Advice for Nursing Students: How to Thrive at Clinical Rotations

[Lev]

Here are some do's and dont's of interacting with the nursing staff at your inpatient clinical rotation sites. These are just some suggestions based on my observations.

1) Arrive on time

This is very important. Please be there before we get report, so we don't have to take up time giving report again for you to listen in. Of course I will do this with a smile, but I will be a little annoyed.

2) Introduce yourself!

I like putting the students' names on the board. I can't do this if you don't tell me who you are.

3) Computers

Please, please be considerate. Do not pile your stuff on one and guard it as yours. If you see a computer open outside a room please find out if anyone is using the computer before taking it. Also, keep those computers plugged in. There is nothing worse than documenting your entire assessment or scanning all your meds, only to have the computer shut off on you.

4) Do not "hoard" my patients

I should not have to feel like I am intruding on you and my patient because you have been in the room behind a closed door for an hour.

5) Ask questions

But at the right times! I love questions, love students, and love teaching. No question is a wrong question. However, if I'm very busy with something, I may not be able to give you an answer.

6) Vital signs machines

Some of the machines work better than others. Please leave the higher functioning machines for the nurses to use with their med passes. Please do not take the machines and leave them in the room. Please do not leave them unplugged, especially in the room where we can't find them. It is very frustrating to look for machines or to wait for one to become available.

7) Try not to take things personally

Cannot stress this enough! The grumpy nurse has probably been working way to many days in a row, has a heavy group with three isolation rooms, and is running on four hours of sleep. It's (usually) not anything you did.

? Communicate

I like knowing what is going on. If you take vitals and document I&Os, please let me know so we do not double document or trouble the patient unnecessarily. Please let me know at the beginning of the shift what your responsibilities will be so I can coordinate care with the tech.

9) Be available

Please be visible and available to help. Do not hide out and gossip or read magazines in the break room. Stay off your phone and save Candy Crush for later. You never know what you may miss!

10) Have a good attitude!

Attitude is key and will make or break yours or anyone's day. Be positive, be a team player, and remember why we are here (to care for the patients).

I hope everyone has a successful semester at nursing school!

[bellafsu89]

This is all great advice! I am really fortunate that my professors that have been in charge of our clinical rotations have been amazing and have really pushed us to do these things. They are on top of us - never ever do we sit, read magazines, gossip etc! The professors have trained us so well that the RN's and CNA's LOVE when we get there because we do almost everything needed for our 2-4 patients we have been assigned per student.

My motto - clinical is the interview for the job before you even get a real interview!!!

[Lev, MSN, RN, NP]

This is all great advice! I am really fortunate that my professors that have been in charge of our clinical rotations have been amazing and have really pushed us to do these things. They are on top of us - never ever do we sit, read magazines, gossip etc! The professors have trained us so well that the RN's and CNA's LOVE when we get there because we do almost everything needed for our 2-4 patients we have been assigned per student.

My motto - clinical is the interview for the job before you even get a real interview!!!

Come to my unit!

And so true about clinical being like the interview for the job. You never know who is watching.

[chasingyouolds]

Sharing this with my nursing crew as we are preparing to head into clinicals!

[chasingyouolds]

Sharing this with my nursing crew as we are preparing to head into clinicals!

[alpacasso]

Thank you! Great advice

[kizzy patterson]

This is very helpful, i always wondered why the nurses were grumpy at time, i thought they didn't like the nursing students, but thanks for clearing that up.