Could somebody please share some experiences about their first time going to clinicals? Or to give me advice? I am just starting mine, and I'm a bit nervous about what to expect. Thank you so much for any replies. :)
labcat01, BSN, RN 629 Posts Specializes in ICU, CVICU. Jan 17, 2008 I think it depends on your program. In ours they tried to gradually introduce us to the clinical setting. Our very FIRST day we were paired up with a partner and we had an assessment sheet to fill out and then basically help the nurses. The point of our first semester was to get used to being in the environment: to work on taking report, doing assessments and passing meds while acquiring as many skills as possible. By the end of the first semester we were so bored....but then second semester came around and we really had to do the work of the RNs on the floor.Good luck, you will do fine!!!
Logos 229 Posts Jan 18, 2008 Your first day should be an orientation, learn the hospital, computer system, getting parking permit, or id, maybe watch an osha video?After that you will most likely get one patient your first semester, you will have assignments to be completed on that patient, probably a diff pt every week. First you will do bed baths, & then do things like a skin assessment, fall risk assessment, listen to lungs, heart etc, then you will put it all together and do a head to toe assessment. You will learn to write nursing notes, maybe write a few care plans, which my school did not teach- we all had to go buy books and wing it. But anyway, it is fun and just listen and keep busy. Even when your done doing what you need with your patient go ask another student if they need help. Don't let them catch you standing around doing nothing, even if there is nothing to do, find something. Good Luck, have fun!
Wolfe24 85 Posts Specializes in ED. Has 8 years experience. Jan 18, 2008 On our first day we just did ADL's and CNA skills. We had to pass a med administration skills test, and since we started clinicals the second week, we hadn't done the test yet. So there wasn't much to do the first week. My own first day was very nerve wracking. I'm not trying to scare you, but I had pretty much no medical background and they didn't prepare us very well for what we should be doing. I hadn't ever been a CNA before (other than to take the class) so I had no idea where to start. I just kind of stood there in the lounge and was almost in tears, but I think my instructor sensed that and she helped me a lot on the first day. I guess my point is, don't be afraid to ask for help and to ask for some direction on what you are supposed to be doing if you are unsure. You are a student, and it is the first day, of course you don't know what to do!!! My clinicals have all been smooth sailing since then, so after the first day or two, everything will start to "click." :)Good luck! Let us know how it goes!
Jilaweez, BSN, MSN, RN 628 Posts Jan 18, 2008 It is fun and scary and exciting. We were on an ortho floor. We basically got assigned a patient, listened to the nurse get report, introduced ourselves to our pt's, spent a lot of time talking to them, offering to help with things like bathing, making the bed, toileting, and vital signs. I was really nervous but I loved it and didn't want to leave so soon.
Joe NightingMale, MSN, RN 888 Posts Specializes in Med surg, cardiac, case management. Has 14 years experience. Jan 18, 2008 It really depends upon your program and instructor. Our first quarter we just spent a few hours on the floor doing some basic things with the patient, and reading the chart.This quarter we're spending more time with patients, starting working in pairs and later on our own. We've done charting, taken vitals, listened to reports, helped with basic activities. How it goes depend upon both the nurses and your instructor. We have a great instructor, and the nurses we've worked with are very helpful. My first patient was friendly too, so that helped.
EnkeliRN 27 Posts Jan 24, 2008 Thank you so very much to everyone who took the time to reply to my question. I had my first computer training and unit orientation today. I was a bit nervous, but then once we started the day it was a smooth sailing. I will post more questions soon. PS. I'll be on the ortho floor. Thanks :cheers:
eccentricRN 174 Posts Specializes in med/surg. Jan 24, 2008 It all depends on your program, my first clinicals were in LTC, and we did all CNA duties & nursing duties(pass meds, admin insulin, tube feedings, breathing treatments, some charting & reported off to our primary nurse @ the end of our day. We were paired for the first several weeks and had only on patient at a time.We were all nervous at first, but we were prepared because we had to do preclinical prep, we went in the day before & got information about our patint & had to look up their diagnosis, so we knew what to expect, what they needed & how to care for them.It'll be a good experience & your patients usually love students because well we only have one, so we have lots of time to spend with them.
Jilaweez, BSN, MSN, RN 628 Posts Jan 24, 2008 Thank you so very much to everyone who took the time to reply to my question. I had my first computer training and unit orientation today. I was a bit nervous, but then once we started the day it was a smooth sailing. I will post more questions soon. PS. I'll be on the ortho floor. Thanks :cheers:Glad to hear it went well!!
Multicollinearity, BSN, RN 3,119 Posts Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student. Has 4 years experience. Jan 24, 2008 It all depends on your program, my first clinicals were in LTC, and we did all CNA duties & nursing duties(pass meds, admin insulin, tube feedings, breathing treatments, some charting & reported off to our primary nurse @ the end of our day. We were paired for the first several weeks and had only on patient at a time.We were all nervous at first, but we were prepared because we had to do preclinical prep, we went in the day before & got information about our patint & had to look up their diagnosis, so we knew what to expect, what they needed & how to care for them.It'll be a good experience & your patients usually love students because well we only have one, so we have lots of time to spend with them.I'm really surprised you gave insulin so soon in your program.
cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN 4,105 Posts Specializes in Cardiac. Jan 25, 2008 Actually, Insulin is one of the first drugs given by nursing students. The only routes available to nursing students in the first semester are PO, SQ, and PR-no IV's.I gave insulin on my first clinical day in the hospital.
Multicollinearity, BSN, RN 3,119 Posts Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student. Has 4 years experience. Jan 25, 2008 Actually, Insulin is one of the first drugs given by nursing students. The only routes available to nursing students in the first semester are PO, SQ, and PR-no IV's.I gave insulin on my first clinical day in the hospital.I guess I had this cautionary notion about insulin and fear of giving too much and bottoming a patient out. I guess what I mean is - a special category in my mind about insulin v. other meds. I have no idea where I got this from.Anyway, good to know. Thanks Cardiac.
