Making Notecards for Clinicals?

[kahne#1]

Hey everyone!!

I'm in my first semester and last week we had our first clinical. I felt like there were people who knew/remembered so much more than me and I kind of freaked out. I was thinking of making notecards from my reading to help me out when I'm at the hospital with things like where to listen to breath sounds, how long to listen for bowel sounds, how to give certain shots, etc. Is this a good idea?

Thanks!!

[BacktotheBeach, ADN, BSN, RN]

I think so, or get one of those clipboards with all kinds of info on it. I used lots of info in my clinicals to refresh myself.

I made notecards for charting. My instructor was super critical of our narrative charting. So I made notecards of what to chart for different situations I might encounter. I put them on a key ring holder so I could flip through. It fit nicely in my pocket. After I started doing this, she thought my charting was great and I learned really well what to say and how to say it.

[Emilynn09]

Get two little spiral books and keep them on your person while in clinical: RNotes, and MedNotes. I love them both, and they've been super helpful to me.

[Dazglue, ADN, BSN, MSN, RN]

If I were you I would just purchase RN Notes. It's small and fits right in your pocket. Contains all of your basic info from assesment, to vital sounds, to med adminstration...etc. Or if you learn best by writing then there is nothing wrong with making note cards for clincal.

[njgrl622]

I agree with the above poster.....RNotes - Nurse's Clinical Pocket Guide. It's a huge help and you can write on the pages with a ballpoint pen then wipe them clean with alcohol. I paid about $20 for it.

Good Luck!

[BacktotheBeach, ADN, BSN, RN]

The RN notes series is also available for use on Phones and Ipods. I got mine through Skyscape.

[chinacatSN]

The RN notes series is also available for use on Phones and Ipods. I got mine through Skyscape.

Just an FYI - OP (or anyone else): so you don't spend money on something you can't use or to avoid getting in trouble - many instructors frown upon or don't allow cell phones or devices like iPods on the clinical floor - not only is it a privacy issue (you could easily take photos of patients or procedures) but it's also a distraction issue - how can the instructor be sure that you aren't texting or playing a game?

We're allowed to keep our phones/iPods in our room (usually sites provide up with a small room or space) and we can sneak in there to look things up, but not while on the floor. It you need to look things up while on the floor, RN Notes or note cards are a better idea.

[NCLaura]

We're working on an ortho floor and I was thinking of doing something similar for care planning. I.E. generic NDx for TKA and THA NIC & NOC for diarrhea and constipation, etc. I am one of those people who learn by writing!

[Emilynn09]

how can the instructor be sure that you aren't texting or playing a game?

The OP should ask his/her clinical instructor, every instructor I've had so far has wanted us to keep our phones in our pockets so we can text her or receive texts about going to lunch, post conference, etc.

Photos are unacceptable, and so far I've encountered an honor system where you are expected to refrain from texting anyone for any other reason other than as it pertains to the clinical that day.

However, my school policy states NO PHONES, but I've always had clinical instructors tell the group to hang onto phones so we can get in touch with them.