Clinicals

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Starting my first clinicals next week, im so nervous, i dont know what to expect, do you guys have any tips on what to do and not to do :) thank you very muchhhh

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Hey I will be starting this week too!!!

Best of luck to the both of us.

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Starting this week as well. I hope someone posts some useful info about what to expect in clinicals before Thursday. It would be greatly appreciated. Good luck to both of you in your clinicals. :yeah:

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Specializes in Pediatrics, OB/GYN, ER, Geriatrics.

I do not know how your school works, but my school starts our first clinical out with basic patient care. In other words CNA work and head to toe assessments. Our second and third clinical rotation, we pass meds and do all nursing stuff...treatments, O2 Sat, charting, ect.

Best of luck to you both and hope that helps.

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Just follow instructions, listen and pay attention. DO NOT do anything that you are not skilled/licensed in...you will get in trouble! If someone other than your instructor ask you to do something and you are not sure about, respectfully decline and check with your instructor first. Just be open to learning everything that you can, by that I mean, volunteer to do things, watch procedures, and help out...it helps. Great Luck to you!

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what college are you attending?

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I am actually at norfolk technical center...Practical nursing

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My first clinical date is Sept 21st =D So Excited!

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How exciting! I was super nervous/scared/excited for my first day of clinicals but it wasn't so bad after all.

You start off with doing basic patient care like bed baths, changing briefs, feeding. NEVER do anything someone that isn't your instructor asks you to do, even if you'll sound like a b***h to the person asking you. Trust me, I've been asked to do this and that, and I have to decline which leads to that person giving me attitude. but sorry girl, I'm not doing something I'm not supposed to do because you're too lazy to do it.

At the first facility I went to, there were CNAs who were happy to have the free help, but then there were the CNAs who purposely made us feel like we were in the way. Oh well, just gotta deal.

Try to do everything you can (that your clinical instructor lets you)! Catheters, g tube dressings, etc. There was a pt who needed a cath, and EVERYONE in my class wanted to do it but me (I was scared!) so my teacher made everyone pick a piece of paper and the person who picked the paper with a star was the winner. Of course, I picked it. I COULD have given it to another classmate but I'm so glad I have the experience now!

Don't forget to eat a nice big breakfast! There were a few times that I skipped breakfast and it was total hell feeding a patient their yummy looking breakfast AND lunch while my stomach is making all kinds of noises!

Good luck to all you who are going to clinicals for the first time, it's a great learning experience =D

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