Clinicals - What Not to Do?

AspiringNurseMW · Sep 7, 2015

Following. I also want to leave the best possible impression to help secure a job down the road.

cracklingkraken, ASN, RN · Sep 7, 2015

Don't hide when it's time for a bed bath. One of the girls in my group had to meet with DON because she told the nurse that she never did a bed bath before and wouldn't do one for her pt. Don't annoy the bejeezus out of the nurse, if there is one you're assigned to. Just introduce yourself at the beginning of the shift and offer to help with anything he/she needs. Mention that you would the love the opportunity to observe an NG insertion or Foley if you know that the pt has one. Don't get in the way. If you see your fellow cohorts gathered together, disperse. You're most likely in the way.

Good luck. Clinicals can be very eye-opening for those who seize each given opportunity.

OCNRN63, RN · Sep 7, 2015

Don't take up the chairs at the nurses' station if you have no reason to be there. If you are assigned to a nurse, don't leave the unit without letting him/her know you'll be leaving. No gum chewing/cracking.

Be helpful. Don't just ask to do the "cool stuff." There's a lot you can learn about your patient from just mundane tasks.

Dogen · Sep 7, 2015

I'm different than other people, so if your preceptor is like me these things will work.

1. Ask questions, but not if you can reasonably get the answer on your own.

1a. Good question: "What does it mean that his serum protein is low?" or "Can you explain how you decided to do X before Y, when they're both timed for 0900?"

1b. Bad question: "Why aren't you mixing those two insulins together?" (you should be relatively familiar with insulin, you'll see it A LOT)

2. Do stuff, but ask first. If your preceptor is showing you how to do something ask if you can hold a limb, or hold the patient, or hold a light, or something to make it easier. Making your preceptor's life easier is a quick way to win them over.

3. If you have one patient and you've done everything for them already (and only if you've done everything for them), ask if you can do anything for one of their other patients. This will become more useful as you're allowed to do more things without supervision, but even grabbing VS, cleaning a patient, or helping a CNA bathe a patient is a good way to get on my good side.

4. Be utterly, utterly safe. If I think you're going to skip scrubbing a hub, or not double check a name band, or forget to flush a line, I'm going to be your shadow and that won't make anyone happy.

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Sep 7, 2015

Maintain reasonable personal space. My last capstone student was always RIGHT ON TOP OF ME. As in almost touching! NOT cool.

Also, please do not make 'helpful' comments to me about my health/ habits. I don't drink much while on shift for obvious reasons. One orientee I had was always pushing me to drink more. Uh, no. I'm sixty years old and have had four kids- I do NOT need a full bladder.

Do NOT take your break when there is stuff going on.

Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN · Sep 7, 2015

Maintain reasonable personal space. My last capstone student was always RIGHT ON TOP OF ME. As in almost touching! NOT cool.

Agreed! Give me some space. You don't need to follow me to the bathroom and stand outside the door waiting for me to come out.

You should also be mindful of questions you're asking in front of patients or families. When in doubt, wait for a more private moment.

Dogen · Sep 7, 2015

You should also be mindful of questions you're asking in front of patients or families. When in doubt, wait for a more private moment.

This is really good advice.

Trauma Columnist · Sep 7, 2015

Moved to specialized forum.

mrsboots87 · Sep 8, 2015

The simplest advice is to not act entitled and be as helpful as you can.

Dont avoid the "dirty work". If asked to clean a soiled patient or give a bed bath or what not, go do it with a smile on your place.

Us student nurses are not actually very helpful and are usually a burden to the floor staff because we are slower and ask a lot of questions. Do take it to heart if a nurse is too busy to let you do some things or go ever things with you all the time. Try to be the least burden you can be and ask questions at an appropriate time. In the middle of a conversation with a physician or in front of a patient is not the right time.

When end offered to practice a skill, make sure you review the correct process and procedure before doing so. If you go in cocky but don't actually remember everything you need to do, then you will lose the nurses faith in you and probably not be offered skills anymore. If you admit you need help and ask a few good questions, then that shows you are serious about doing it right the first time. Just make sure to be confident in front of the patient and don't feel bad if the patient gets nervous and doesn't want a student. Especially in invasive or personal things like IVs or foleys.

Basically, just be as prepared as you can be. If you don't know an answer to something, say you will find out and then really go find out. Make yourself available but also don't get in the way of any of the staff. Call your instructor for med passes and IVs and such early so you don't miss your chance. GL

WandaRN2BSN · Sep 8, 2015

Don't Be Late!!!

ambr46 · Sep 8, 2015

Don't take up the chairs at the nurses' station if you have no reason to be there. If you are assigned to a nurse, don't leave the unit without letting him/her know you'll be leaving. No gum chewing/cracking.
Be helpful. Don't just ask to do the "cool stuff." There's a lot you can learn about your patient from just mundane tasks.

This is excellent advice