Help with clinical placements!

[Idontknowwhattodo]

I've recently started working on a ward and sometimes I'm left on my own and I don't know what to do. I feel like if I'm standing around then people are judging me and think I'm doing nothing. I feel Out of my comfort zone and I'm a very shy person anyway and I don't have much confidence so I find it hard to get involved. Does anyone have any advice on how to deal with clinical placements and how to show the staff that I'm enthusiastic about working there and that I want to learn. And what do I do about being left alone all the time and if I have nothing to do what types of things should I try to do.

[Despareux]

Ask a nurse if you can shadow him/her. Or ask if there is something they can show you that you haven't learned yet. You can be shy on your own time, but during clinical and when you do get into the workforce, being shy could end up being costly to your patients.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

agreewith above post. Also, compare your assessment with the licensed nurse's assessment. Ask to listen to hearts, lungs, etc when nurse is at bedside so you can compare findings. Review labs with licensed nurse. Try to predict why MD would order this or that,then confirm with nurse. Try to make friends with at least ONE nurse and tell them you are shy but are willing to do whatever is needed to gain confidence and ask for help. People like to help.