I'm starting clinicals...

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · Dec 10, 2008

Come on time. Before you administer any meds, make sure you know everything about them. Don't do anything unless you're instructor knows about it... Um, those are just the basics. Just make sure you come prepared with your supplies and etc. Hope this helps ! and good luck.

bootsnpearls · Dec 10, 2008

Remember that we all had to go through it, and we made it. So just relax, take a breather, and have confidence in yourself. And really try to get your hands dirty. Be the first to volunteer for anything, even if the task might seem daunting, you will learn that way.

lifesacomedy · Dec 10, 2008

Be on time. (get used to 'on time' meaning 10-15 minutes early)

Come over-prepared (spend the few extra bucks to have the resources you need to make school make more sense.)

Follow dress code. (white shoes? all white...not with blue on them, not a little bit of mesh or canvas...again, spend the few extra bucks to do it right...you'll save yourself the stress in the long run of having a instructor question whether or not you can follow simple directions.)

Do your reading. (not everything will be covered in lecture/lab and you will be amazed by the sheer volume of information on the tests. it will behoove you to do your reading)

Do not gossip. (just don't. it won't get you any closer to your goals. your cohort is small. word travels fast. you won't be able to be friends with everyone, and that is fine. at least have the decency to be professional.)

Learn QUICKLY how to take the tests. (in all honesty, the first test will probably freak you out. you'll see what I mean after you take it. but use this as a kick in the pants, not something to get you down. use the CD's in the front and back of your books, even if you've never used them in your other classes. buy yourself a NCLEX study book with CD and start doing a few questions each week. these tests will be a very real deciding factor in the grades you receive through nursing school. learn quickly how to master them.

HAVE FUN!!! you are learning an amazing trade, an entire new skill set, and this is the beginning of an amazing profession! Do not forget to have fun and enjoy these moments!

You're on your way to being a :nurse: NURSE! :nurse: Best of luck!

Altered · Dec 12, 2008

most important thing is to find the right nurse

next, find a patient who doesn't have 40 meds and speaks your language

don't be late

bring your stethoscope, pen light, scissors, and name tag at all times

fold a piece of paper rather than using a clipboard

brings extra pens

be back on time from your break

bring money for lunch and leave other valuables in the car or at home

get the phone number of everyone in your clinical group

have someone call you if you have a hard time waking up

buy and pda & put your drug guide on it, if you have the money

hope this helps :up:

J9G2008 · Dec 12, 2008

The thing to remember is this, because I spent way too long at the beginning of the semester all freaked out:

They're gonna teach you EVERYTHING you need to know. Be a sponge, read the material, but don't get all caught up in self-doubt. You will not give an injection til you've done it in lab, nor meds, nor even bathing. It's all good. Enjoy yourself, and have fun.

malestudentnurse · Dec 12, 2008

I am also staring clinicals this semester. (starting in January). Thanks for all the advice from those of you who have been through it.

MissGwen · Dec 14, 2008

"Come over-prepared (spend the few extra bucks to have the resources you need to make school make more sense.)"

What are the extra resources? I sure would like to know about that! I am going to try to get my hands on everything I can that will help.

Thank you,

G

greysanatomyfan · Dec 14, 2008

"Come over-prepared (spend the few extra bucks to have the resources you need to make school make more sense.)"
What are the extra resources? I sure would like to know about that! I am going to try to get my hands on everything I can that will help.
Thank you,
G

For clinicals my friend bought this book called "All in One care planning" and it was really helpful. Also if you can afford a PDA with the drug guide and other nursing books on it, get it, it really helps. My clincial instructor was really helpful to give us resources for upcoming test, so don't be afraid to ask them if they have any advice on the stuff you are covering. Read as much as you can about everything. I watched tons of videos on YouTube on skills and it helped me a lot if you are the type of learner who has to see it before you get it. Good Luck!!

RNDreamer · Dec 14, 2008

Make friends with the nurses, techs, etc. Let them know that they can call you over to watch or help out with ANYTHING, whether it boring or not. Pretty soon, you will get to see/experience alot more than you expected.

chele44 · Dec 15, 2008

Don't be nervous about meeting your patients. Talk to them, get to know them. They will most likely be willing to tell you everything about them and what they've been through.

Get good at doing your head to toe assessments. Do an assessment everytime you enter your patients room.

If your patient's nurse isn't the friendliest, make her/him talk to you. Ask questions, get a good report. They may not volunteer info, but they can't deny you if you ask direct questions.

whiteoleander5 · Dec 15, 2008

most important thing is to find the right nurse
next, find a patient who doesn't have 40 meds and speaks your language
don't be late
don't be late
don't be late
bring your stethoscope, pen light, scissors, and name tag at all times
fold a piece of paper rather than using a clipboard
brings extra pens
be back on time from your break
bring money for lunch and leave other valuables in the car or at home
get the phone number of everyone in your clinical group
have someone call you if you have a hard time waking up
buy and pda & put your drug guide on it, if you have the money
hope this helps

wow, breaks?... we're not allowed to have those. thankfully, my instructor thought that was ridiculous so we ended clinical a little earlier, but the school insisted on no breaks. which doesnt make sense, because if we were nurses right now and working, we would get breaks.... but apparently not as students. they would rather us just pass out from starvation and thirst. i cant tell you how many times my fellow nursing students and i have snuck into the pantry to share a gingerale... lol. oh, the memories.

i dont know whats going to happen when i get to the 10 hour days... still no breaks?... im going to be running into the bathroom to shove a granola bar down my throat. *sigh*... :eek: