Surviving Clinicals

donsterRN, ASN, BSN · Sep 14, 2007

Keeping organized is the answer to most of my school dilemmas. I live out of a planner anyway, but I really use it to stay on track with school. I keep it open on my desk at home and carry a portable one in my bookbag. It keeps me on target for reading and writing assignments as well as planning for tests and quizzes.

Good luck to you!

09RN · Sep 15, 2007

I'm freaking out a little ... amound other things ( ERI, and math test)..... How did you survive it and what do you suggest

Hey there Indie! Hows it going?? Im surving my first full week of tests and validations. Its crazy isnt it? I feel like I just study all the time going from one test to the next.

When do you start clinicals?? I start in Oct and will be going to Shelby Baptist. I cant wait! I think that will be the best part.

Remember to just take it one test at a time.

Stef

indieflower · Sep 15, 2007

It's going ok... Still adjusting i guess. We have taking one test for each class. I guess the part that scares me the most is the nursing process. I know what it is, and what it includes. But we are suppose to do them for clinicals. And I am freaking out about doing them correctly. B/c if we don't then it's an F

09RN · Sep 15, 2007

I have had 3 tests plus a vitals validation this past week. We have a test for each module. :uhoh3: I have 2 more for this Monady that Im just now starting to look at. As far as clincials go. What do you mean by you have to foollow the nursing process or you'll get a F ?? We were told that they arent going to make us do anything by ourself that we will have a partner with us and our instructor will be right by our side. Mostly we will be doing baths, taking vitals the first few times and if we are lucky we might get to do an injection here or there. Mostly doing sugar checks on dibetics. I have no worries about the clinicals. I have heard from my friends one semester ahead tell me that that was the best part of the semester.

All the studying and test are getting me burnt out. Every weekend Im here studying while my family is out having fun.

Good luck this semester!

indieflower · Sep 15, 2007

I have had 3 tests plus a vitals validation this past week. We have a test for each module. I have 2 more for this Monady that Im just now starting to look at. As far as clincials go. What do you mean by you have to foollow the nursing process or you'll get a F ?? We were told that they arent going to make us do anything by ourself that we will have a partner with us and our instructor will be right by our side. Mostly we will be doing baths, taking vitals the first few times and if we are lucky we might get to do an injection here or there. Mostly doing sugar checks on dibetics. I have no worries about the clinicals. I have heard from my friends one semester ahead tell me that that was the best part of the semester.
Good luck this semester!

What school do you go to.... I'm at Jeff State. I don't know, maybe that's a possibility but a couple of us are confused by this process. What you stated sounds a little more logical. I actually look forward to clinicals for the interaction but that part scares me ( that's if I understood the teacher correctly)

09RN · Sep 15, 2007

What school do you go to.... I'm at Jeff State. I don't know, maybe that's a possibility but a couple of us are confused by this process. What you stated sounds a little more logical. I actually look forward to clinicals for the interaction but that part scares me ( that's if I understood the teacher correctly)

Im at Jeff State ( Shelby ). Where are you going for Clincials? And when do you start?

indieflower · Sep 15, 2007

I'm at the Pinson Campus, and we haven't found out where we will be doing clinicals, but I would think that we should be doing the same thing, since it's the same school.... But it's a different teacher though....

09RN · Sep 16, 2007

Im sure its should be similar if not the same. Have yall lost people yet? We have already down 7.

fronkey bean · Sep 16, 2007

Hey Indieflower. A little encouragement here from a clinical instructor. Don't let all the work freak you out! Don's advice was great, get a planner and break down all your assignments into reasonable daily portions leaving yourself a little time for downtime each day. You can't eat an elephant all in one meal, but you can eat it one bite at a time over time!

Your school is invested in seeing you succeed. They make money every semester you are there. Also, most of the teaching staff are nurses and most nurses tend to have a strong nurturing streak. Take advantage of it!! Ask questions, follow them and seek their help when appropriate. Don't be clingy but do make them aware that you value their input. They will be flattered that you value their input and impressed w/ your eagerness.

I always like the students who volunteer to do things and try to think through and answer questions even when they get the wrong answer. It shows they're trying to learn and understand.

Atl_John · Oct 7, 2007

I'm freaking out a little ... amound other things ( ERI, and math test)..... How did you survive it and what do you suggest

CHOCOLATE.....lots and lots of CHOCOLATE...works wonders, better than a Xanax, cheaper and you don't need a RX for it, comes in all sorts of colors and flavors but its always good and satisfying. :)

noraneka · Feb 19, 2009

Hello!

I'm a nursing student at LBCC right now, and I'm a first semester student.

From what I heard, as long as you remember the patient's safety ( putting the siderail up, bed at the lowest possible position, and wearing gloves), HIPPA, OBRA, and privacy, than you should do fine. And if the instructor is kind of hard on you, just remember not to take it personally. Just listen and pay attention to what's going around you. Also never just stand in 1 place doing nothing.

Finally try to do a study group with only 2-3 people in them. Try having a study group that supports you too.

That's all the advice that was given to me by other nursing students here.

I hope this helps