how can I be a good clinical student?

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I start clinicals next week, and I'm really nervous. I've heard lots of horror stories about how nurses are rude and unhelpful to nursing students. I want to be able to maximize my experience at clinicals, and be able to really learn from the nurses, so what's the best approach? What things can I do to get off on the right foot with the nurse, and what things can I do to let them know I'm serious about learning and becoming a good nurse? I almost always get mistaken for about 10yrs younger than I am so I'm worried that I won't be taken seriously because of that. Any advice? I can use all I can get!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTC, Rehab, Hospice, Endocrine.

I always always always recommend that you be frank with the nurse you are working with. Let them know you are interested in learning. Study your patient information (I assume you have either gathered information before clinicals started or were given information from your site instructor). Also, if there is something that needs to be done that you are qualified to do, ask to do it. If there is something to be done that you are not qualified to do, ask if you can observe. Be prepared, and if you don't know the answer admit it. Don't go in and act like you know everything...you don't; that is why we are students. Clinicals can be good or bad; it's all up to you. Step up and take initiative. The only way to learn anything is to see it and do it. The more hands on you can get during clinicals the more prepared you will feel that first day on the job. Good luck and have fun! (PS: I'm 26 and I still get carded when I am in a tobacco shop purchasing soda :) Lol)

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Specializes in L&D, OB Triage.

Also, if there's something you don't know how to do but will still like to do (and are allowed) ask the nurse to show you how if he/she has time.

Be attentive and eager to learn.

Always carry alcohol swabs in your pocket--if the nurse gets in a situation where he/she doesn't have one, you will look so prepared by being able to hand them one (I know it seems like a small deal, but all the nurses I have worked with have appreciated this).

Come ready to learn, and know as much about your patient, their meds and the meds side effects as possible.

As you continue on, learn about the disease process and know the pathophysiology of it all.

Be pleasant and polite, always double check with your nurse if they mind that you shadow them, and double check with the patient as well to see if they mind that you are taking care of them.

Good luck, you will be great!

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Specializes in MICU/SICU.

Be polite, enthusiastic (even if it is something simple like your run of the mill abdo pain admitted to r/o w/e) always read up on your pt, the meds, know your labs, do both the nurses and aides job (you have one-2 pts you can handle it) go round with the doc for your, i can't tell you how much you'll learn with them guys, observe procedures a nurse is doing, and if they are doing it improperly, thats ok please do not talk about it to other students just because you know the correct way, nothing in the hospital is ever textbook anyways. Don't nurse bash, if the nurse is mean/rude, so be it. Any other tips I'd be glad to help, as I just finished my clinical rotations 2weeks ago.

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Specializes in ED.

Be somewhat prepared, know about your pt.

Communicate with the RN what you are able to do and what you will be responsible for. Some students are at the point they can give meds, some just do bed baths, some do some procedures so let him/her know right off the bat what you'll be doing.

Don't stand around with the other students and just talk (too much). If you are bored (which sometimes happens, things get slow, you only have 1-2 pt) clean up your pt room. Collect trays. Offer to help another aide or nurse. Read charts. Ask other nurses to get you if they do anything interesting.

Volunteer to do procedures you are allowed to do. Talk to your instructor first of course!

Make sure your charting is complete and accurate.

don't gossip with other students, at least not on the floor.

good luck.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

Please be sure to ask questions about what you don't understand. This is how we learn. But at the same time, do share what you do know. Just by asking this question, you have shown great eagerness to learn. Good luck. i think you'll do great.

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Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Detox, Tele.

Always explain what you can and CAN'T do...offer to do whatever you can.

Keep flushes, sharpies and alcohol wipes on your person at ALL times.

KNOW your meds!

Offer to help with whatever nurses are doing...and if someone needs a blanket, help boosting, turning, changing whatever.....if you have the time, and you can, HELP!

the CNAs are your eyes and ears...the good ones will save your bacon more times than not.

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Always be prepared(know your patients condition, s/s they might exhibit, how to treat those s/s, and know their meds)

Let the nurses know exactly what you can do for your patient, so they know what they will still have to do

smile, be friendly and helpful to everyone

let them know if there is a procedure you need to practice on, they will help you find one

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You get a nurse? How lucky are you! We were assigned a pt. on the first day of clinical and were told that the best way to learn was to jump right in. We were left trying to figure out what we were supposed to do with this patient (by ourselves!) I thought we would follow a nurse or a CNA at least the first day. A few staff members commented that the student nurses looked liked deer caught in headlights!

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Specializes in ED.
You get a nurse? How lucky are you! We were assigned a pt. on the first day of clinical and were told that the best way to learn was to jump right in. We were left trying to figure out what we were supposed to do with this patient (by ourselves!) I thought we would follow a nurse or a CNA at least the first day. A few staff members commented that the student nurses looked liked deer caught in headlights!

So, you could give meds, and do all the procedures your first day? We were not able to give meds our first few clinicals due to not having learned med admin yet at school. Even through our 2 yr of clinical, we had a co-assign nurse for every pt we had. I assume due to legal reasons, that we were not RN's yet and each pt has to be assigned a RN. I am really surprised that your school did that.

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When you get to the floor:

Make sure you read the progress notes about your patient

Remember the patient before your careplan

If you see any equipment you do not understand, ask how it works

Check all your meds and know the side effects

Document, document...CYA

Bring skills cards with you before doing the skill with your instructor

Know your patient code status (example, DNR, just in case your patient goes into a cardiac arrest)

Be honest with your clinical instructor,

Ask questions if you not sure

If you school has a lab, go practice your skills before clinical

Have confident in yourself, dont look nervous (bad sign for patients)

Read the patho about your patient disease

Always check allergies before given medications to patients

Check lab values

Assess your patients......throughout shift

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Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.

It is apparent to me that you already possess the attitude and the eagerness to be great in clinicals. You have received great advice here as well.

Remember, that you could do everything right and still have some difficulties with the staff nurse working with you. In that case, please don't blame yourself. You can only control so much in the situation. There can be other issues going on. You will find this in your nursing career as you go along, sometimes personalities don't mesh and conflicts arise. It happens.

You are going to be great in clinicals!! :yeah::yeah::yeah:

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