Hospital Clinicals

[doxielover304]

In my Nursing program, apparently hospital clinical's start in November (just 3 months after the program starts!!!!) I feel like that's very, very soon to be starting clinical's.. In November I'll still be doing Fundamentals! (Nursing 1101).

When does everyone else's program start doing clinical's??

Just curious to see how it varies among different programs. Thanks for all responses! :)

[doxielover304]

Thanks everyone for their great responses! I'm so glad I found this website way back. There are so many nice people on here! Thankful for that!! :)

[csmcj, BSN, RN]

First semester, we started clinicals in the 3rd week of classes (after we'd learned/been checked out on assessment and vital signs). We also learned med admin in the first semester, about 6 weeks in, but we weren't allowed to do that until after we'd been checked out. Each semester after the first, we've started clinicals the 1st or 2nd week of classes.

[ambitiousBSN]

I start my classes on August 28, and our clinical (for Fundamentals) begins 8-weeks later.

[NICUmiiki, DNP, NP]

Pre-nursing (CNA class required for acceptance): We had lab the first 6 weeks then had clinical at a nursing home.

Nursing: Had clinical in the hospital on week 2 for Health Assessment. There was only physical assessment and health history taking in that clinical though.

[twigszoo]

I start NS on August 26th I think (ha) and I have been told during orientation that clincials start anywhere from 1 week after the first day of class, to three. It varies each semester.

[nursek17]

Last year when I started we started clinical about 2-3 weeks in! They start you off pretty quick so you can get used to patient interactions and doing vital signs. Then second semester we started being able to administer medications after we passed med checks!

[ricksy]

We started one week in. You will be fine. It is all about "therapeutic communication" and vital signs. You won't sink. I promise.

[megan9107]

I just found out what unit I will be completing my preceptorship on today! The MICU. :) I am a little worried, but it should be a great learning experience.

[That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

We started about 4 weeks in.

[mssjez]

Our class started in clinical in October, 6 weeks of labs first. Don't worry. You will spend those 6 or 7 weeks learning and practicing everything you need to know for clinical. Once you get to clinical, you will be doing the basics; ADLs, assessments, po meds, injections, etc. You'll do it all with your instructor by your side :)

[whattodo4]

I assume during the clinical semester the first 4-5 weeks would probably be you training at the school how to do vitals, head toe assment etc... then you actually go to the clinical and perform on patients. I highly doubt that at week 1 you are going to see patients with no training.

[RN9742]

We started 4 weeks in, that said we only did very basic stuff our first few weeks. Mostly vitals, changing beds, helping with showers and other "CNA" type stuff. It was a great learning experience, and I really enjoyed getting to know my patients. Something we won't have as much time for when we become nurses.