Clinicals: what was the biggest surprise or thing you would have wanted to know?

hippienurse · Jan 21, 2005

They are fun, I think. The trick is to remember--you are there to LEARN, they don't expect you to be perfect and know everything. Just work your butt off and learn all you can from those who have been there...

mariedoreen · Jan 21, 2005

I started my first year of nursing school in September. I get more nervous and anxious about the clinical portion of school than I do anything to do with the lecture portion... but my biggest "I'm so jazzed to be here!" moments only come during clinical. So I'm always scared to death to walk through that door... but it is only from pushing myself to do what makes me so uncomfortable that I get to experience those moments that make me feel so complete.

Jennerizer, ASN, RN · Jan 21, 2005

That the confidence will come in time after you get experience on the floor. Don't be afraid to ask questions, remember your patient is a real person & keep up with the charting.

CNM-to-be · Jan 21, 2005

I love it! ITA that getting through the door can be the hardest part. I'm in my 2nd semester and I still get a lump in my throat and my heart pounds during pre-conference when we're gearing up to go out on the floor. Once you find your groove with your patient, charting, and all your other responsibilities for the day its so much easier. Granted, some days you wish you would've stayed home but for the most part there is nothing like leaving the floor after a long day of clinicals filled with more knowlegde than you could ever get from a book!

studentnurse74, LPN, LVN · Jan 22, 2005

I wish someone would've told us that we are being CONSTANTLY watched and listened to by staff at the facilities. I don't know why that is. Our instructor has been pulled aside a few times now for things. And not things that have to do with their license or patient care, but stupid little things. Like today, a student went out to her car at lunch to make a phone call. (We are allowed to do that). Someone reported to her that a student was seen leaving at lunch! Do they have nothing better to do? I love my clinicals, but just remember you're in a fishbowl while you're there!

Jen,SN · Jan 22, 2005

that the first semester clinicals, where we had one patient, mild acuity, and no meds to give, could get really boring. After the initial assessment, vitals, and paperwork was done, we really didn't have much more to do.

I'm anticipating this semester will be better

CNM-to-be · Jan 22, 2005

that the first semester clinicals, where we had one patient, mild acuity, and no meds to give, could get really boring. After the initial assessment, vitals, and paperwork was done, we really didn't have much more to do.
I'm anticipating this semester will be better

I was bored too, during my 1st semester clinicals. I am however really nervous about have 2 pts this semester, giving meds, starting IVs, doing glucose checks, etc, etc. The pace has picked up a lot. I'm just thankful that we're only responsible for 1 care plan and concept map on one of our pts. Its only 3 weeks into school and I'm already overwhelmed. :uhoh21:

wonderbee, BSN, RN · Jan 22, 2005

What surprised me is that our med surg II instructor for semester 3 is having us take a step backwards. She's requiring us to do beds and baths. It kind of surprises me (and in a negative kind of way) because that was a first semester task. We've been told by every instructor since that they don't want us wasting the little time we have together focusing on that aspect of patient care anymore unless it's a necessity. With only five hours on the floor and two patients to care for, that can take a nice chunk of time. Yes, the total care of the patient is the nurse's responsibility. However, in real world nursing, bathing the patient and changing the linens will be a task taken over by and shared with the PCA.

Surprised, miffed and not looking forward to med surg II. The instructor gives off boot camp vibes.

mariedoreen · Jan 22, 2005

What surprised me is that our med surg II instructor for semester 3 is having us take a step backwards. She's requiring us to do beds and baths. It kind of surprises me (and in a negative kind of way) because that was a first semester task. We've been told by every instructor since that they don't want us wasting the little time we have together focusing on that aspect of patient care anymore unless it's a necessity. With only five hours on the floor and two patients to care for, that can take a nice chunk of time. Yes, the total care of the patient is the nurse's responsibility. However, in real world nursing, bathing the patient and changing the linens will be a task taken over by and shared with the PCA.
Surprised, miffed and not looking forward to med surg II. The instructor gives off boot camp vibes.

Ours tells us to do what we need to do to appease the floor staff, but to not sacrifice time needed for learning RN skills to do CNA skills (we all had to be cna's to get into our program) and that if he sees us doing that... he'll hang us out to dry. Sweet.

wonderbee, BSN, RN · Jan 22, 2005

I know you're right. Still, I don't know why we have to appease the staff at all. The ones that are helpful to us are helpful because they want to be. The others don't do thing one for us. And as for the PCAs, they disappear into a black hole when we come on the floor. Hey, they get paid for this.

Sorry to vent. I know, flexibility. I'm a tree. I can bend.:stone