If you're a prenursing student or just starting your nursing school journey, you might be nervously wondering: "Will I have to give real injections in the first week?" The short answer? Probably not, but let's dive deeper into what you can expect as a nursing student and how to prepare for this exciting (and sometimes intimidating) step in your nursing career.

What to Expect in Your First Week

Most nursing programs gradually introduce students to clinical skills. Your first week will likely focus on:

• Orientation: Learning about program expectations, policies, and safety protocols.
• Basic Skills: Practicing hand hygiene, vital signs, and simple assessments on manikins or classmates.
• Theory: Covering foundational concepts like infection control and patient communication.

Injections, especially real ones, are typically introduced later, after you've built confidence with simulations. For example, you might practice on oranges or synthetic arms before ever touching a patient.

When Will You Give Real Injections?

Most programs wait until students have mastered theory and demonstrated competency in labs. This might happen in:

• Fundamentals Lab: Where you'll practice techniques like intramuscular (IM) and subcutaneous (SubQ) injections.
• Clinical Rotations: Under close supervision, you'll administer injections to real patients, but likely not in Week 1!

Feeling anxious? That's normal! Remember, every nurse started where you are now. Resources like Nurselytic's library can help you prepare ahead of time.

How to Prepare for Injection Practice

Here's how to build confidence before your first real injection:

• Study the Basics: Review anatomy and injection techniques using ATI Content Mastery guides.
• Practice at Home: Use oranges or injection pads to get comfortable with the motion.
• Ask Questions: Your instructors are there to help; don't hesitate to seek clarification.

The Bigger Picture: Your Nursing Career

While injections are a milestone, nursing school is about so much more. You'll learn critical thinking, patient advocacy, and how to handle high-pressure situations. For exam prep tips, check out NCLEX-RN practice questions or HESI A2 resources to stay ahead.

For more tips and nursing school advice, visit the homepage for additional resources.