Experience

I did not work in the hospital prior to ns. It was a bit scary at first. My advise. Jump in with both feet and show no fear. They should show you what you need and you will have on patient. Always take the opportunities to learn.

During clinicals I think that people that have sales or waitressing experience have an easier time. They are used to talking to strangers (patients). As for medical knowledge, yes the students without healthcare experience have a more difficult time. My classmates that have no healthcare experience need to study far more than I do (18 yrs healthcare experience) to get the same grades.

Nursing school is designed for the student that has no experience. My advise is be assertive during clinicals. If there is something that you can do or watch, take all the opportunities that you can. The more you do it the more confident you will be in later clinicals. I did a clinical rotation in the ER for my EMT class. I told the nurse that I want to do as many IVs as I can. Be careful for what you ask for. She told all the other nurses to let me start all IVs. By the end of the 8 hr rotation I had done over 30 IVs from the garden hose size veins to the little old lady tiny, fragile veins.

classy923,

I myself have never been employed in a human hospital setting, however, before I took the plunge to go back to school for my BSN I decided that I would volunteer at several different hospitals (...and rotate units, oncology, general surgery, orthopedic replacement, and NICU). While I started my prerequisite courses I volunteered a few days a week -- this allowed me to see various different areas of nursing health care and solidified my decision to go forward in applying to NS. ~ I think that those who have had jobs in a hospital, etc. may definitely be able to ease into clinicals a bit easier, but I think that as a volunteer I was at least able to expose myself to the "flow" of a hospital setting. I was able to absorb what nurses do and was able to talk with different patients about their various experiences.

I did not work in the hospital prior to ns. It was a bit scary at first. My advise. Jump in with both feet and show no fear. They should show you what you need and you will have on patient. Always take the opportunities to learn.

Jump in with both feet. I love that! This is something that I wanted so bad for years. I am finally ready to give it my all.

During clinicals I think that people that have sales or waitressing experience have an easier time. They are used to talking to strangers (patients). As for medical knowledge, yes the students without healthcare experience have a more difficult time. My classmates that have no healthcare experience need to study far more than I do (18 yrs healthcare experience) to get the same grades.

Nursing school is designed for the student that has no experience. My advise is be assertive during clinicals. If there is something that you can do or watch, take all the opportunities that you can. The more you do it the more confident you will be in later clinicals. I did a clinical rotation in the ER for my EMT class. I told the nurse that I want to do as many IVs as I can. Be careful for what you ask for. She told all the other nurses to let me start all IVs. By the end of the 8 hr rotation I had done over 30 IVs from the garden hose size veins to the little old lady tiny, fragile veins.

Thanks for the motivation. I love the quotes.I am excited to learn. I want to learn everything and experience everything that nursing school has to offer. My goal years ago was to become a medical assistant first to get my feet wet and experience the hospital surrounding. You must be perfect with starting IV's. Great advice... I will be assertive during clincals. Thank you!

classy923,

I myself have never been employed in a human hospital setting, however, before I took the plunge to go back to school for my BSN I decided that I would volunteer at several different hospitals (...and rotate units, oncology, general surgery, orthopedic replacement, and NICU). While I started my prerequisite courses I volunteered a few days a week -- this allowed me to see various different areas of nursing health care and solidified my decision to go forward in applying to NS. ~ I think that those who have had jobs in a hospital, etc. may definitely be able to ease into clinicals a bit easier, but I think that as a volunteer I was at least able to expose myself to the "flow" of a hospital setting. I was able to absorb what nurses do and was able to talk with different patients about their various experiences.

Great idea!!!!! I volunteered when I was in high school. I am going to look into those opportunities asap. Thanks!