So I have a clinical in the ER

bamagt · Mar 16, 2009

Eat lunch before you go.

MikeyBSN · Mar 16, 2009

Eat lunch before you go.

I agree :up:

OregonGal · Mar 16, 2009

Cool ! Enjoy it !

Calibean · Mar 16, 2009

Take your lab test results book, do anything they will let you (catheters, removing IV's etc.) observe and if really busy, write down your questions and ask after everything is over. Good luck!

ThrowEdNurse, BSN, RN · Mar 16, 2009

Don't be judgemental of the nurses. What they teach you in school is not like in real life. It's like driver's ed. Do you really drive with your hands at 10 and 2? Well neither do the nurses. Save any opinions about how things should be done or about how you would do things for when you pass boards, then you can be Sally good nurse. Also, just be willing to do whatever. Even the sucky stuff. The snobby student nurse who obviously doesn't want to even be asked to do the bedpan duty won't get the good opportunities for cool procedures, it will be the willing, helpful ones.

Displaced · Mar 16, 2009

Jump in with both feet, ask to do anything and everything you can.

MikeyBSN · Mar 16, 2009

Jump in and do vital signs on patients as they come in. Ask the techs what you can help with as well. Ask them to show you how to do EKG's and accuchecks. Like thrownurse said, don't tell us how you would do our job. We do everything for a reason.

Crocuta, RN · Mar 16, 2009

Don't be a wallflower. Make sure you're in rooms where you can get a good view. I've seen too many student nurses come through recently either sitting at the desk, or heading in the other direction when something scary looking shows up. Don't think that if you happen to be standing there when the ca-ca hits the fan that anyone is going to be upset that you don't know what to do. Put on gloves and say to whoever is in charge "What can I do?" Here's a tip: You're BLS certified, at least. Volunteer to do compressions. You don't get any closer to the good stuff than that. If you're lucky enough to be with someone who really likes having a student around, you'll get a great experience. If you don't, or the experience is less than organized, it's up to you to make it the best experience you can. Just ask the busiest looking nurse, or the one with the sickest looking patient if you can follow them for a while.

Hope you have a great time!

ladymedik · Mar 16, 2009

don't be judgemental of the nurses. what they teach you in school is not like in real life. it's like driver's ed. do you really drive with your hands at 10 and 2? well neither do the nurses. save any opinions about how things should be done or about how you would do things for when you pass boards, then you can be sally good nurse. also, just be willing to do whatever. even the sucky stuff. the snobby student nurse who obviously doesn't want to even be asked to do the bedpan duty won't get the good opportunities for cool procedures, it will be the willing, helpful ones.

totally agree!!!! it will hardly ever be what you learn in school. the basic priciples are the same, the learning points are the same, but the way things are sone are different. were a comfortable pair of shoes, be prepared to move from a hurt toe to a brain bleed in the span of seconds. it's a wild ride, so hold on!! :nurse:

FlyingScot, RN · Mar 16, 2009

If someone asks you a question and you don't know the answer just say "I don't know, will you explain it to me". Don't get ***** and think "that nurse is being sooo mean". What she is doing is challenging you to think quickly and critically (like an ER nurse). Not knowing the answer isn't the problem...being unwilling to learn is. Look up the following drugs before going to clinical (but don't go crazy with memorizing them);

Epinephrine

Atropine

Sodium Bicarb

Dopamine

Levophed

Propofol

Vecuronium/Rocuronium

Succynilcholine

Diltiazem

Lopressor

Integrilin

Reopro

Lasix

These are the drugs you will use with critical patients. Just be familiar with them so when they get ordered you understand why.

Go into the rooms with the stinky patients and help clean them up. Ask questions!!!!! Lots of them. The more you show a willingness to learn the more the nurses will be willing to teach and you will have an awesome experience.

azhiker96, BSN, RN · Mar 16, 2009

I agree with everything posted and would add just a little. You are there to learn, not to teach them. If they do something that is different from what you've been taught, just watch and learn. Ask why it's done that way but don't belabor the point. ERs are very efficient at handling large numbers of people and identifying those who need critical interventions. The best way to learn is by doing. Volunteer to start IVs, draw labs, clean up patients, take vitals etc. I loved my clinic in the ER. I traded food for blood with an addict who initially refused the blood draw, learned to draw labs with my IV start, learned to do EKGs, and got to start many IVs.