Most important thing as a student nurse.

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · Mar 18, 2017

Show up on time with your pre-clinical work (if assigned) done. Be engaged, be professional, and look for opportunities to help/learn. If you're partnered with a nurse on the floor, introduce yourself. Let them know where you are in school, which patients you are assigned and what tasks you're planning on/allowed to do. Example: Good morning. My name is Double-Helix, I'm a second year nursing student from X College and I'm assigned to Mr. Jones today. This is my first clinical, so I will be doing his vital signs and ADLs. We are not passing any medications but I can document his vitals and I&O. Do you mind if I observe while you get report on Mr. Jones? Please let me know if there is anything I can help you with today or if you're doing anything that you think I would benefit from observing. I appreciate your time."

HeySis, BSN, RN · Mar 18, 2017

I expect them to be on time and professional. To let me know what they can and can't do and to be teachable!!! Biggest pet peeve is someone that thinks they know it all already (They have observed nurses on their own unit as a CNA and feel like they already know how to be a nurse and are just waiting for that piece of paper)

Yes, please introduce yourself. If theres something your allowed to do and have been wanting to try, let me know. I'll see if I can find you that experience, but I'll expect that you can verbalize everything you're going to do before you try on my patient.

Also find out when is a good time to ask questions or for explanations. Some nurses will let you do that at the bedside, in other areas it needs to wait until you're a.) not within earshot of the patient, b.) the nurse has finished so she is distraction free, c.) back at the nurses station so she isn't taking time/attention from the patient.

Be willing to help, that may mean grabbing linen's or a patient a drink. You may feel it's grunt work... but it's part of what I do everyday, and if you do a few of those things you can do, you'll free me up to teach/show you more.

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Mar 18, 2017

The two posters above have given great advice. My only things to add would be:

Leave your phone in the car so you're not even tempted.

Don't hide.

Alto22 · Mar 18, 2017

Do you think you want your student to make suggestions on their plan of care for your pts and then you determine whether this plan of care is appropriate or is it enough for the student to relay pt information and then you decide what to do. I'm in a medicine unit and sometimes I fee like I don't give that much inputabout what to do with the pt and just follow the nurse instructions which is necessarily not a bad thing because I'm still a student and need guidance but I feel like I'm not critically thinking enough. What do you think hope I made sense

Libby1987 · Mar 18, 2017

Be teachable and know how to read and respond to the environment, everything else then falls into place.

Libby1987 · Mar 18, 2017

Do you think you want your student to make suggestions on their plan of care for your pts and then you determine whether this plan of care is appropriate or is it enough for the student to relay pt information and then you decide what to do. I'm in a medicine unit and sometimes I fee like I don't give that much inputabout what to do with the pt and just follow the nurse instructions which is necessarily not a bad thing because I'm still a student and need guidance but I feel like I'm not critically thinking enough. What do you think hope I made sense

You should definitely show engagement and demonstrate your critical thinking, however again with reading the environment. Time your sharing in terms of both when and amount.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Mar 18, 2017

As a preceptor, my favorite students were the ones who sought every opportunity to learn and practice new skills. They were intellectually curious and asked frequent questions, soaking up knowledge like sponges. I loved teaching them and was so proud of them when the light bulb came on and they "got it". :)

TriciaJ, RN · Mar 18, 2017

Demonstrate that you're willing to use your brain, your legs and your hands. Don't try to "prove" to me that you know something I don't because you already had the class on that. Don't blurt out questions in report, or at the bedside. Wait until you have a private moment with your preceptor.

If you want to make suggestions or demonstrate critical thinking, you can ask "Would it be a good idea to...?" If it is a good idea, they'll be impressed with you. If it isn't, they'll explain why and you'll learn something.

If you're already thinking ahead about how to get the most out of clinical, then you're half-way there. Good luck!

Mustlovecats · Mar 19, 2017

Ask questions! If you are unsure of something, do not be afraid to ask. This is number one.

Take opportunities to learn. Don't let yourself fade into the background. Once you have seen something done once or twice, attempt it yourself. With an experienced Nurse or instructor near by, of course. If a nurse offers to show you how to do something, watch.

Now is the time to absorb every bit of knowledge you can. Take advantage of it!

Alto22 · Mar 19, 2017

Demonstrate that you're willing to use your brain, your legs and your hands. Don't try to "prove" to me that you know something I don't because you already had the class on that. Don't blurt out questions in report, or at the bedside. Wait until you have a private moment with your preceptor.
If you want to make suggestions or demonstrate critical thinking, you can ask "Would it be a good idea to...?" If it is a good idea, they'll be impressed with you. If it isn't, they'll explain why and you'll learn something.
If you're already thinking ahead about how to get the most out of clinical, then you're half-way there. Good luck!

Thank you. I'm halfway through my medicine rotation :)!

Alto22 · Mar 19, 2017

Ask questions! If you are unsure of something, do not be afraid to ask. This is number one.
Take opportunities to learn. Don't let yourself fade into the background. Once you have seen something done once or twice, attempt it yourself. With an experienced Nurse or instructor near by, of course. If a nurse offers to show you how to do something, watch.
Now is the time to absorb every bit of knowledge you can. Take advantage of it!

I agree. Have o really get the most out of clinicals. Thanks for the input!