Returning to Clinical Rotation after a semester and summer off?

[Allonsymckenzie]

I'm in an ADN program and preparing to enter my third semester. This semester covers OB and has OB rotations and regular med surg rotations. Personal issues came up where I didn't pass Pharmacology with a high enough grade, so I was held back until I could pass (thankfully I did! 😊). This meant I didn't have a class with a clinical aspect, so I wasn't in a rotation this semester. After being out of clinicals so long, I'm nervous about going back. I don't work in the field yet (very rural community, no close openings for a student nurse to work in) so I haven't had a ton of practice during my clinical "break". Since this is an upper level class, I feel my instructors will expect more from me than I feel I can give. Any tips on how to prepare over the summer to return to the clinical setting? Thanks!

[RAndaRoo]

I don't really have any tips so not super helpful lol but I just wanted to say you can do it!! This happened to me twice, something about me and the fall semesters clearly didn't get along lol But just remember OB, etc. will be new for everyone so at least there's that! And if your school has open labs you could practice skills if you're worried about that but truthfully I felt like OB was so different that it didn't matter how much I did or didn't remember from previous clinicals.

[JaxJax5423]

communicate that to your instructor. Ask questions,seek opportunity, and come prepared. Clinical is meant for learning, but do your part too.good luck

[Leonardsmom,LPN]

In Ob most of the patients that you are going to have are healthy, it will be different then if you were doing a Med-surg clinical. One thing I would suggest to do now would be to brush up on doing your physical assessment, especially if it hasn't been since the previous semester since you performed those skills. During my maternity clinical we would do a focused assessment on mom, and an assessment on baby.