How can I stand out at clinicals?

icuRNmaggie, BSN, RN · Dec 31, 2014

Eventually someone will ask you what kind of nursing interests you the most. The you can disclose a little about yourself and say "I would love to work in a unit like this one someday." You may hear in passing conversation about a new opening for UAP. Ask if they would consider a nursing student for the position and who you should approach. Leave that person a voicemail and prepare a cover letter and resume in an envelope addressed to that person. Good luck!

Lev, MSN, RN, NP · Dec 31, 2014

If you really stand out and get along well with the staff, it wouldn't hurt to leave your resume with the nurse manager toward the end of clinical and see if she'd consider taking you on as a student nurse or cna.

futurenurse2be · Dec 31, 2014

Thank you, again. All good comments and such wisdom as usual! I will definitely try these. I do have my CNA certification through the state and I think I will ask later in the clinical if they have any openings. With my CNA and my first year of nursing school ending at that point, hopefully it works out.

CVeyeseeyou · Jan 1, 2015

You got this!

CVeyeseeyou · Jan 1, 2015

Answer bells, don't be late, put away the cell phone. ask questions. It's not really about being a know it all.You can mention your previous degree but acting like you are superior will not come across well. Showing that you are a hard worker and someone they will want to work with will go a long way.

Well said.

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Jan 1, 2015

This is how I stood out. I was told last semester by the facility I was at, that I was the best student that had ever been there. The girls pulled me aside on my last day and told me how much they would miss me. And I got to do a lot of procedures that the other students didn't.

Jump in right away. The first couple of weeks will seem awkward because you are learning and getting to know everyone. Don't be shy. I attached myself to several CNAs the first couple of weeks and just asked what can I do to help you? Everyone got to know me. I helped with absolutely everything. Plus, I talked to everyone. I got to know them as people. Then they don't see you as a stranger in their facility.

Don't cop an attitude. Some people are going to think that you think you are better than them because you are a RN student. It's not easy to get into RN school. Many people have tried but can't get in. Let them know you are learning and are there to help them and that they can teach you. Use your psychology knowledge in this. I put myself in their shoes. I gained their respect quickly.

Be kind and caring towards your patients. I was in a LTC facility. We had to shower most of those people ourselves because they couldn't do it anymore. I knew if it was me, I would be humiliated having complete strangers showering me, seeing me naked, and sitting on a chair with a hole in it to have a bm in. I treated each person with the utmost respect. They chose their shower temp., I explained what I was doing and why before I did it, I washed gently and lotioned them up thoroughly explaining why and how. I brushed their hair gently and blew dry it. I genuinely cared about every person there.

Learn about the nurses and talk to them. Ask them questions. Offer to help in any way possible.

Have a positive attitude, smile, listen, look professional, and be on time. Be prepared if you have a med pass.

I had a wonderful experience where I was. I didn't think I would like being at a LTC facility, but really I did. I learned so much from those people and they were will to teach me.

zeusandapollo · Jan 1, 2015

THIS is the best suggestion I've heard so far. This is EXACTLY what I and my colleagues did DURING nursing school. work prn/pt as an aide at the hospitals you are doing your clinicals in, YOU WILL BE SEEN!