Ideas for a clinical "cheat sheet" ?

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I am in the process of putting together a clinical "cheat sheet" for my first semester students. What information would you have loved to have had in a miniature booklet for clinicals? So far, I have:

normal vitals by age range

normal labs for adults

ABG info (trying to make it something they will use in later semesters)

mini skills review cards (injections, NG tubes, cath, etc)

small map of the floor they will be working on

helpful facility phone numbers

objectives for that rotation

my cell phone number

Any other suggestions??

Thanks for sharing that information. I'm going to print it off for myself and several other students.

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That's a nice resource you've created for your students! I made my own as a student by buying a spiral bound set of 4x6 notecards and wrote out everything myself that I thought was important as we learned about it or post conferenced about it in clinicals. It was very valuable to me to make it myself. It's a work in progress. I have one more semester to go and plan to add to it over Christmas break. Your resource will have a lot of information available for students at a glance without them taking the time to create one themselves.

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anything for 2nd semester students? (med surg?)

or can we still use the same list you have on page 2?

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Thank you so much.

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Education.

For med surg, I would add in a few basic rhythm strips, and maybe some of the more common classes of meds, for example:

olol = beta blocker. Then I would list mechanism of action, major s/e, etc.

I made this on publisher if anyone is curious. You just pick "business cards" and the template that best matches your needs. I used 4x6 index card, but you could use 3x5 or any size you prefer. In publisher, it's really easy to just put the specified type of paper in to print, but unfortunately I had to convert this to a pdf format to upload it. The easiest solution might be to print it on cardstock and laminate it so it's more durable. One good thing about laminating is you can then write on it :)

As many have said, the little spiral bound RN notes is fabulous, and of course, it is also much more comprehensive than this. Maybe one day I will hit the lottery and buy one for each of my students, that would be great!! I keep hoping they will make a version of it in the itunes store, but no luck yet.

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As many have said, the little spiral bound RN notes is fabulous, and of course, it is also much more comprehensive than this. Maybe one day I will hit the lottery and buy one for each of my students, that would be great!! I keep hoping they will make a version of it in the itunes store, but no luck yet.

Not sure if this is what you're looking for, but Skyscape has a version for the iPhone/iTouch.

http://www.skyscape.com/estore/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductId=1824

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I took a look at your cheat sheet and I want to say that your students are very, very fortunate to have someone who cares enough to take the time and do this...for them. You would be any student's dream instructor. May your clinical students appreciate you and what you are doing for them as much as we, on this thread, have...Thank you

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Education.

Thanks again for the kind words. And thanks so much for the link to skyscape!!! I've been stalking itunes for RN notes to tell the students and never thought to look at skyscape. Love this site :heartbeat

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Just another "Wow, wish I'd had your for first semester!" I would have loved to have had this resource then! And I'm still planning on printing it now as a new grad, just to have in case. ;) Thank you so much for taking the time to upload it for all of us.

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Specializes in Cardiac, Derm, OB.

small spiral bound called "rn pdq" (isbn# 9780323051897)has everything. just add map.

some info included:

procedures

vs - all

meds/iv

labs

emergency ecg

ob

pedi

geri

patient teaching

facts.....ect

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Specializes in Cardiac, Derm, OB.

Eventhough, I love, love my PDQ I really like your "cheat sheet" for 1st semester and agree with everyone about how awesome an instructor this makes you. Wish more instructors were like you! Seriously, wish I had one for this final semester I am about to start for Advanced Med Surg and Psych!

Thank you for your input for students!:bow::anpom:

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Specializes in GI/ Peds?OB.

Way cool, what a great caring instructor!!!! Can I get a copy of that to use to? Thanks!

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