Published Jun 23, 2011
nursvrp3883
8 Posts
Hi fellow GPC Nursing Students,
Can any of the recent GPC 1921 students give a break down of what you do during clinicals? I'm curious what I will be expected to do during the 8 hour shifts. Also, anyone in the Spring 2011 class--did they offer Saturday and Sunday options, or 3-11pm shifts on Thursday and Friday?
I need to keep my full time job while beginning the Fall program, and I am trying to work out scheduling possibilities with my management. Any insight would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks a bunch!
mangopeach
916 Posts
They did not offer weekend clinicals for us in 1921. This semester in 1930, there are some Sat clinicals. No Sundays. However they are 12 hr shifts. We did 8 hour shifts in 1921. I don't know if they will have 12 hr Saturdays for your class. We did not have that option, all our clinicals were weekdays 7am-3pm Thurs & Fridays.
In clinicals you will do basic patient care - taking care of hygiene needs, assist with meals, make beds. Measure intake & output, empty foley drainage bags. Do accuchecks. As you check off on the skills in lab, you will be able to do them in clinicals. You can't do a skill in clinical until you've passed checkoff for it in lab.
Your 1921 Skills are
Vital Signs
Sterile Dressing Change
Oral Meds
Subcutaneous Injections
Primary IV
Foley Catheter
You will also be doing head to toe assessments on your patients. You have to do a checkoff for it for clinicals to pass clinicals, but its not one of your lab skills that you will check off for in lab. But you must pass it in clinicals to pass clinical. You will be expected to do the assessments on your patients and include it in your careplans. How much else you get to do will depend on your instructor and your patient's needs. Some instructors might let you go on rotations so thats cool, you might get to shadow a wound care nurse or an IV nurse for a day. But it depends on the instructor.
Thank you, mangopeach. Clinicals sound like a lot of fun! I can't wait to get started!