Tips for a nursing student starting clinical placements

mrsboots87 · Sep 18, 2014

For your first clinical rotation you will likely be paired with CNAs and not do a whole lot of "nurse" stuff. At least at first. The first semester is for learning basic care, assessments, and medication safety. So when you show up introduce yourself to the nurse and cna staff. In block one, I always asked the nurse if there were any procedures or "cool" things they would be doing that day (wound care, foleys, and so on). Then I would let both the nurse and the CNAs know that I am willing to help wherever they need me BUT I need to get my assessment done as soon as possible and tell them of any other things I have been told are my goals for the day from my instructor. I usually went to my patient at that point, or if they were eating then I waited until after, and did my assessment on them. Then I would chit chat with the patient for a little, then go out and meet my CNA for the day and help them with whatever. If you make yourself available, they will use you. I would do basic care, linen changes, bed baths, regular showers, help with toileting, changing residents, and I would always periodically check in with the nurse to see if I could help them. And of course I would pass my patients meds with my instructor whenever she was available.

Basically, make yourself available and when you find yourself with nothing to do, as the staff what they need help with or answer calls. When all else fails, go to your patient and chat with them. There are so many patients and so few staff, that most of the time they love when you just sit and talk with them. And staff love when you help with call bells and assist with the more time consuming tasks. GL and have fun.