First day of Clinical!

LoriRNCM, ADN, ASN, RN · Mar 7, 2015

You will be practicing assessments and doing CNA duties, most likely. Don't know about your assignments, that is relevant to your school. We started care plans fairly quickly. If you have skills you have learned in lab you will be able to do those and get them checked off.

Bedside_Life RN · Mar 7, 2015

You will most likely be providing "Total Care", which is completing the duties of the Nurse and Nurse Assistant. Review in your textbook or a reliable source the pathophysiology, etiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostic tests, complications, and medications for the patient population that you will be working with. You don't have to know everything down to the molecular level of course, but at least be familiar with what you are walking into.

Right now you are a Novice (according to Benner's model) so you will not be expected to know everything, and that is okay. Just remember SAFETY FIRST, this will always lead you in a good direction; if you don't know, ask. It is the students who do not ask that are at the highest risk of creating an unsafe situation.

Familiarize yourself with the protocols for those hip and knee patients. Think about the anatomy of those areas and how they normally function. Ask yourself, "What about my patient required them to have this surgical intervention?", "What potential risks exist now that this patient has had surgery, and how am I going to decrease these risks?, "How does my patient feel about their situation?", "where do I need to focus during my assessment that is related to this patient's main problem and what am I actually looking for?", "why does my patient need the prescribed orders (pharmacological, and non nonpharmacological), and how well are these working for my patient?".

These are just a few things to think about, there are many more aspects to holistic total care, of course.

Consider how a stroke can change the normal functions of one's normal bodily function, and what areas have been altered as a result of the stroke. Review your CNS and how to assess for Neuro patients.

Try to cluster your care so that you are not coming and going every five minutes and remember that some of the medications you administer can greatly influence when you should perform your Nursing duties.

There are multiple aspects of what you are asking, but don't worry, you will learn as you go. Ask as many questions as possible. Go in the room when the Physician makes rounds and just listen. Don't be afraid to go into the patient's room and don't get stressed out if it takes you longer to do things than you expected. You will acquire time management skills and confidence with every clinical experience.

Take advantage of the opportunity to be a student and LEARN!

Good luck!

nlitened · Mar 7, 2015

It all depends on your school, so these are things you should be asking your CI. But you most likely will be doing CNA duties only. And even some of those duties your CI will want to see you do the first time so they know you are competent.

But just enjoy your clinical experience, be willing to jump in whenever you are needed, and don't be afraid to ask questions and interact with the nurses...who will most likely be willing to show you some interesting stuff. The nurses and the CNA's will know that you are a student and learning, so don't worry if you "freeze". There will always be someone there for you. Ask for help when you need it, and ask questions when you don't understand or need clarification.

Have fun!

Christinajoannne · Mar 7, 2015

Most likely CNA duties, so likely changing the beds, helping with the people eat etc, doing vitals! Just learning to get report from the nurse, for your patients. I also give medications for my patients with my instructor, and Head to toe assessment. :)