Tips on Choosing First Patient

[zTracks]

I'm finally giving care for my first patient next week in clinicals after passing the skills test on injections/meds, hygiene, physical assessments, transferring patients, and all the fundamentals. We are pre-planning the day before and I was wondering if anyone had some tips on choosing a patient to care for. Thanks :)

[turnforthenurse, MSN, NP]

LOL, we NEVER got to choose our patients---the CI's assigned them to us, always

I think I got to choose my patient once. Otherwise our CI's always chose them for us, too!

[KR14CCRN]

I'm finally giving care for my first patient next week in clinicals after passing the skills test on injections/meds, hygiene, physical assessments, transferring patients, and all the fundamentals. We are pre-planning the day before and I was wondering if anyone had some tips on choosing a patient to care for. Thanks :)

It really depends on the type of unit you will be working on. I think that you will have new experiences no matter which patient you choose since it is your first. I usually have my new nurses start out with someone simple just to get comfortable. I would be sure that you have a patient that actually has something for you to do, like give meds or prepare for surgery, etc... Otherwise you could get bored. I always found it helpful to ask my fellow students what's going on with their patients and if they may need help. You could share experiences that way and support each other. It shows your instructor that you are a team player. (You will need recommendations from your clinical instructors when you apply for your first job!). Good Luck!

[BlueEyedGuy]

First semester? you want to pick the c. diff patient for sure. Get your gown on, and get right in there! It's time to nurse!

[beckyboo1, BSN, RN]

I would think the instructors would pick the patients. I mean really, how does a first time student have any idea what the ideal first pt is?

[JaeLaw23]

My first clinical starts this week. I am so excited!!! Like one of the previous comments--I know the "book" stuff... it's the one-on-one that has me shaking!!! BUT I am going to dive in head first (it's the only way to de-sensitze).

My clinical instructor made an interesting point I am going to try; she said "pick a nurse, not a patient". She said if we pick a nurse that doesn't want a student following them we won't get much out of our experience. She also said to ask the charge nurse his/her opinion for a good patient choice... Not sure this will work but I'm going to give her advice a try. Good luck!

[Spiffyness]

GL :)