??? about first day of clinical

memphispanda, RN · May 16, 2003

It probably varies tremendously from school to school. My first day of real, in the hospital, patient in the bed clinical was sort of like this:

We went to the floor and our instructor gave us the name/room number of our patient. We found the chart and read over it quickly. We were expected to go in the room, do a head to toe assessment, bath, linen change. The instructor wasn't on top of us the whole time at all...she sort of went around behind us to see if we were running on time, if the bed was made correctly, etc. We had a lot of paperwork from the first day--complete history, complete physical, and a few other things too. It was only a 3 hour clinical, so it wasn't too bad.

maire, ASN, RN · May 16, 2003

My very first day I had to do a process recording. :rolleyes: Walked into the client's room scared to death but ready to try out some therapeutic communication, and as luck would have it I had the fellow who was recovering from prostate surgery and wasn't very talkative. He grunted a lot as I recall...

I didn't get to do the fun bed baths and linen changes until week 2.

babynursewannab · May 17, 2003

My first clinical day was a whirlwind of activity. Where I anticipated quietly following around a nurse and helping out here and there, I actually ended up educating a post-laminectomy patient on movement and post-surgical self-care, his handicapped wife on one-handed sterile dressing change (THAT was a last minute challenge), pulling out the JP drain from his spinal surgery site including removing sutures INSIDE the incision, discontinuing his IV site and discharging the patient all the way out to his car!!!

I know my day was a complete exception to the norm, but it just proves, you NEVER know what you are in for when you go to the hospital!

Enjoy it, it's why you're here!!!

HollieRN · May 17, 2003

I was a nervous wreck my first day of clinical ... but it was set out pretty easy for us.

My very first patient was an eldery lady who had COPD and other breathing problems. Did vitals, helped her get dressed, went for a walk w/ her and phsyio, and ... that was about it.

The sad part was that near the end of my rotation, she was back in the hospital and died