Sammy19

For me, clinicals are the hardest part of nursing school. I always feel like I am in the nurse's way. However, I have found that I can help them by showing that I am willing to help and offering. I answer call lights and get water for their patients. If I help them, they are more likely to take the time to help me. One thing that is important is when you get to the hospital, get with your nurse and introduce yourself. Tell her what you can and can't do. If they won't answer your questions or give you any help, call your instructor and have her assist you. I have said some really dumb things and my instructor says she's going to make a book with all the funny things students say! Don't worry, I'm sure they laugh at everyone. I'm sure I'm in her book more than once. Don't give up, just keep trying and study hard.

I am third semester nursing student and I may have accidentally done a HIPPA violation today, but please tell me if you think it is bad enough to get me in trouble. I was doing post partum care today at the hospital, and yesterday I did Labor and Delivery. After clinical was over, I got my coat and my bag and started to leave. I got my phone and saw that I had a text that my friend's water had broken and was heading to the hospital. I was really excited so I headed back to the nurse's station on the Labor and Delivery floor to see if she was there yet. I went into the back room and told the nurse I was looking to see if my friend had gotten here yet. I looked at the board with all the names on it and their labor stage and the nurse asked me my friend's name. I told her and she said, "No, she's not here." I then realized that I should only be looking at that information if it is for the purpose of patient care, not if I am checking on a friend! I am really worried now that I might get in trouble for this! What does anyone think?