6 weeks into school we start clinicals! How on earth

RKpianoman, APRN · Jul 30, 2011

On your first day, they issue you a full 5-point racing harness to strap yourself into your seat. After that, it's full speed ahead! They'll cram you full of knowledge like you've never been crammed before. Also, the first several weeks of clinicals are usually just basic patient care and health assessments; no medicines, treatments, or procedures generally.

CaptScrubs13 · Jul 30, 2011

Not to worry! Our program is similar ... well, kind of... we have 1 full year of Chem/A&P and the like, then during the second year, fall semester, we did Health Assessment + Lab, and Fundamentals for our core nursing classes. That was the first "real" nursing class we had been in. I believe we started clinicals after 2-3 weeks!

It was all VERY basic pt care.. head to toe assessments, vital signs, bed baths, etc. We did lots of observing, and writing notes. No med passing until the following semester. I believe the most "difficult" or invasive thing we ever did was some wound care, but it was mostly our instructor, letting us do bits and pieces along the way.

Then during Med Surg is when things got heavier .. med calculations and drug exams, passing meds, doing more with our patients independently, etc.

You will be fine! Good luck & enjoy the ride

elkpark · Jul 30, 2011

In my hospital-based diploma school many years ago, we started clinicals much quicker than six weeks into the program -- I think it was the second or third week of school. However, we started out just doing "beds & baths," VS, and other pretty basic care, and assessments. We couldn't do anything in clinical, on a real person, until we had been checked off on the skill in clinical by our instructors (demonstrated that we could do it correctly and safely).

I know it seems really scary, but remember that, even though this is all new to you, the school has (presumably) been doing this for a long time, and they know what they're doing.

Best wishes for your journey! :balloons:

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Jul 30, 2011

Six weeks yikes. We were in the hospital on week 2 or 3 i think.

ashleyisawesome, BSN, RN · Jul 30, 2011

we started 2nd week.. but dont worry they are not going to have you hanging IVs and giving injections right away.. youll be doing vitals, am care and some feeds and filling out paperwork for your instructors.

CBsMommy · Jul 30, 2011

My program was something like 6 weeks and we were giving meds po. Don't worry, it will be closely supervised! But mostly, we were doing basic patient care.

BacktotheBeach, ADN, BSN, RN · Jul 30, 2011

We started about week 2 or 3. It is really amazing how they start you out so slow, gradually adding skills. I think a lot of it at first is getting you comfortable with patient care, talking to patients etc. Lots of time was spent on total body assessments. You will be fine! By week 6 we were passing meds and doing tube feeds.

greenfiremajick · Jul 30, 2011

Is that safe:uhoh3:? I am cracking up that I will really be off and running so quickly! This is mighty exciting! Started my reading and I am ready to go!

We start ours at 8 weeks, in.....

Mike R, ADN, BSN, RN · Jul 30, 2011

We started on the second week. Albeit it was just ADL's and the like.

Unknown member · Jul 30, 2011

The first week we had 2 days in the lab to learn basic skills. The 2nd week we were full blown LNAs on our own, thrown right into it! I had no experience at all and it freaked me out, but most of my patient were 100% dependent so I had no time to worry. I just did it amazingly~!l haha We also gave meds, did treatments, and the like but only with the instructor present. We also had lab once a week to continue learning skillls so we'd be prepared in clinical.

Lifeofanurse · Jul 31, 2011

I know it seems fast but just remember what they tell you as far as what your 'scope' is at this point. We started rounding w/ the Techs...learning basics, beds, baths, feeding, elimination assistance (diapering). After a few weeks we got to do more....vitals, assessing and things of that nature...it's a gradual process. Keep in mind the nurses your working with don't know what your limitations are ...they WILL ask you to do things that you can't do....be assertive and say so. If you do something your not qualified to do even if you are sure you have the ability...you will more than likely get kicked out of school. Listen to your instructors...they are your guides for what is okay and not okay to do...no matter what anyone else says.