My first clinical is soon, any advice?

Alex_RN2b09 · Mar 13, 2008

Keep your chin up, stay on the ball and HANG ON!

Alex_RN2b09 · Mar 13, 2008

In all seriousness much of a clinical experience depends on how your learning styles meshes with the instructor. I found the hands off throw you in the room style to be very empowering. They showed me that I could do it with a little kick in the behind to start. Confidence is worth it's weight in gold, you'll have better patient and co-worker relationships, and most of all you will respect yourself. Because at the end of the day you can say I made it, I did my job and was safe, competent and compassionate. I wish you the best of luck, we all make mistakes so don't take things too hard even if you mess up.

Dorito, ASN, RN · Mar 13, 2008

Just try to be yourself. Your patient won't bite so try to strike up a conversation with them. It will put you both at ease. Don't forget your sense of humor. Best of Luck....you'll do fine. Some of my funniest stories happened when I was in nursing school. :)

ladylikeRN · Mar 13, 2008

Just to add to what others have said, the day in the life of an actual clinical....I would come prepared with a small notepad to write patient report on and their drugs. Have a drug guide, stethoscope, nurse scissors, measure tape (for wounds or anything else that needs to be measured), 2 black pens, and 2 small pocket books that I used throughout nursing clinical called RNNotes/MedsurgNotes by Ehren Meyers. Just be prepared for anything that that clinical instructor asks you for. Most times in clinical, the instructor wants you to do a care plan at some point, so a care plan book by Swearingen (All-in-One) would be nice, along with as sheet to write labs on. As far as your drug guide, be prepared to tell the instructor the indication, side effects, contraindications, and interactions for each drug..the good thing is that you can use the small notebook to write them down as many of the patients will be on the same drugs on a day-to-day basis. Just have a bag dedicated for your clinical because the last thing that you want is to do is appear unprepared in the instructor's eyes.

Good luck!

Agnus · Mar 13, 2008

I'm very scared, and I've been told my clinical director is a 'throw you in the room and learn it the hard way' person. I would love to hear some advice, and have an idea of what to expect.

You have already been taught in class or lab what you need to do. you already know more than the patient though at this point it may not be much.

Ask yourself from my education so far what do I know about this situation and act on it. If you find you need more information before you can safely act then ask. Maybe you need more information from the pt., or his nurse, or the chart, or your instructor. Don't ask the nurse what the pt can tell you. Don't use your instructor if it is information that should be in the chart. Don't ask the instructor when it is information that is specific to this patient. Ask the right people the right question.

Use the nursing process. Start by gathering information and asses it before forming a plan of action. Then act.

OklaLPN · Mar 13, 2008

I remember my clinicals...scared to death...LOL. These are some things I can think of.

1. Find out who will be your nurse for your patient and listen to report given. Write down questions at this time. Don't interrupt staff while giving report. (Learned this the hard way...LOL). Know the CNA's. They are the eyes and ears of the floor. I learned sooooo much from a superb CNA.

2. Don't be afraid to touch your patient!!! THis can make a great difference.

3. Offer to help...don't just sit at the nurse's station. Ask questions!!! Most of the nurses that taught me were there because they had volunteered to take students. They wanted us to succeed.

4. Make sure you know the lab values and meds of your patient. Had an instructor that would send us home if we screwed this up.

5. Oh one more things...keep the gum out of your mouth and your cell phone turned off!!

Let me know how you do. Please believe me, you will do just great. We have all been there, done that and we got the t-shirt to prove it!!!

OklaLPN

femmefatale · Mar 13, 2008

I am done with my nursing school in may and one of the things that I could tell you from my many clinical days is to prepare well the night before. Know the meds you will give and how they will interact together as well as with the patient and why you are giving them. also know what your day will somewhat be like. We used to have to plan and write down what we would be doing like every hour or so because the instructor wanted us to plan our day as well as anticipate changes that could come up. I thought that was a good idea for a newbie. It does get easier. Just take deep breaths and know that you can learn from anyone around you. Always ask questions. Good luck.

meezer1234 · Mar 13, 2008

thank you so much!

geoffreyg · Mar 14, 2008

Good luck! You'll be fine. I am a nursing assistant in LTC and in nursing school (clinicals starting in May). You will likely feel overwhelmed at some point, but one skill that gets thrown on you is you learn to stay calm and thing clearly and logically in the midst of chaos. You learn that even with 10 things in short-term memory, block them out, prioritize, and focus on the task at hand.

gagezoie · Mar 14, 2008

i only have one thing to add to what the others have said

never say i don't know, say i will look that up for you.

no matter who asks you the question (instructor, dr., family, patient, etc)

tell them you will find out it makes them see you as more competent and friendly.

good luck:)

eccentricRN · Mar 14, 2008

My biggest tip from I believe one of my instructors was to act confident. Even if you are a cowering shaking little leave inside try to appear confident, especially in front of the patient. Now, I don't mean pretend to know it all, like a previous poster said never say I don't know, but if you don't know tell them you will do whatever it takes to find the answer & do so. Clinical can be nerve wracking at times, but ensure you're well prepared & take a moment to think before you act & you'll be fine!! Good Luck!!!!