First Clinical today! Well, more like an orientation and...

jesskidding, LPN · Sep 15, 2011

That's great you all get along well. It helps to have a great group. Glad you are so happy!

:)

cccormier · Sep 18, 2011

Glad to hear you're having a good experience with it so far!

I will be starting my first clinical very shortly, and I don't know what to expect!!!

If you don't mind me asking, do you know (as a group) what you are expected to do? Do you follow a clinical instructor and perform tasks as a group, or as an individual at first?!?

i<3u · Sep 18, 2011

Glad to hear you're having a good experience with it so far!
I will be starting my first clinical very shortly, and I don't know what to expect!!!
If you don't mind me asking, do you know (as a group) what you are expected to do? Do you follow a clinical instructor and perform tasks as a group, or as an individual at first?!?

I'm not sure of how your program does it, but we were paired up on our first day. There was very little we could do besides vital signs, bed baths, and transferring (because that's pretty much all we've checked off for in skills lab so far). However, my patient was pretty independent. We completed a lot of documenting though. I think it depends on your program and your specific clinical instructor.

Just a few tips: It's ok to be nervous (if you are), most of us were (except the one person in our group that has CNA experience at that particular hospital). As a matter of fact, next time I'll probably still be nervous (just a little less), because I've just started clinicals too. I don't know...I think I was so worried about being in the nurses' & tech's way and being all in the patients' personal space, ya know? Just don't let your nerves get the best of you. Smile and introduce yourself to the employees on the floor that you'll be working with/learning from. Don't be afraid to ask questions, if you don't know. Also, most of the patients are pretty cool and know that you are there to learn.

You'll do fine, though. Good luck!

i<3u · Sep 18, 2011

Oh, and our clinical instructor was there to guide us, answer questions, etc. Plus, we had a RN mentor that helped us (she was amazing...I wish she could be there during every clinical!) We weren't expected to be perfect, but be accountable for what was learned in lecture, lab, and whatever other learning opportunities were experienced/offered. Be professional for the most part :-)