Starting my first clinical semester, nervous!

RNstudent1021 · Jan 3, 2015

Congratulations on getting accepted!! The first semester is exciting and hard! My advice is to stay calm and try not to get overwhelmed. You are about to have a lot of information thrown at you and it will seem impossible, but it's not! You got in and that is already a huge accomplishment! Stay on top of your reading and your due dates. Utilize any resources that come with your textbooks and get a nclex book and start doing questions now! Try to do some nclex questions everyday, this will help you get used to the questions on your tests. Nursing classes and exams are very different than any pre req class or exam you have taken. But if you study hard, you can make good grades in nursing too! My advice for clinical is to first be prepared. If there are any skills that you think you might be performing, review those the night before. Also, be confident and don't be afraid to get in there. Clinical instructors love it when a student is willing and excited to participate no matter what the task is. Good luck and have fun! Your first step to becoming a nurse, this is exciting!

cocoa_puff · Jan 3, 2015

My advice is to start practicing NCLEX style questions now, even if you don't understand the context of the question. I recommend Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN Examination, it is a wonderful way to review content and practice NCLEX style questions. I did this before my first semester, and I had no problem with the NCLEX style questions on my school's tests. Best of luck to you!

catgal · Jan 3, 2015

I will take that advice about starting to study NCLEX questions! Thank you!!

Eman A · Jan 3, 2015

As for the NCLEX style questions, always always go for your first answer if you're stuck between two!! I learned this the hard way. Ask lots and lots of questions during clinicals, and take them as an opportunity for learning bit by bit with patience. Good luck!!

jaluo2014 · Jan 4, 2015

For your clinical, remember to carry all the necessary reference books i.e. drug book, diagnostic lab book, Physical examination & health assessment book (we used Jarvis text) any good care plan book recommended by your program ( I used Sparks and Taylor'd 9th edition ISBN 9781451187014 this book helped me with my care plan and I strongly encouraged any nursing student to get it).

During clinical, remember your instructor is the boss, do not do anything/or any med administration without approval, always ask the instructor if you don't understand any procedure. For any procedure you have mastered, do it with passion. Be professional to Nurses and the CNAs in the facility. My instructor would ask these nurses and CNAs about my professionalism and how I handle/communicate with residents.

If there is opportunity for TB skin test, Cath change, SubQ or any injections, tube feeding, and minor wound care, offer yourself to do it. Get your reference books for example if you were to prepare and inject insulin, find out the type of insulin to be injected, is it being mixed or not. Check with your drug book. Instructors love to see students looking up for information from the book and asking questions.

That's how I ended up with an A. I hope this helps

vopoku · Jan 4, 2015

Clinicals are easy! The exams are what you should worry about so take the advise from this thread and practice NCLEX questions. Saunders is a great way to get a good start. My advice learn how to deal with stress because it will happen. Get some stress relieving tips- sometimes it's the anxiety that gets you not your knowledge.