Clinical Advice

marilynmom, LPN, NP · Oct 29, 2006

I really enjoyed my Med/Surg clinical. It was at a great hospital and I got to see and do a lot. It was much better than my boring Psych clinical that is for sure!

I would just say to make sure all the nurses know you want to see and do things. The nurses I worked with were great and they would come get us students to go see interesting procedures and try new skills or watch skills.

Even though I was assigned to one patient, I never just stayed with that one patient all shift because that to me was very boring and I didn't learn much at all. I would always follow the nurse around who had my patient so I could have more experience. My one patient was the one I did my assessment, meds, care plan, etc. on though.

I would say to review your basic nursing skills, because your teacher is right, no telling what your going to see and be able to do. Review things such as cath insert and removal, SubQ and IM shots, IV removal, assessment, sterile dressing, etc.

Most of all have fun, your there to learn so make the most of that!

Nrs_angie, BSN, RN · Oct 30, 2006

Hi there,

You said this is your FIRST clinical experience... don't be too worried. It would depend on how far along you are in your Nursing classes. Every school conducts their curriculum differently, but in my experience we would have the classroom theory part first. Then we were allowed to practice it on the clinical setting. I will give you some examples. I think the first things we learned to do was taking vital signs. We spent a few days in class room lecture, learning about how to properly assess vitals ( normals, abnormals, and how to obtain accurate readings ). Then we had a Lab to practice our techniques on the other students. Lastly we had a clinical day where we demonstrated our assessment skills to our instructor. Then based on that, he/she would pass or not pass us on that skill. Once we were passed on it, we were signed off to do that skill on our own with minimal to no supervision. Ok next example... As the weeks went on, we had theory and lecture about assessment. Part of that was assessing lung sounds. So once we had the lecture, and lab, we were then able to demonstrate the skill to the instructor to be passed on it, if we knew the difference btw clear lungs, or adventitious lung sounds.

So now that your instructor told you to be prepared for anything that you were checked off on, you should review those things. Everything in nursing school starts out with the basics and becomes more advanced as you progress. So if you haven't even given a bed bath yet, then no need to worry about assessing Tele strips. If you haven't even done a SQ insulin injection yet, then no need to worry about hanging IV heparin. Your instructors should not be having you perform skills that you haven't had any classroom theory/lecture on ( for the most part ). Sometimes, a unique opportunity might come along and your instructor will want you to take advantage of that. But if you have no idea about the skill, they should be there by your side to guide you.

I hope this advice helps, but it might be more helpful to know how far along in your schooling you are. Now if you are well along in your schooling, then you might be starting IV lines, or learning about the care of patients on Ventilators. Like I said earlier... everything starts out with the basics, and progresses as you advance. You didn't drive a car before you learned to walk right? So don't be nervous. Just show that you want to learn, and pratice safely, and you'll do great!!!

Good Luck,

Angie

I will have my first clinical experience next week on a Med/Surg floor. Our clinical teacher said there is no telling what we might run into. Can anyone offer any suggestions on how to prepare or review for this. What type of patients might I see and what procedures might I be responsible for. The clinical instructor did not go into any detail other than be prepared to do all we had checked off on.
Thanks in advance,
Mary Ann