clinical morning routine and tips

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Hey there - I am new here. I'm a 2nd year nursing student in So. California, just getting started in my peds clinical.

Despite that I have been in clinicals for over a year now, i still get this panicky feeling before every clinical. I get everything prepared, get there early to prep, and say my prayers... it works and I get into the swing of things, but I am always curious about everyone else. Am I the only one that gets this nervous? What do you do to kick the clinical morning nerves? And if you don't get nervous... what do you do to prep for your day?

thanks!

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EAT BREAKFAST

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At my school we go pick our patients the day before clinicals so before i get there i know all the medications my patient is taking, at what time, and the nursing implications. I also know why their admitted and i have had time to look up what procedures might be needed possible nursing diagnosis's for this patient and interventions. And i also look up special assessment or focused assessment criteria for the patient.

If this is not the case for your school your kinda SOL. Ive never not had a day to prepare and if i didn't i think i would probably feel really lost as well. Alot of the nurses i talk to so they gain most of their clinical knowledge post graduation in the field so im sure most other students feel just as lost most days.

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MappyMouse - thanks, I do eat breakfast! :)

Will - i guess I should have been a bit more specific about my clinicals. In med-surg we always went the day before to pick patients, and that was great since it allowed us to prepare. Once we got to Maternity, we were assigned pts in the morning since birth is so unpredictable, but the rotation was so mellow that there wasnt much to worry about. Now I am in pediatrics, and we get assigned our patient the morning of clinical. I had my first day...but it was an observation in the PICU, so no need to prep there. Tomorrow is my first pt care day, and I'm anxious. I'll be getting there early to make sure I get get my info down and talk to my nurse, etc. But I guess my issue is more of a mental prep. I know people each have their own prep-rituals, just curious as to what others do to get ready for the day's tasks. :) Thanks for the response!

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Specializes in Utilization Management.

I had my first Peds clinical last Monday and I just could not get it together! I organized everything the night before, but as soon as I got my assignment, everything went to hell! My nurse was cool, my patient was fine (1 month old) but I was nervous and shaking...I'm never like that. I completely forgot how to load a syringe pump! Luckily my instructor was nice and walked me through it LOL. Towards the end of the shift, I started to relax, but geeze, it was ridiculous. I think it was bc I don't have any kids of my own and I'm not around kids normally. But good luck! I hope you get through the day with having an anxiety attack like me :yeah:

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OH no! I'm glad to hear you got through it ok! :up:

Thanks for the heads up...you said you forgot how to load a syringe pump... i've never even touched a syringe pump.... so you've got the one up on me there! I hope it all goes well!!!!

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Specializes in CICU.
What do you do to kick the clinical morning nerves?

I try to take all afternoon clinicals! :D

I am always nervous, I don't think I'll shake that for awhile, even though I am almost done. I've never had patient assignment the day before - always the morning of (although we'll usually have the same the second day). I think kowing early would actually make me more nervous...

Eating breakfast is good too. I :redbeathe breakfast.

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