First day of clinicals at a hospital!! o_O Any advice??

[HannaRae]

I'm a student Vocational Nurse and my first day of clinicals (officially) is in 6 days!! I am feeling all sorts of different emotions as the day is looming closer. It's not my first clinical experience because I took a CNA class and we had our clinical at a long term care facility with the elderly patients. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. The reason why I'm sooo nervous is because our clinicals will be in a hospital and I don't know what type of patients I'm going to be assigned to. I have this fear that the patient I will get will give me a hard time and since I'm in the youngest age group in my class (I'm 19- there are two other 19 year olds in the class), I'm afraid that the patients won't cooperate with me. I also feel unprepared because I've never inserted a F/C before on an actual patient and I'm afraid at the kind of reaction I'm going to get from a patient. (I can imagine that it's going to be really painful)Our clinical instructor is really nice but really strict. She expects a lot from us. Can somebody please, please PLEASE give me advice on how to go through with my first day (and the rest of the clinical experience) smoothly. And please tell me how was your first clinical day and what kind of patients you had and their reaction to a student VN taking care of them. It would also help a lot if you are somewhere close to my age. I think that once my first week is done with, I can feel at ease and will be confident throughout the entire clinical experience. Thank you for reading my concerns and if you ever choose to respond.

[mcknis]

Chances are the first day won;t be with any pts but more than likely with your instructor/staff on a scavenger hunt/orientation. But when you do get to your first day, just relax, try to learn as much as you can, learn your pt, and be an asset to the staff (vitals on time, help with any small chores, etc.), work well with the aides (they can provide you with many tips and tricks). Overall, just know your meds if you are passing any, know about your pts history and current dx and how to care for that dx (diagnosis). And if you remember one thing...relax, relax, relax.

[MammaNurse2Be]

Ok, not a nurse yet but remember you can only control you...

Show up on time.

Be clean and groomed.

Be pleasant to others.

Volunteer first even if you are scared or unsure.

Offer to help others (it takes the focus away from you and makes you feel confident)

Say to yourself, "I am confident and there is nothing that will happen today that I cannot deal with!" Say it loud at home while looking in the mirror!!

SMILE

Start the day with a good breakfast.

Make sure you have the materials you need (supplies)

Bring a good snack

Volunteer to do the jobs that no one wants

Thank your instructor at the end of the day!

[pepperanne7]

Hi, first of relax and take a deep breath. Be confident in your knowledge and be proactive. Show up on time, have all your equipment with you. My first clinical day was stressful but I learned to ask questions, make good relationships with your CNA's and with your secretary and be humble. I learned that during my first clinical and throughout the rest of my clinicals the CNA's were such a great help. Remember you are a student and you are learning, no one is perfect. Make drug card for your patients medications and keep them in your pocket, reveiw the routes of medications andministration. I kept a little cheat cheat in my pocket that refreshed my memory on shots, and PO meds and tube feedings. Review your insulins not immediately but sometime in the near future. Eat breakfast, and make good patient/nurse communication. Never say this is my first time doing this, when doing a skill. You will be great, clinicals are the greatest part of nursing school, it reminds you of why you decided to become a nurse. Good Luck!!!