What to expect first year clinicals?

missninaRN · Apr 10, 2008

It's always good to know what is expected of you before clinical so that you can plan your agenda.

My first clinicals were in a LTC facility and lasted all of 5 hours. My agenda looked like this:

7:00 Get report.
7:15 Take Vitals. Assess Patient. Assist pt with bathing/elimination/dressing/etc.
8:00 Pass breakfast tray or escort to dining room. Assist with meal as needed.
9:00 Change linens if not done with bath. Complete unfinished ADLs. Check briefs and turn if immobile.
9:30-11:30 Do treatments that I was allowed to perform or observe/assist nurse. Interview client for care plan assignment. Accompany to PT/OT, etc. Check briefs and turn at 11:00 if immobile.
11:30 Pass lunch tray or escort to dining room. Assist with meal as needed.
12:00 Report off.

It's always good to ask the aids if there is anything you can do to help. I also liked to tell the nurses that I was interested in seeing/helping with anything they had the time to show me.

I don't think I ever actually followed my agenda as it was written, it seemed like something always came up that took longer than I thought it would, but at least I had an idea of what needed to be done. Looking back, I'm smiling at the idea of taking just one patient but running behind!

LMRN10 · Apr 10, 2008

Let's see. In clinicals we have done:

Occupied Bed change

Partial Bath

Hygiene/Oral Care

Meds (including injections)

Vitals

Head to Toe assessment

Sexual History

Nutrition

Sleep

Wound Care

Surgical & Medical Asepis

And we'll be doing a few more before clinicals end in a few weeks.

Basically what we do is this. I have lab Thursday nights, so we'll go over our Lab stuff and she'll show us how to do it and we practice and then on Monday when we have clincials, we'll go to the hospital and have to complete a care plan that has to do with what we learned on Thursday. We can do anything else we learned previous to that, but our main focus is to complete all the necessary questions to complete our care plans so we can turn them in. It will make much more sense to you when you start...I was so confused and nervous before I started because I had no clue what a care plan was and many other things...but you learn it all along the way!

Acosmo27 · Apr 25, 2008

Hi everyone, just wanted to know if anyone cares to share what exactly you did in your first year ( semester) in clinicals? All details are appreciated! I start Aug 19 with clinicals and am trying to be mentally prepared for what will be coming my way!
TIA!

Hii! Well, I just finished my first year of nursing school.. and boy was it a roller coaster! Basically here it goes::

1st semester: it was my clinical instructors 1st semester teaching. HORRIBLE! she was smart but not a very good teacher.. but luckily in the first semester its very basic.. only one patient.. alot of ADLs, basic meds, basic procedures.. you are dipping your toes into the waters of nursing so to speak..

2nd semester: You start to expand your skill set..we took 2 pts, which helped us develop time management skills.. start focusing on the rationale behind everything you do, understand the reason why lab values are abnormal on pts, rationale behind all the meds your pts are taking.. etc.. )

You will do fine, just be a sponge and soak up everything, and pray for a good clinical instructor!!

emetcal1 · Apr 25, 2008

I really had a hard time adjusting in clinicals my first time, but now that I am a senior, I have really stepped into being a true caretaker of my patient(s).

First of all, don't be overwhelmed. Don't let you or any staff underestimate you as a student as many hospitals will be annoyed with students (but they have been in the same position as you!).

Second, assessments are not as hard as you think. Look at your patient's diagnosis. That is your most important part of your assessment (that is WHY they are in the hospital). For example, if it is a patient with a head injury, accurate neuro checks are vital. A patient with a GI problem, on the otherhand, will need a neuro check, but not as often and not as in depth.

Another thing, ask nurses around you as many questions as possible (because your instructor will not always be by your side or even accessible). Some nurses are not friendly, but after a while, WHO CARES! Bother them until they realize you both are caring for the patient...and no question is a dumb question.

I hope this helps!!

BabySweetpea · Apr 28, 2008

You can expect psychological warfare!! As well as expect tears, nervousness, excitement, gag reflex, bags under your eyes and so much more....

(as well as what everyone else said).

:yeah: Sorry but one of us had to say it!!!! :chuckle

coffee&milk · Jan 20, 2010

I have read useful info from your posts. My first clinicals will be next week on Thursday!

coffee&milk · Jun 9, 2010

Hii! Well, I just finished my first year of nursing school.. and boy was it a roller coaster! Basically here it goes::
1st semester: it was my clinical instructors 1st semester teaching. HORRIBLE! she was smart but not a very good teacher.. but luckily in the first semester its very basic.. only one patient.. alot of ADLs, basic meds, basic procedures.. you are dipping your toes into the waters of nursing so to speak..
2nd semester: You start to expand your skill set..we took 2 pts, which helped us develop time management skills.. start focusing on the rationale behind everything you do, understand the reason why lab values are abnormal on pts, rationale behind all the meds your pts are taking.. etc.. )
You will do fine, just be a sponge and soak up everything, and pray for a good clinical instructor!!

Done with 1st semester. Will now utilize the info for 2nd semester. Thanks for sharing.