Great First Day!!!

[seamang2, BSN, MSN]

I wanted to share my first clinical experience and ask what I should expect for my second.

My first day of clinicals was great! The night before I spent over 6 hours devising a care plan for my pt. I never used it, but I learned a lot about putting one together. The next day, I introduced myself to my pt, to vital for six pts, and then I got a unique request. There was a verbally abusive male pt on the floor refusing pain meds. I was requested to feed the pt, and feed him I did. I used my skills to get breakfast into him with little difficulty and even a thank you afterwards. Feeling proud of that task I went back to my pt and offered a bath. When he declined, I went and found a CNA and asked if she had any pts that required AM care. I was assigned to a pt who had right side paralysis and a NG tube, so I got to practice pericare, bed baths, and linen changes. After this I answered several call lights, emptied a few bedpans, and charted I/O's, again I get to practice skills I learned in class. Then my entire clinical class (6 of us) were invited to observe a VAC bandage dressing change. The wound care nurse allowed us to aid in the preparation and application of the bandage. Then after we were done with that we had scheduled post-conference, but missed it because one of my classmates had passed out. Instead we went to the ICU with the wound care nurse where we observed a case of degloving (and I saw critical thinking in action, pt was bleeding too much) and then to a bandage change on a pt with a recent case of narcotizing fasciitis. All the students left at 1230 when the end of our shift came around, but I asked to remain until the procedure was finished. At 1330 I went to the lobby, walking out of the hospital thinking that this may be the best day ever.

Could all the nurses let me know what I did right, what needs work, and what I should be expecting in my next clinical day. In addition to vitals, this week I should be able to pass enteral meds.

Thanks

PS So far nursing is great!!

[SanFranSRNA]

Wow...seems like a great first day. Congratulations. I graduated from RN program in 2005. You reminded me how I enjoyed clinical..... Keep up the great work.

[tokmom, BSN, RN]

Nursing is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you will get. :) Congrats on the first day!

[goodoldroxie]

Glad you dove right in. Your enthusiasm will help you to get through. Good luck.

[newway]

I take it you havent worked as a CNA? that will most likely be the last time you are exited about bed baths. bedans. and pericare LOL. congrats i start this fall :)

[Florence NightinFAIL, BSN, RN]

The thing I would encourage you to continue as a student is to ask other nurses if they have any procedures/skills for you to do/practice not just for the pt/pts you are assigned to. You only have limited amount of time as a student to practice and gain skills before you are on your own so take advantage of this and involve yourself in everything.

The more helpful you are to the other nurses (answering call bells, helping with care, etc - after you are done your tasks of course), the more likely they are to share their experience/knowledge and be open to letting you do stuff.

I see some students on my floor only listen to report until their pt is mentioned and then leave - if it's ok with ur instructor- I would get report on all the pts assigned to your nurse and do the rounds with her. Don't limit yourself to just YOUR pt/pts. You will miss out on so much if you do. When you listen to report you will hear of plans/procedures for the day and thus you can ask if you could do/observe or make notes to look up later. Ex. if report says that so and so is going for a certain procedure and you haven't heard of that - good opportunity to look it up. IF they say plan is for discharge - you can then volunteer to do it or ask the nurse if you can be there when he/she is doing it so that you can learn. Etc. Etc.

Good luck. Keep up the good attitude and you'll go far.

Always volunteer to do stuff - either during clinical or in class. Some pple might think you're a keener/pet but who cares? You'll appreciate it down the road.

[kool-aide, RN]

Awesome! Sounds like you had a successful first day!

[Phoenixbyrd]

Love it! Congratulations. Your first day sounds like the ideal experience. I hope my first day (in a year, hopefully) mirrors yours.

[workingmama77, BSN]

So jealous! I start this fall and hope to have a great day like you just described at least a few times during my clinicals. Awesome & congrats! :yelclap:

[gettingbsn2msn, MSN, RN]

Sounds like you are doing great. BTW I love students!

[EowynRN]

You sound way more enthusiastic than me on my first clincial - I was just scared. I had to do deep breathing exercises before I went in and said hi to the patient.

I would say just relax, make sure you take care of your patient first. The nice thing about being a student is you have time to spend with one patient, so they get the extra care and company since so many people lack support in the hospital setting. For instance, just being present and not rushing (like someone who has a long to-do list) probably went a long way with the patient you had to feed. So just relax, you sound like you're doing great, and focus on your patient and ask your RN if you can support her when you have free time.

[Stcroix, ASN, PhD, RN]

Yes, in my first semester of clinical, I was assigned to what I soon learned was a particularly difficult patient. The nurse going off at report told my nurse and myself how demanding she had been. My nurse then turned to me and winked, "she's gonna love you!" I wasn't sure what she meant. By the end of the shift I 'got it'. The demanding lady felt comforted and important by having someone to spend time with her. Believe me, I understand, the floor nurses have in no way enough time to give this level of attention. I just felt good that for that one day my patient was content, and was even thankful!