So I have a clinical in the ER

Eat lunch before you go.

I agree

Cool ! Enjoy it !

Take your lab test results book, do anything they will let you (catheters, removing IV's etc.) observe and if really busy, write down your questions and ask after everything is over. Good luck!

Don't be judgemental of the nurses. What they teach you in school is not like in real life. It's like driver's ed. Do you really drive with your hands at 10 and 2? Well neither do the nurses. Save any opinions about how things should be done or about how you would do things for when you pass boards, then you can be Sally good nurse. Also, just be willing to do whatever. Even the sucky stuff. The snobby student nurse who obviously doesn't want to even be asked to do the bedpan duty won't get the good opportunities for cool procedures, it will be the willing, helpful ones.

Jump in with both feet, ask to do anything and everything you can.

Jump in and do vital signs on patients as they come in. Ask the techs what you can help with as well. Ask them to show you how to do EKG's and accuchecks. Like thrownurse said, don't tell us how you would do our job. We do everything for a reason.

Don't be a wallflower. Make sure you're in rooms where you can get a good view. I've seen too many student nurses come through recently either sitting at the desk, or heading in the other direction when something scary looking shows up. Don't think that if you happen to be standing there when the ca-ca hits the fan that anyone is going to be upset that you don't know what to do. Put on gloves and say to whoever is in charge "What can I do?" Here's a tip: You're BLS certified, at least. Volunteer to do compressions. You don't get any closer to the good stuff than that. If you're lucky enough to be with someone who really likes having a student around, you'll get a great experience. If you don't, or the experience is less than organized, it's up to you to make it the best experience you can. Just ask the busiest looking nurse, or the one with the sickest looking patient if you can follow them for a while.

Hope you have a great time!

Totally agree!!!! It will hardly ever be what you learn in school. The basic priciples are the same, the learning points are the same, but the way things are sone are different. Were a comfortable pair of shoes, be prepared to move from a hurt toe to a brain bleed in the span of seconds. It's a wild ride, so hold on!!