how can I be a good clinical student?

Published

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!

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.

We won't be allowed to pass meds until we have checked off on this in lab, which will be in the next 3-4 weeks. I don't know how they can allow us to pass meds this early in our training.

We are apparently expected to do everything else for this patient, even though we don't yet know what everything else entails yet since it hasn't really been explained to us.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED.
We won't be allowed to pass meds until we have checked off on this in lab, which will be in the next 3-4 weeks. I don't know how they can allow us to pass meds this early in our training.

We are apparently expected to do everything else for this patient, even though we don't yet know what everything else entails yet since it hasn't really been explained to us.

so who did meds if there was no RN assigned to the pt?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
We won't be allowed to pass meds until we have checked off on this in lab, which will be in the next 3-4 weeks. I don't know how they can allow us to pass meds this early in our training.

We are apparently expected to do everything else for this patient, even though we don't yet know what everything else entails yet since it hasn't really been explained to us.

I'm guessing the pt has a nurse assigned, but that this nurse is not really working with you. My first clinical was like this. My instructor assigned us to pt's and then said "ok, go take care of them". The nurse did not speak to us and the techs ingnored the pt's that the students were assigned. It was not the most productive.

My 2nd clinical was sort of similar, but by then I learned to be more assertive. I would track down the nurse, tell he/she what I planning on doing (VS, assessment, etc), and what I was allowed to do or not do. When I was done with that I would come back to the nurse, let them know how the pt was and then ask if I could help with anything. Often times I would not only do the basics with my patient, but they would be open to letting me work with them on on their pt's.

I totally agree with Hygiene Queen. Don't hang out with your buddies while on the floor. This is really annoying to nurses. There is plenty to do and this is your opportunity to learn, but you need to take advantage of that. If you are a bit nervous the tendency is safety in numbers. We understand it but try not to. You will have a better experience in the long run.

Finally, just know that some nurses are wonderful, and some just aren't. If you are professional and serious about your clinicals, generally you will be taken seriously (no matter how old you look). If you do run across some less then helpful nurses, shake it off and move on.

Good luck to you - I hope you have a great experience! :wink2:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Gerontology.

Ask questions. Show interest. When asked if you would like to observe something, don't shrug and say - Oh I've seen one of those already.

While I do say ask question - chose you time wisely. If the RN is franticaly flushing an IV and running down the hall it means something has gone bad with one of her pts. Now is NOT the time to ask if pt so-and -so can have ice water! LOL (yes this happened to me)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Acute rehab, Geriatric, Hospice.

Lots of good tips here..

The more you can do or observe the better you will be as a Nurse.

-Frank

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Currently, I'm a nursing student who too just start my clinical portion. So far, my clinical time is bad because my instructor is not supportive.

Some instructor expect a student who does not a medical background to know everything on his/her 1st 2nd clinical day. Well, i'm in this spot now.

.

What you learn from school on stupid manikins is not like in the real world. I do know my stuff! But......

It's totally differents. Patient are sick and you see this for the first time in your life. :crying2: Trust me on this one! I'm the spot like you!

When you go to clinical, if you do not know anything or understand. Be honest and go up & ask your instructor. This is me!

If he/she is not helping you and be like: "Are you suppose to know this?".

Even though you ask questions and it show you're eager to learn. Asking questions mean you want to learn the right way not the wrong stuff.

Some instructor thinks you're bothering them and look at you like you're stupid!!!! I hate these people! They forget how it was like in Nursing SchooL! = Frustrating & Stress me out!

Damn it, go file a complain because we student do have rights. We can not walk into clinical and be a genius.

We're new at this like baby. We have to crawl 1 step at a time & can't run initially!

You have to be ASSERTIVE in nursing school.

I hope this help you out!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion