Starting clinicals on Wednesday...I'm really nervous!!!

IEDave, ASN, CNA, LVN · Jun 23, 2012

Evening, maddiem:

First, try and keep in mind that you're in clinicals to learn, which means that by definition you will mess up occasionally - that's part of the learning process.

Second - did I mess up? Oh, yeah - first day I tried to give a breakfast to a patient on a G-tube (sometimes you do - this gent was NPO); he was just so woebegone looking when I had to take the breakfast back it just about broke my heart. Thankfully, he was allowed to eat before I finished clinicals, so I was able to give him his first solid food in about 3 weeks.

Third - do what you can to relax; the staff is aware that you're new, and they'll be keeping an eye on you whether you're aware of it or not.

Personally, I enjoyed my clinicals - it's a bit nerve wracking at first, but you'll get used to it quickly and probably learn quite a bit in the process.

Blessings,

Dave

animal1953 · Jun 23, 2012

Just relax!!! Take a deep breath!!!! Like Dave said clinicals are for you to learn hands on. You will have a staff CNA or LPN with you and they will let you know if you are doing something wrong. Everyone makes mistakes, just learn from them. I did my clinicals in LTC and ALF and worked with regular residents as well as dementia residents. Review you skills section in your book and remember to wash your hands and explain to the patient/resident what you are going to do.

Mike

Twinkle007, LVN, RN · Jun 23, 2012

ME TOOOOOO , I have my first clinicals on Wed and I am a bit anxious. My stethoscope sucks (I have Omron that costs 5 $online , cant hear anything or maybe my stet is good but I am bad at BP who knows, still learning) ;D

All the best

DreamChaser81 · Jun 29, 2012

Try and relax as much as possible. Remember the basics- Knock before entering a room, greet and introduce yourself. As far as your skills, you are not expected to know them all. I started by making unoccupied beds ,passing and collecting trays noting the input, along with passing water to the residents to get comfortable. Bring a small notepad and pen with you to take notes this helped me alot. Our clinicals were 12 hour shifts and we had the same hall each time so I got to know the residents well. Good luck and the main thing is to relax.

DreamChaser81 · Jun 29, 2012

ME TOOOOOO , I have my first clinicals on Wed and I am a bit anxious. My stethoscope sucks (I have Omron that costs 5 $online , cant hear anything or maybe my stet is good but I am bad at BP who knows, still learning) ;D
All the best

Don't feel bad, I paid $30 online and it didn't work, luckily my mother had an extra one from LPN school years ago :)

maddiem · Jun 30, 2012

Thanks everyone for the advice. My clinical went fairly well. I made and unoccupied bed, gave a partial bed bath, shaved a resident, fed a resident, gave oral care, and did nail care as well. It just took me a while to get used to being "assertive" and confident in what I was doing. I found out that a lot of what I was doing was mostly just common sense. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to study for skills testing??

Twinkle007, LVN, RN · Jul 4, 2012

maybe flashcards with skills ?!

maddiem · Jul 4, 2012

That's what I was thinking...Not sure how else I'd study except for practicing on family members. I have my second clinical on Thursday. Still nervous about the whole thing but my first one went pretty well.