Common Mistakes to Avoid?

kalycat, BSN, RN · Jul 10, 2015

When taking care of a newborn during OB clinicals, and the new mother asks what you're doing and why you're doing it, don't respond with something along the lines of "I'm trying to take care of your baby's breathing and temperature problem since you don't know how to". It upsets mommy even more if she was totally unaware (until that point!) that her child had any complications. Not only have you just ended a sentence with a preposition, you've sent panic and piss off raging through every fiber of mother's hormonally-charged being.

No, this wasn't me.

Seriously though, one thing I've heard repeatedly from clinical faculty who have now become friends is that saying "I know" or just saying "ok, ok, ok" when they're trying to explain things to you sends a very poor message regarding your willingness to learn and your ability to appropriately receive feedback.

Make eye contact, be engaged in learning, and verbally run through/describe your process prior to performing a skill. (PRIOR to entering the patient's room.) This gives your instructor or preceptor the opportunity to make suggestions, tweak your method, or describe their preferred technique for performing the skill. It also shows that you've done your preparation and have a rationale for your actions. Be concise and clear. This approach served me well as it helps to prevent the dreaded micromanagement, or worse, the scenario where you make an error as you're starting the task and your instructor actually stops you and completes it themselves.

If your program uses the Socratic method, don't be afraid to actively answer the questions to the best of your ability even if you're not 100% correct. My instructors would keep questioning until you had fully and correctly responded or until you started responding incorrectly. If you truly don't know how to answer the question, state your willingness to find the information and name the resource you plan to use to do so. Don't make excuses for not knowing, just state your plan of action to obtain the correct information.

Most importantly, remember the old Native American adage: "two ears, two eyes, one mouth". Good luck to you.

mae0218 · Jul 10, 2015

When you are doing a skills check off and you make a mistake, don't come off as defensive if an instructor points out your error. Ask questions if you need something clarified, but don't act defensive, and try to learn from what they are saying.

Be prepared. Read ahead of time and be familiar with the lecture material before class.

wanderlustnurse88, RN · Jul 10, 2015

Know what you can and cannot do during clinical. Each placement you can do more and the nurse you are working with might not know exactly. Communicate with them at the start of the shift.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Jul 10, 2015

I am starting my core BSN classes in August and I am just wondering what advice anyone can throw my way on what NOT to do or say during school. We don't start our clinical's until our Spring semester. I don't want to be THAT student that says or does the wrong thing that my professor will never forgive.

Be on time.

Follow the rules, even the ones you think are silly. Corollary: Know the rules. If they say no nail polish, don't wear nail polish, even if you think it's stupid.

Don't be late.

Be open to feedback of the negative sort -- you will make mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes. When offered feedback, even if you don't like the delivery, take note of the message. Don't be defensive. Thank the person who gave you feedback, even if you'd rather bite her head off, wait for her at her car with a few muscular friends or sit in the corner and cry. Offering someone negative feedback is a very difficult thing to do, and it's even more difficult to do it well. If someone works up the nerve to give you negative feedback, it means they think you'll make use of it and benefit from it. When you think about it that way, negative feedback is a real compliment.

Don't go looking for positive feedback. If you're doing it right, you're doing what you're supposed to be doing and it's the rare boss who will give you kudos for that. Professors may not be that different.

Be on time, dressed correctly and professionally and according to the dress code for your school or your clinical site, whichever is stricter.

Study. Study hard.

Be honorable and ethical in all of your interactions.

DoeRN · Jul 10, 2015

Even if you are currently a CNA or PCT, please I beg of you don't act like you know everything in clinicals. I personally know 3 PCT'a who failed their clinicals because of this attitude. I was a PCT too but didn't mention it to any of my classmates or professors. I went to clinicals with the mind set of learning. Not saying well on the floor we do things like this. Errpp wrong! Do things the textbook way in clinicals.

windsurfer8, BSN, RN · Jul 10, 2015

Use common sense. Be respectful. Be polite. Get to class and clinicals on time. If you say something goofy no one cares in the end. I asked some really lame questions and I could care less what anyone thinks. In nursing school there are no "cool kids". It is survival.

johsonmichelle · Jul 10, 2015

Seek the help of the instructors early in the semester, most times student either never ask for help or they ask too late after they have failed an exam. Nursing Instructors are very valuable and most want their students to succeed.