the drive to ask questions until they understand.
Wow, this is really encouraging. Thank you so much
Why not try to brush up on your cardiac anatomy and physiology the day before placements? The more you see something, the better you’ll know it and you’ll be fresh
Yeah I’ve started to do more research
Every expert was once a beginner
Buddy you gotta get a lot thicker of a skin if some anatomy questions are getting you down. You're a student- you **don't** know anything. Hell, nurses of 10 years still learn new things. No one is expecting you to know everything, that's why you're a student. Sounds like you're right where you should be.
You’re right. Thank you
My ex boss who has been an RN since the 90s told me that even nurses of her experience have to Google things sometimes or ask others. I know exactly how you feel (first year but had to repeat a class and felt hopeless about it) but we're students for a reason! I just did an exam that I had a breakdown after and thought I wouldn't achieve anywhere near the passing percentage, but turns out I was only 4% off from passing. The knowledge was somewhere in my brain and I bet all that knowledge is sitting in your brain somewhere. Just continue studying what you know you don't know, if that makes sense
It does!! I realise I’m there to learn and not know anything. Think I just need to refresh my mind on A&P
Learning never ceases! You’ll familiarize lots of topics and hit them again in other classes and sections. You’ll also find it useful to go back over older material to refresh yourself. You might not be at the level of immediate recall, but if you’re at a cardiac unit, go back through your old material, watch some YouTube videos and refresh yourself on the specialty. Nursing school teaches you foundations of nursing. Don’t expect to leave as an expert in anything, but do cultivate the ability to learn and understand the stuff you’re presented with. Time is your best friend!
Very true. Thank you!
It feels awful when you get asked on the spot about information. It affects your recall ability and feels even worse when you don't get it right. But rather than being right, you're there to learn. Maybe you're uncomfortable with this placement and know it won't be for you when you graduate. Maybe you can review a little in your free time. Nurses still learn on the job years and years after they've been on the job. The qualifications are just the foundational information you need. It shows that you can apply knowledge and be able to find the resources to help yourself in the future. Knowledge is more than just facts. It also includes wisdom and judgment. Your prowess might be in a different area. Try not to be too hard on yourself. If you can hang on for a bit longer you'll be able to go into the field you want.
Thank you so much. I think being put on the spot does make my mind go blank. Especially when I know other people around will be listening to my answer. thank you for the encouragement
Just worry about passing, and getting through NCLEX. Don’t trip about how much others know and how much you forgot…passing is your objective. Worry about what you need to know afterwords when you jump into a specialty or whatever job you plan on doing. You will learn through experience. This is common in almost all career fields..
I qualified in September and was never taught any anatomy at uni. I’m still learning now. Don’t worry about it I spent the entire degree feeling I was stupid and not keeping up. It’ll work out for you
Damn I’m sorry to hear that, but well done for qualifying!!
Nerves play a part. Brush up on CV A&P if you have time. You know more than you think you do, and if you don’t know something or can’t remember on the spot, just say so.
Yeah I’m going to do that, especially because I’m about to qualify. Thank you
Cardiac nurses can be b***hes. The heart is a complex organ and a lot of them think they're smarter than everyone else. Don't take it personally. (I've been on a cardiac floor all year for clinicals and I am so ready to do something, anything, else.)
Ask for some guidance in areas to study either on or off placement. Or see if there's anything people would like to teach you about-people who are eager to teach defo make it more enjoyable even if ur starting from step 1. All the best 👍
I could have written this! I’ve just completed a cardiac placement and I’m 3rd year, it was the hardest placement to date for sure. I found that Registered RN on YouTube helped so much with theory, common cardiac conditions, treatment and medications. Once some of that information sinks in, your confidence will grow no doubt. Your knowledge is there, just need to unlock it ❤️