clinicals

Don't be nervous, you have other students, the CNA's there and your instructor if you need anything. So if you aren't sure then ask. I have no health care experience and Monday will be my 5th day of clinical. The first day we just had an orientation and the next two days I teamed up with other students in my class to care for my patient. The most recent time we went, I decided I was going to prove myself and try to not ask for help unless I was unsure of something. Although I took longer than the CNA's who work with this person everyday, and I was slower than my classmates who have experience, my resident was cleaned, toileted, hair brushed, teeth brushed....everything and I did it all by myself. I felt so proud that I did it and that I knew what I was doing. So don't be nervous, you will be great! We haven't gotten out evaluations yet, we will soon, but I know she checks on us, she checks to see if their basin is moist so she knows we bathed them, she talks to our residents about our care, she checks to see if we document what we are doing, and she asks the CNA's we work with how we are taking care of our patient. Basically, while we work, she helps residents who might need help who aren't on our list, she "spies on us" to make sure we do our jobs well, and she also talks to us and asks us how it is going, what we have done, if we have any questions, if she has suggestions and stuff like that.

I'm starting LPN school in Jan and I'm really nervous about clinicals! I hate for people to watch me work and that's always been the worst part about starting new jobs with for me. What was your first clinical experience like? What did your instructor grade you on? What did he/she do while you were working?

I agree with I love scrubs, you will have other students who are CNA's, MA's that could help you do certain skills. As for me, Ive worked in a hospital for 2 whole years, did clinicals before when I was in votech in hs and when I was in a Nursing Assistant program. I was slightly nervous my first day of nursing school clinicals because I haven't done CNA work for over 1 1/2 and Ive never had to take vital signs when I did work HOWEVER, once I've started I realize that I've never lost it and was very confident in clinicals. My instructor graded us on changing foley's, giving certain shots such as insulin, Levonex (sp?), washing patient, making their beds, of course care plans, etc. It is natural to be nervous your 1st and maybe 2nd day, but you will be fine once you get used to it. Good Luck :)