Whats the scoop on clinicals?

mauxtav8r · Dec 20, 2007

Two additional points not yet mentioned in this thread:

You can and should learn something from everyone you meet (lab techs, CNA's, nurses, secretaries, docs). THANK THEM for their help. You will see them again.

Also, remember that nursing is a team sport and your clinical group is your team. You will form relationships that will last a lifetime (FOR BETTER OR WORSE) during the next four months. These are your future colleagues, so don't wait until they are your boss or vice versa to try and be nice to each other.

Your school will prepare you for what you will be graded on, but my nursing instructors also evaluated stuff like "leadership skills" "teamwork" and "willingness to help", so keep that in mind.

I'MIV · Dec 20, 2007

Make sure that your instructor is aware of the things that you do so that they can check you off as having accomplished that skill. I just finished with my first semester of clinical and when it was time to review my progression, I commented that I had done this or that and she said that I may have done so but she was not there to observe the procedure so I did not get the credit. I will be calling on the instructor every ten minutes this semester coming up to assure that I have her there to see what I do in order to get the credit and check off. One note that I found helpful is to ask the patient for their permission for you to perform any procedure and make sure to apologize if it is going to hurt them. They will be a little more forgiving toward you. Thank them for allowing you to learn with their help. If it were not for them, where would you be? Good luck and have fun. I'MIV:typing

prinsessa · Dec 20, 2007

I was scared of clinicals but by the end I felt pretty sure of myself. Giving an injection for the first time was scary but exciting at the same time. Don't be afraid to speak up or ask questions. There are no stupid questions. Other people might think they are common sense but remember that you are learning. It is better to ask a question than make a mistake. I always asked questions if I wasn't sure about something. Good luck! Just take a deep breath before walking into a patients room for the first time. Most pts don't mind student nurses. And if a pt (or doctor, CNA, nurse, etc) is mean to you don't take it personally. It is probably just their personality.

aparsonsmomof3 · Dec 20, 2007

IMO don't stay in the shadow. If something new comes up volunteer for it. Your instructor should be there with you. Usually your 1st clinical with be in and LTC/SNF and you will be doing the basics (more cna like stuff). As the clinicals go on they will get more challeging. I think clinicals is what you make of it. If you take the easy way out hiding when something needs to be done (there were these students in my class) you will not walk away with much. Good Luck you will do wonderful!!!!!!!!!

I am also starting my first semester of the local ADN program in January. I am so excited about clinicals I'm about ready to burst. I can't wait to bathe a patient or clean up poo or vomit! I know that may sound strange, but it's all new and exiting for me.

But, one question...what is an LTC/SNF? During orientation, our Nursing Director said that our first clinical would probably be in a nursing home...is that the same thing?

I've been on this forum for a few weeks and I am having the best time. You people are the best. I want to thank you all for making this nerve racking time enjoyable for me.

Bessings to all and Happy Holidays!!

SusanKathleen, RN · Dec 20, 2007

To aparsonsmomof3:

LTC is long term facility

SNF is skilled nursing facility

lvnandmomx3 · Dec 20, 2007

But, one question...what is an LTC/SNF? During orientation, our Nursing Director said that our first clinical would probably be in a nursing home...is that the same thing?

LTC- long term care

SNF-skilled nursing facility

Yes they both are nursing home, just another name for them. Skilled nursing I believe is the immidiate step down to Sub-acute and then long term care is a step down from there.

aparsonsmomof3 · Dec 20, 2007

Thanks for letting me know this. Now one more thing. My niece who is an RN told me that every classmate of hers had passed out at one point or another during their clinicals. She said that it was a particular smell or sight or sound that did it in for her class. For her is was observing a C-Section. Then another time, a patient vomited on her and she ran away and hid in a closet at the hopital. She said it was a horrible experience.

Is this a pretty common occurance? I'm a little nervous about doing something like that. I don't want to fall out in front of a patient and scare them half to death. My problem would probably be gagging. I'm a big gagger and I usually gag because of a particular sound. I hear a sound and visualize that sound...then it's off to gagging. How in the world do you control something like that?

vaileheart · Dec 20, 2007

[ What program are you in btw?

Thanks for the post!!

I am going into a 12 month long accelerated program, I'll get my BSN.

S.N. Visit, BSN, RN · Dec 20, 2007

Thanks for letting me know this. Now one more thing. My niece who is an RN told me that every classmate of hers had passed out at one point or another during their clinicals. She said that it was a particular smell or sight or sound that did it in for her class. For her is was observing a C-Section. Then another time, a patient vomited on her and she ran away and hid in a closet at the hopital. She said it was a horrible experience.
Is this a pretty common occurance? I'm a little nervous about doing something like that. I don't want to fall out in front of a patient and scare them half to death. My problem would probably be gagging. I'm a big gagger and I usually gag because of a particular sound. I hear a sound and visualize that sound...then it's off to gagging. How in the world do you control something like that?

[ What program are you in btw?

I've never passed out, but have smelled some horrible, horrible things. I just try to hold my breath, or exhale by blowing the offensive smell away, ( without the pt. seeing or hearing what I'm doing). It also helps to have peppermint in your mouth!

As for the gagging, sorry...have no advice there. haha If you gag, you certainly won't be the first! I guess, just excuse your self from the situation will be the only thing you could do.

aparsonsmomof3 · Dec 20, 2007

Thanks for the info. Smells don't offend me, neither do disgusting sights. It's the sounds that do me in everytime. Like the little suction tube the dentist puts in your mouth...that will start me gagging every time. I think I'm real sensitive to sounds! I have never talked to anyone that control their gag reflex.

So how would you excuse yourself. When you feel the gag coming on just say "Excuse me a minute, please." and walk away. Can you do that as a nursing student or even as a nurse for that matter?

mauxtav8r · Dec 20, 2007

So how would you excuse yourself. When you feel the gag coming on just say "Excuse me a minute, please." and walk away. Can you do that as a nursing student or even as a nurse for that matter?

Yes. Chin up. Soldier on. "I'll be right back"

lvnandmomx3 · Dec 21, 2007

No one passed out in any of my clinicals. I did almost pass out but it had nothing to do with clinical it was middle of summer no ac in the SNF and I was dehydrated so I started getting fuzzy and a classmate saw this and walked me to chair. I was fine after a tall glass of cold water.

We did have a girl during our 1st level that was a drama queen and made it known that the "place" smelled she would walk around snuffing a vick stick all day. And was it a funny site seeing her change a boo-boo pt....... I kinda wish she would have made it to level 3 when we had to give Go-lytle (sp*)....lol