First day of clinical

Nursing Students General Students

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I was wondering if any of the seasoned students would like to share what their first day of clinical was like? What kind of setting? Did you feel prepared? What did you do? Did you work in groups or alone? I would love to hear your stories!:)

The only clinical I've had so far was a nursing home one for a nurses's aid class. Having some brief but previous work experience in LTC I found it to be easy. We worked in partners and were given detailed instructions on what to do and what not to do without the instructor present. I found it to be cake, the ones who had never been in that type of environment before were frustrated and overwhelmed. Good luck either way, and try to make the best of it!!

Brian

That's my fear! I have NO experience. So many classmates are CNAs, while I don't even have the slightest idea how to take a blood pressure.

ah, the first clinical day. :D

almost a big let down if you think about it. you get so hyped up and worried "will i know what i'm doing?" "will i do something stupid?" :chuckle

our first clinical was very basic. in a ltc facility and mostly we did vitals, baths, made beds, etc. just help with adl's. you learn assessment....head to toe. does anything look out of the ordinary for that person?

you question yourself a lot, you question your instructor, you may even question the nurse of that patient (who usually says that yes, it's normal for ms. _______ to look/feel/sound/act that way).

but the important thing is that you recognize that even though that patient may look/feel/sound/act that way everyday, you KNOW that that is not normal for the average person.

i'm almost finished (9 months left) and i still get excited and anxious with the "first" clinical day of the quarter.

best of luck!

We do not get to set foot into clinicals until the 5th week of school. Our school has a "mini hospital" where we get to practice our skills on dummies and each other first, before they let us loose :D

i will let you know next month lisa !!! :balloons: :nurse:

Same here! I think about this exact same stuff too. But we'll all be on the same page soon.

Your lack of experience means you will listen carefully to the instructors expectations and not go beyond the set limits. Sometimes CNAs find it hard to curb their desire to proceed ahead before the instructor has given the green light. Saw more friction between instructors and CNAs over this than ever saw between instructers and inexperienced students who did what the instructer said they were safe to do.

Specializes in LTC, ER, ICU,.

for me, clinical does not start until the end of september. i will let you know then also.

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