Whats the scoop on clinicals?

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I am going to start classes here this coming spring and the part I am most nervous about is clinicals because I have absolutely no clue what to expect. I know that depending on what hospital I will be in and what floor etc... my experience will be different than the next, but I am wondering if anyone has anything to say about what to expect in general or things maybe they wish they had known before they went into their clinicals. I am a little nervous about going in and having no clue what I am "in for". Thanks in advance to all who reply!! :yelclap:

Specializes in Day program consultant DD/MR.

IMO don't stay in the shadow. If something new comes up volunteer for it. Your instructor should be there with you. Usually your 1st clinical with be in and LTC/SNF and you will be doing the basics (more cna like stuff). As the clinicals go on they will get more challeging. I think clinicals is what you make of it. If you take the easy way out hiding when something needs to be done (there were these students in my class) you will not walk away with much. Good Luck you will do wonderful!!!!!!!!!

I just finished my first bout of clinicals. It is a new experience, even if you have previous medical training. I'm an EMT, and changing positions to going to the hospital was different.

The entire experience will be good. Like the previous poster said, this clinical is to get you into the basics. You'll start with an initial assessment, and probably work your way up to the harder stuff. Don't expect to have to give meds when you walk through the door. It's all about baby steps.

Focus on your assessment. Assessment is the most important part of this entire experience. Once you're good with assessing patients, and you have that skill nailed down to a science, you'll be able to treat your patients easier. Meds will fall into line soon after, along with other skills.

The most important thing is to be available. Follow the rules, and make sure you stay in touch with your instructor. Smile when around the patient, and keep a positive attitude towards your job. Even if you make a mistake, keep your cool. Your patient understands that you're new, and they'll more than likely be alright with you taking care of them.

Hope this helps! Good luck! What program are you in btw?

Specializes in Home Health Care.

Be prepared that you most likely won't get much more than a day orientation, then you are expected to hit the ground running. You will have to find everything on your own. You will work like a dog, feel lost, and have 1 instuctor that is never around. Be prepared that if something anywhere in the facility goes wrong, "The student's must have done it". You will get blamed for taking charts, assessment equipment and any thing else that can't be found from the nursing staff. Don't be surprised if the nurses & Dr's are not friendly to you. Some will look past you without returning a smile or warm greeting. Feel blessed if you get the chance for IV starts, sterile dressing changes, Inserting Cath's or NG tubes or anything else nursey. I hope that your experiece's far exceed mine. Best of Luck, and congratulations on starting Nursing school!

Specializes in Neuro, Cardiology, ICU, Med/Surg.

On my first day of clinicals, I found the hardest thing to do was to enter the patient's room. My first patient was a 78-year old man who had had a total gastrectomy and spleenectomy due to recurrent gastric cancer. The unit (where I now work as a PCA -- aide) is all private rooms. His door was closed, and I was with another student who was going to take his vital signs with me. It was so hard just to will myself to knock on and open his door.

By the next day, I had developed a rapport with him and it was a lot easier. Tell your first patient that he or she is your first patient (though it's best to tell them after you have successfully completed some task). A friend of mine who passed away recently was a nurse practitioner. When I told him that I was going to my first clinical, he told me that he could still remember his first patient. Tell this patient that you will remember him or her for the rest of your life, because you will. This can be a good ice-breaker.

Learn to be yourself. Make small talk. Always remember that the patients are people who are usually scared and anxious about their health and their future. This is hard to do when you're feeling green and incompetent as all of us do when we first start, but by letting the patients know how important they are to you (especially the first one), it can help to build a relationship with them.

Good luck and I hope you have a great first experience!

Karl

Specializes in DOU.

I think the thing about clinicals is that you need to be proactive if you ever want to try out new skills. Tell the nurse who is in charge of your patient exactly what you will be doing (which will depend on what you've been trained to do), and ask if there is anything more s/he would like done. Tell that nurse if you need new skills, such as IM injections, wound care, IV meds, etc. as it becomes appropriate. If the nurse thinks you are bright, they will teach you a lot and allow you to do appropriate procedures on their other patients, so be on your game. Keep in mind it is better to ask a question than make a mistake.

Specializes in Cardiology, Oncology, Medsurge.

I wish to recommend a book: Intensive Care: The Story of a Nurse by Echo Herron.

This helped me to see nursing in a realistic light prior to ever considering the nursing professsion. Great book!

PS. I have given this book away to aspiring nurses. And yes sometimes they are perspiring ;-)

Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

Your instructors do not want you to get in over your head either. The smart thing to do is to confirm what is expected of you THAT DAY. Remember, all the other students will be like you and all the nurses at the hospital have been down that road. You can do it!

Specializes in Nursing Ed, Ob/GYN, AD, LTC, Rehab.

Get to know the rules of your school fast and what you can/cant do at clinicals. Being nervous is natural but at the same time it will be structured and there will be people to answer your questions. You have to be fast, a self starter, and always find things on your own.

My best piece of advise is get insurance from NSO.com. You better believe if poo hits the fan you will be thrown under the bus and no one will protect you.

Specializes in Pediatrics, Med-Surg, Cardiology.

Every clinical is different and every instructor expects something different. Have a drug guide ready to go over drugs with you instructor before you give the meds (action, indication, side effects, etc). Have your small pocket notepad (to keep patient info) stethoscope, pen light, measure tape, RNnotes/MedSurgnotes by Ehren Meyers (great things to know for how to do nurse procedures) and nurse scissors on hand..just keep a clinical bag dedicated to clinical so that you want forget. Be prepared for whatever the instructor asks you to do and try not to be nervous.

Good luck!

Specializes in LTC.
I wish to recommend a book: Intensive Care: The Story of a Nurse by Echo Herron.

This helped me to see nursing in a realistic light prior to ever considering the nursing professsion. Great book!

PS. I have given this book away to aspiring nurses. And yes sometimes they are perspiring ;-)

I absolutely adore Echo Heron. The book you mentioned is what made me want to become a nurse. Well, among other things.

I feel bad for those who had a rough first clinical experience. I had a wonderful one. I got to do assessments, bathing, bed making, vitals, foley's, a sub-q injection lots of ted hose and scd's, witnessed an echo, iv insertion, PT, OT, and lots of other things. My instructor was readily available if I needed her and if she was busy a CNA or Nurse would answer my questions. I was really scared my first day and it didn't take long to realize I would be just fine. I loved just talking to the patients and getting to take in a whole new environment. I always made sure the nurse and techs knew what things I could do and they would come get me if an opportunity presented itself. I hope your first experience is great!

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