Question-Please answer!

[Anisa.Lee]

Hi, I'm a new nursing student. My first round of clinicals will be in a nursing home, I was wondering if anyone had some advice?

[sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN]

Be on time,

appear interested

offer to be of assistance

your clinical experiences are a great marketing program for potential job market after graduation.

best wishes

[guest114]

Probably going to be a little boring but get what you can. Once your on the floor there's no going back to "I'm a student ". Ask questions ! Lots and any you can think of. Look through charts, get familiar with the paper work, 24 hour reports ..

[pixierose, BSN, RN]

My first clinical rotation was in a nursing home, and my best piece of advice: know your CNA's! They are worth their weight in gold in regards to their feedback and advice in regards to direct, hands-on patient care.

[Julius Seizure]

bring all the supplies that they told you to have, plus an extra pen

have your hair tied back and the uniform code followed exactly

be 10 minutes early...5 at the bare minimum

look for opportunities to participate

speak with the residents - theres not much you can actually do yet, but you can get used to interacting with patients

[APRN., DNP, RN, APRN, NP]

Read the syllabus and know what is expected of you. By far and large, being able to meet the expectations in the syllabus is your focus for this semester. If you don't quite understand what is meant by a word, or a phrase, or you do not what something means.......ASK!!! Speak up. More than likely, if you are questioning something, then others are wondering about the same thing.

[CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN]

All of the above!!!

It has been years since I did clinical in a nursing home but I have years of experience in the nursing home :)

If you have free time..buddy up with a CNA. You will help them and they will help you!! Just watching them and how they interact with the residents you will learn a ton. For most students this can be your first time to practice on real patients the skills you have been learning. Basic vitals and assessments..learning how to interact and interview patients and the baiscs like transfering someome from a chair to a bed, walking with someome with a walker, basic adls....then there is the med passes!

Lots to learn, just be open to learning and ask questions!!

[Jay bee]

Look into their eyes.

Tell the residents what you will be doing to them - elicit their cooperation.

Never impose yourself on them if they refuse.

You are still a stranger in their world.

You are in their home.

Protect their privacy.

Close the door.

Pull the drape.

Don't yell.

They may need more time than your time.

Never rush.

Anticipate moves. Needs.

Ask for help if you are not sure.

Sometimes our elders are as frail as butterflies.

If they smell bad or appear unclean - it is not because they are old.

It is because of the care they have not been given.

Case by case basis.

Wash your hands.

Never touch your face.

MRSA is common.

Remember universal precautions.

People will be who they are no matter what their age or infirmity.

Respect that.

And enjoy this experience.

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

Boring? Chest tubes, PICC lines, Mid Lines, BIPAPs and CPAPS, clysis, flash pulmonary edema...and that's all on one shift. No time to be bored. Soak up all you can, ask questions and help the staff. Good luck

[Hoosier_RN, MSN]

Most of all, don't act as if LTC experience is beneath you. I see too many students standing around, yawning, sighing, texting, and hiding in the breakroom with their buddies talking (happens all rotations, regardless of specialty, really). Be actively interested and you will learn something that will help you, regardless of where you end up once you get your license. I guarantee it! The elderly is the largest group of healthcare consumers, and knowing multiple approaches to their various issues will serve you well in the future.