First Day of Clinical

[JLA]

Hello All-

I am in my first semester and start clinical on tuesday. I'm feeling both excited and anxious. Any advice for me? I hear stories of RN's not being helpful and then I hear other stories of them being wonderful. I guess it's just a matter of who I get paired up with. My main worries are of course making mistakes or hurting someone. I know I have lots to learn and am only starting out, so I'm guessing I'll feel that worry for awhile. What do you find that you love about clinicals? What is challenging about clinicals for you? I'm curious to get input from others. Thank you!

Jen

[OB-nurse2013, BSN, RN]

Have fun and just be friendly and and ask to do things. You wouldn't believe how much more stuff I've gotten to see or do just because I ask, "Hey can I do that?" Make the most of your time, I always feel like clinicals tie everything together for me. I wouldn't worry about them so much though. Theres a lot of talking at clinicals, lots of "computer training", lots of telling you "their rules blah blah blah", so theres just a lot of repetitive information each semester so just make the best of it and I guess my point is at my school they never move fast if anything its slowwwww.

[Stcroix, ASN, PhD, RN]

Just get involved. "How can I help" will be your mantra. You become part of the solution no matter who you say that to, and it will open doors. Many students find it easy to stand aside and then often complain they never got to do anything. Jump in feet first and make the most of your time!