First clinical ahead tips?

Hopefulnurse30 · Jan 17, 2017

All of the things you mentioned in your post-Be prepared! I think that is the most important thing with any clinical. My first clinical was fairly easy, from what I remember we took vitals and did a health survey. It was more about learning to interact with the patient and becoming comfortable asking personal health information. Good luck! :)

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Jan 17, 2017

My first clinical shift in LTC, we were assigned one resident. We did a head-to-toe assessment, administered meds with our clinical instructor supervising, did total ADL care, assisted fellow students for the >1 assist residents, read through chart to learn their history, made nursing diagnoses. At the end of our time we had a post conference. Homework was a care plan based on our nursing diagnoses.

Relax, be a sponge, direct questions to your clinical instructor vs the floor nurses (if it's a resident-specific issue and your CI doesn't know the answer, your CI may refer you back to the RN/LPN, but you'll have first tried the resource who is paid to teach you.) Help answer call lights. Do not approach an RN/LPN with a med cart. They may have 30+ residents to give maaaaaany meds to, and allowing her to be free of interruption is a safeguard against med errors.

You've got this!

Trauma Columnist · Jan 17, 2017

Moved to general student forum

JessieMari · Jan 18, 2017

Definitely be well rested and fed. In addition, review your head-to-toe assessment, have your drug book (we use Davis), review your VS and and remember hygiene! Also, make sure you have a pocket-sized notebook to take notes or write down pertinent information regarding your site/clinical rotation. It will come in handy in the future and you'll build your own mini clinical/hospital guide. I carry mine in my scrub pocket and write down anything interesting or beneficial for future clinicals. Clicky ball-point pens come in handy too. Relax, take in everything, and ask questions about things you don't understand. Congrats and hope that helps!

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · Jan 19, 2017

Use this time to learn how to do thorough head-to-toe assessments and take vitals correctly. Usually, clinicals are where you start learning how to document in "nursing lingo" and develop care plans. If you don't already have a copy, get the NANDA nursing diagnosis book and the NIC/NOC books. They will help you develop a meaningful care plan for your patient. Learn how to relate you patient's lab results with their medical issues. (e.g. Does your CKD patient have elevated potassium? Why?)

As far as being onsite, try to absorb everything you can. Be helpful and offer to volunteer if someone needs a hand with a patient. Of course, check with your clinical instructor before helping with patients you're not assigned to, because each school has their own rules regarding what you can/cannot do during clinicals.

Good luck