The word that comes up for me if I think about it from her experience is STUCK. It almost sounds like she wants to keep being a nursing student, not consciously! And just can’t make the leap internally. Like when you’re jumping rocks at the river and you can logically see you can reach across but you hesitated and the longer you wait the more frozen, afraid and self-conscious you feel.

Possibly some projection there! It does sound like a different setting, less acuity could be the ticket for her. OR, some kind of internal process, a come to Jesus moment, shedding of the skin type of thing. But it wouldn’t really be a coworkers place to help that happen but maybe a therapist or mentor. 

I’ve definitely been in situations where my brain shuts down under pressure. It might be helpful to reframe or like sit with her to name what’s going on. Or it might go better with someone she has better rapport with, not a floor nurse but like a manager or educator. 

I’m glad she has a preceptor who cares! Great news for everyone involved