First Clinical... Words of advice??

allthingsbright · Feb 27, 2006

Hey Brooke!

Ok, looking back, here are some ideas:

-Pack a tote bag with all your stuff-paperwork, scope, black pens, a snack or two and some H2O (who knows when you'll get lunch), scissors, and if you have room stick in an extra scrub uniform top and some socks. Dont ask why, LOL! When you get to your clinical site find a good place to stash your stuff, but carry as much on you as possible (scope, pens, penlight, cheatsheets, etc.) Dont forget any books you may need like your PDR, and remember your cell phone, PDA, whatever.

-Go to bed at a somewhat decent time and TRY to sleep (take a tylenol PM if you have to and if it wont make you groggy LOL)

-Set two alarm clocks if you have to, and make sure you EAT breakfast-something healthy. BE ON TIME!!!!!

-bring a clipboard for the paperwork you will carry around, a small notebook and two pens for your scrub pockets, and when you get to the hospital grab some alcohol swabs and stick 'em in your pockets if you get the chance.

-Get any pre-clinical paperwork done ASAP--do not wait til LATE the night before to do it if you can help it (careplans, med sheets, etc)

-When you get done, before you get in your car after clinical, take your shoes off, throw them in a plastic bag and leave them in your trunk. DO NOT TAKE YOUR NURSING SHOES INTO YOUR HOUSE! Trust me, c-diff is gross stuff and you can track it out of your clinical facility and into your home. Cats get c-diff, kids get c-diff, you get c-diff. I could tell you some stories. Shoes are just NASTY!

When you get on the floor, be curteous, friendly, don't talk the ears off the nurses when they are busy, don't chat it up with your friends when you are working 'cuz it looks unprofessional, ask good questions (think before you speak) and above all, treat you patients likes kings and queens. DO NOT call anyone honey or sweetie. You may not know much about nursing at this point, but you do know how to be kind, curteous, tactful, and compassionate. Learn all you can and make a good impression.

GL! You are going to have FUN! REALLY!

SuperStockRN · Feb 27, 2006

This may not exactly reference your first clinical, but maybe your first semester...

you are learning skills that will be the foundation of everything else you do; one of the most important skills I think you need to pay attention to is head-to-toe assessment. This is important in any kind of nursing you will go into. As an ER nurse, the head-to-toe assessment lends itself to a review of systems that must be done in seconds!!! Imagine how a simple skill you will learn to execute in "fundementals" will be part of your practice for its duration!

My bit of wisdom overall, for you, would be to take the time to learn as much as you can about the skills and topics NOW, while you're in nursing school, and especially in fundies. Learn it right the first time and you'll thank yourself later.

GOOD LUCK!!!!

tencat · Feb 27, 2006

Ask lots of questions to learn. There are always one or two nurses who like to teach and will answer questions if they're not too busy. If you don't understand something, keep asking until you do. For example, I was supposed to give 60 units (yes, I said 60) of insulin to a patient. That really didn't sound right, so I made sure to ask around and check the chart etc. It really was the dose (the guy was a BIG guy) but I made dang sure it was right before I drew it up and gave it. Always ask!

firstyearstudent · Feb 28, 2006

My advice is to talk with your patients as much as they are willing/able. You will learn so much from them!

ArmyKitten · Feb 28, 2006

Over the next few semesters you may find that occasionally you have done all of your paperwork, your patient is clean and resting, and you have *gasp* nothing to do.

Seek out opportunities to learn. Some of the best things I did in clinical were working with people other than nurses. There are physical therapists, respiratory therapists, etc that love to teach. If you find one that seems willing to let you "hang out" with them for a bit, take them up on the chance. One of the best teachers I ever had was a RT on the Trauma ICU floor when I was doing critical care clinicals. I let him know I was interested, he was willing to teach, and whenever I had extra time or he had "something cool" he would find me on the floor. I learned so much about treatments, vents, and chest x-rays that semester.

brooke0428 · Feb 28, 2006

Guys thank you SO much for all the friendsly words of advice!! I'll keep everything you said in mind! I'm off to my first day od preclinical!!! SO excited! I get to meet my patient and get all the info and then off to my scary care plan tonight!!! :-)

scubacb · Feb 28, 2006

Well, how was it? I have my first day of clinicals this friday! Talk about being nervous... What can I expect?

AuntieRN · Feb 28, 2006

I am so excited for you. I remember my first clinical. I was a nervous wreck. Just remember to breathe, look, listen and learn. Ask questions, never do anything you are not sure you know how to do or can do. It is better to ask then to do something and have it hurt your patient. This really is an exciting time for us nursing students. I am in my 4th of 5 semesters and I am still nervous every day I go to clinicals. Good luck!! and have a great day!!

Diva Nurse Dani · Mar 1, 2006

Brooke...

Remember this...treat your patients as you would want someone to treat your closest relative....treat your fellow nurses with respect and treat the aides with dignity ...always be willing to help (and if you can't ... be honest)....and above all....DON"T PISS OFF YOUR SECRETARY!!!!! :nono:

These are words to live by now....and Later!!!! :lol2:

Good Luck!!!!