Just wondering if some of you who are in clinicals can describe what an average day was like. I know that it varies depending on the preceptor, facility, etc but just curious what you may be expected to do. Are you are supervised all the time or if you have time you are expected to utilize in ways that you think may expand in areas you know you need more info. on, are you in a group of students or assigned to 1:1 (nurse/student)? Are you expected to work on any assignments (care plans etc) or research during a clinical or is that strictly homework? What supplies do you provide and what does the hospital provide? I am not in nursing school yet, just doing prereqs but I know the schools I am applying to have clinicals from 6 to 3:30. Is that typical for most schools? Do you get a lunch hour, 30 mins, is it scheduled? How long do you usually stay on a particular floor? Basically just any info. you can provide I am interested in. Just trying to get a feel for it.
Also, this really doesn't relate to clinicals entirely but how many sets of scrubs do you normally get in n/s? Are expected to wear them on lecture/lab days also?
Why do students have to wear scrubs in school when they are working on manequins? I recently visited a NS and saw lots of students walking around in scrubs and was wondering what the purpose of wearing them is if they are in school and not a hospital.
Thanks for all the awesome info. It's is great to hear how you spend your days in clinical.
One more question...when you go into a patients room as a nursing student, how are you expected to introduce yourself? Are you a student nurse, training nurse? Just wondering what they have you say without freaking the patient out. I remember with my first child, a student came and the nurse told me she was a student and asked if it was ok if she practiced shaving and enema. I said that was fine, since it was my first baby, I was young, and didn't know I DIDN'T need it! Anyway, I still probably wouldn't have refused. This is the only experience I have had with a student nurse, except for our peds office but they usually just observe there.
Thanks for all the awesome info. It's is great to hear how you spend your days in clinical.
One more question...when you go into a patients room as a nursing student, how are you expected to introduce yourself? Are you a student nurse, training nurse? Just wondering what they have you say without freaking the patient out. I remember with my first child, a student came and the nurse told me she was a student and asked if it was ok if she practiced shaving and enema. I said that was fine, since it was my first baby, I was young, and didn't know I DIDN'T need it! Anyway, I still probably wouldn't have refused. This is the only experience I have had with a student nurse, except for our peds office but they usually just observe there.
I knock, go in and say, "Good morning Mr./Mrs./Ms. _____, my name is _____, I am a nursing student from ______ and I will be taking care of you today" or something along those lines. Make eye contact, smile, don't make it seem like you don't want to be there and don't be shy! If there are communication boards, make sure you you write your name on it so your patient won't forget.
Even in critical care units when patients are heavily sedated, I always go in an introduce myself because patients can still hear. I also always tell them what I am doing (such as telling the patient I am going to shine a light in their eyes to check their pupils, etc).
Nepenthe Sea
585 Posts
It is still considered a clinical setting.