[DavericaRN]

I would like to get anyones advice, please. We started Monday with 3 patients in clinicals. I know it doesnt seem like too many, but for a 2nd semester nursing student, it is a little overwhelming. I just need a few tips on staying organized and making sure I get everything done, Meds, charting, interventions, vitals, assessment. We switched from narrative charting to PIE charting by hand, not computerized. I'm still trying to figure it out and do it correctly. We are not charting on the actual patients chart, just on a copy. We are no longer doing baths, which use to take up most of our time. There are 9 in our clinical group and we have all have to go over meds with our instructor , before we administer them. I left Tuesday feeling I had not accomplished anything. I was only able to visit my patients two or three times to check on them. I spent most waiting in line for the instructor to give meds and trying to figure out the PIE Charting. I really want to do well and stay organized. Can someone please help with any tips. Our clinical days are Monday and Tuesday and we go on sunday to pick up patient information and do our research or 3 patients. Our treatment data sheet consists of basically the same information the chart has, Labs, Accucheck, telemetry, diet, Respiratory, a section for medications, a section for 3 Nursing Diagnosis (2 Physiological, 1 Psychosocial), Objective Info, Subjective Info., Def. o Medical Diagnosis, Med. Hx. CAn anyone please just offer me some advice or maybe any tips that helped you in clinicals. I would really appreciate it!!

Thanks ahead of time!!

[UCFpinoSN]

Hey,

Some things that helped me was getting a 3 ring binder and making "quick sheets" for my pt that I could jot down things like vitals, new meds, last pain meds stuff like that without having to look through the chart. Also, I made a chart on the front page that compared med times for all 3 patients, and planned on finding the instructor once it hit the 30 min before mark. This helped me consolidate my trips and helped me multitask. Another thing that other students in my group used to do was take out all the meds for each patient and put it into little ziplock bags with the pt ID sticker on the outside. This way they were only making one trip to the medroom versus going 3 individual times. They would do this at each scheduled med time. I'd make sure that its ok with your instructor before you do that though.

Hope that helps a bit

From another 2nd semester nursing student

[DavericaRN]

Those are really great ideas!! Im going to purchase a ring binder and make a chart with times so I can keep track of the meds. Thank you sooo much!

[locolorenzo22]

I always use my pt summary to track notes on the back of the papers. Also, I assess first upon getting report from the nurse, then go back, figure out who's got the most complicated (different types/amount) of meds, then give those in that order. Meet client needs in whatever dr. orders or what is important, then go from there. Chart between assessment and meds or right after meds when I have 20/30 mins to get charting done pronto.