I am my toughest
critic, my harshest judge, and
my worst enemy
The one part of clinical that I dislike is filling out my CET, the clinical evaluation tool. Everyone has to do this, and we have to do it 1-2 times per clinical site. Despite my complaints, it really IS a good tool because it helps me to think about what I do well and what I need to improve on as a student and as a future nurse. Mine always looks about the same in that I always write that I need more confidence; in myself, in my skills, and in my clinical knowledge.
My instructors see this, too, but the great thing is that they also see my potential. I see a student fumbling with the IV tubing, and they see a future nurse who’s capable of anything. I see a student who’s afraid of holding a baby, and they see my warmth and compassion when talking to that baby’s family. Where I see inferiority, they see capability and promise. It’s refreshing to hear positive feedback like this because it reinforces that I’m not inadequate and that I’m actually right where I SHOULD be at this level.
This is exactly the kind of support I need. The compassion of my instructors and their desire to teach me and mold me into a professional and competent nurse has made all the difference during my clinical experience. Not only that, but I’ve found mentors that will stay with me for the rest of my career, mentors who will continue to teach me and foster my growth.