Looking for a mentor

Reabock · Jul 8, 2001

Lisa, my suggestion is for you to get a job as an aide in a local hospital part-time, possibly the one where you are at present. Work on the med-surg floors and ask questions after you get to know the nurses a little, let them know you want feedback and experiences to help you in school, I'm betting you will find a mentor or at least some support. Just watch out for those nurses that think you are their personal slave:o , there are always a few who seem to think that way!

LaurieCRNP2002, MSN, RN, APRN · Jul 8, 2001

Lisa

To start, congratualations! I hope you will enjoy nursing, it can be very rewarding. As far as clinicals, expect that you probably will be doing vital signs and assessments to start out...depends on how you'r school's curriculum is set up. You probably will do your first clinicals on a general medical/surgical floor, taking care of a variety of patients. As you progress through your first year, you will learn more skills and more will be expected of you. In your second year, you will have more patients and the expectations will continue to increase. You may (depending on your school) have a chance to do some clinical time in an area you're interested in (ie ICU or ER). Be prepared for a lot of hard work! If you can, I recommend getting a job as a nursing assistant at a hospital or nursing home. This will give you experience in dealing with patients; doing vitals, bathing them, helping them with toileting, ambulating,etc. You will be that much more comfortable when you start your clinicals if you can get a formal job in a hospital or nursing home; maybe even the ER you volunteer at could use you in a formal capacity.

If you have any further questions about anything, please feel free to contact me by email. I am currently working part-time on a telemetry floor and going to grad school to be a nurse practitioner. Take care and good luck! :)

rninformatics, DNP, RN · Jul 8, 2001

Originally posted by Lisa32
Hello, I am a new nursing student. (A.A.S) I have to take Micro and A&P II then I start my clinicals in Jan. Can someone tell me what to expect? I've tried to ask my instructors but I'm getting a runaround. Also, is there something I can be doing to help myself with the transition into nursing? I volunteer at the local hospital in the ER and get to spend some time in the Lab and Radiology. Is there anything else I can do to make me a more successful nurse?

Lisa,

If you can't get a job as a CNA try for unit secretary. Its not hands on or clinical but you will still learn alot, be exposed to the environment and have an opportunity to pick the staff's brain r/t to nursing and healthcare. Related to what to expect from A&P

lots of readings, memorization and disection of a cat or a pig. It was one of my favorite classes. Micro is a pain, just study and get through it. Get involved with a study group, take notes plus tape record the lectures if the instructor allows this.

Good luck!

ComicRN · Jul 8, 2001

Lisa, I commend you for wanting to get prepared for nursing school. I didn't prepare at all. I hadn't even been a CNA. The closest I came was working as a medical secretary in a doctor's office and then in a surgical pathology office.

Needless to say, I was a nervous wreck when it came to my first day of clinical. The thought of actually having to give someone a BED BATH was overwhelming!! My first clinical took place in a long term care facility. My very first patient was a lady with pathological fractures. The "regular" nurses on the floor were happy to have a student for this lady. Basically, they handed me a washcloth and towel and said...."have fun." The patient was "with it" and knew exactly what I was doing. I had her rolled over on her side to wash her back. It took me FOREVER!! Her face was in her pillow, and after some time I heard her say, "you're awfully slow, aren't you?" Well, I felt horrible (and I was pre-menstrual) so I finished her bath, made her comfortable and ran out of the room to cry!!! I will never forget that. Here it is 9 years later, and I'm very happy doing what I'm doing (in LTC!!!)

Remember that there is ALOT to learn. Just try to get through it one day at a time, one course at a time and one patient at a time. Don't let the "know-it-all" nurses get you down. There are good nurses out there who love to share their knowledge. Try to find one of those and you'll be fine.

Good luck and have fun!

CEN35 · Jul 8, 2001

i think you have a lot of good advice already......no sense with repeatition :)

el · Jul 9, 2001

Great advice for the clinical part already given. As for A&P and Micro, I took notes and taped the lectures, then before the next class I rewrote my notes while reviewing the taped lecture for that class. It worked really well, I had to be very disciplined, I never let the tapes build up ex. Wednesday class notes and lecture tape would be reviewed and re written by Friday class. The hardest part of studying is often making yourself take the time to do it. Luckily my hubby and kids were used to coming home to a note "At library, warm up blue & green tupperware for dinner" or on the real hectic days "At library, fend for yourselves.". It is your goal, so make sure you prioritize it. It is amazing what others can do for themselves if we let them! Good Luck.