do you get enough clinical experience?

[singleye]

hello, I'm seven weeks into a LPN program and we started clinical last week. Disappointingly, we're actually doing CNA work there (such as bathing pts, taking vital signs), anyone knows whether we'll be allowed to do more complicated tasks such as wound care, inserting catheter, etc as students? thanks. is it ok to ask nurses about it?

[SingDanceRunLife]

You just started clinicals! You shouldn't be expecting to be doing more complicated stuff at this point in time. I know my program (RN) starts out the same way at the beginning and they ease you into doing more.

[kcochrane]

That is basic for nursing. You start with the fundamentals and work your way up. Give a few weeks. You will probably start on dressing changes and other treatments as they become available. When I was in my LPN program we didn't start passing meds until 1/2 through our program.

[NP Sam]

Ready for the world huh? So am I! But we have to learn the fundamentals of patient care, we will be doing it our entire first semester (Im in 4 semester Accelerated BSN program). You might still do these things as an LPN. At the hospital where my clinicals are, RN's and LPN's are also assigned baths. Vitals signs will always be ultimately the responsibility of nurses. I learned that last week. Vitals are critical pieces of information and I know CNAs who make up temps, O2 stats, pulse, and respirations when they don't feel like doing it! It's very sad.

You and I will eventually get to the "fun" stuff!

[birthrevolution]

Baths are an important part of the art and science of nursing. I'm in my second med surg rotation and I gave my patient a bath yesterday, which helped her more than any of the morphine or dilaudid I gave her (with RN supervision of course). Just be thankful you have the time to stop and give patients baths, talk to them, and practice your therapeutic communication.

Of course you'll eventually get to do catheter insertions and wound care and other skilled nursing tasks. You'll also never stop giving baths or taking vital signs.

[whichone'spink, BSN, RN]

You just have to be proactive and keep your eyes open for opportunities. As you get more organized during clinicals, you'll have a little more time to look around.