Help with clinicals needed

Hi everyone,

I am looking for any general tips and tricks to being able to safely care for more than 1 patient during clinicals. I would appreciate if you could share your routines/ time management tips that you use to care for multiple patients and still pass your meds on time. Currently, I am struggling with two patients in clinical. Not sure what I can do differently. I think part of my problem is that I do really comprehensive assessments to make sure I get all info I need, but i don't know how to make that part faster. Everything seems important. Usually I am talking with the patients and writing down abnormalities so I don't forget but this seems to take forever. By the time I am even done with one patient, is almost 8 am, and time for meds and i haven't even gotten to my second patient yet. Last week I got so overwhelmed I had a breakdown in clinical. I would prefer not to have to go through this again. Please help, I appreciate your responses in advance.

If you're a student, you really should be directing these questions to your instructor(s). Actual nursing is very different from school, and expectations may vary by clinical instructor.

I have a printout that I keep with me when I'm at clinical and I find it EXTREMELY helpful. I just go down the list and check off all the stuff I need to do in chronological order. Example:

Quick Prep: Admitting Dx, History, Meds...

Report: Listen in on report during change of shift.

Communicate: Tell your RN what you are in charge of (assessment, shift screening like fall risk, braden), PO Meds or wtv, and FSBG)

Begin: Do a mini focused assessment with a set of vitals on both patients and if they have diabetes, get that blood sugar before breakfast.

Meds: Do your insulin with your scheduled meds.

ADL, Hygiene, Linens: After meds help with peri care, oral hygiene, new linens, wtv

Head 2 Toe: Do a full physical on your pts.

Chart/Research your pt's medical record: You now have a fresh set of vitals including FSBG, already passed morning Meds, AND done your head 2 toe which tells you a ton about your pts. Now just chart everything you can right then and there and if you miss something get to it later (aka cluster care) when you're in the rooms.

2nd Vitals: second set and blood sugar before lunch and maybe get any other random things out of the way like helping pass out meals or wtv idk

Report Off!

Hopefully this helps a bit, and even if it doesn't just know no matter how prepared you are it takes time. You're a student and you're learning! You got this!