Let’s talk Nursing School Clinicals!
OK, so you’ve made it into Nursing School (congrats!) or you’re thinking about applying soon. Did you know that a large portion of every program consists of something called clinicals? Clinical instruction is where you get to put what you’ve learned into practice, in actual patient care settings. When I was first accepted into nursing school, I didn’t really give them much thought. I honestly had no idea what to even expect, and I kind of went into the program blind, just figuring everything out along the way. So if you’re here as someone who’s thinking of applying to nursing school, I applaud you for being proactive. It wasn’t until my first clinical day that I realized just how valuable this part of any nursing program is. And I’m here to share with you how to make the most of your experience.
On my first ever day of clinical, I had the most amazing day. I connected with my patients, I was able to perform nursing tasks (albeit small ones, like giving a bed bath or checking a blood sugar), but I was SO excited to be doing them! I felt like a real nurse, something that seemed like it was in the far-off distance until then. It felt like I was one step closer to fulfilling my dream of becoming a nurse. Now I won’t lie, while I was feeling all of those awesome things, I was also feeling like an imposter. Almost like I didn’t belong. I didn’t feel ready yet, I was just a girl wearing scrubs pretending to be a nurse. It is definitely a strange and surreal feeling, but you have to push past those thoughts.
Move Beyond Imposter Syndrome
Everyone has a first time for everything. While this very well may be the first time ever that you’re inserting a catheter or starting an IV, your patient doesn’t know that (and they don’t need to know!). Every nurse has gone through their firsts, but as long as you keep an air of confidence in yourself- in the things that you’ve learned and your newly acquired skills, your patients will never know. When you make a mistake, which you will eventually, you try again. You ask for help. You seek guidance from a more experienced nurse. These things are invaluable to your education and your path to becoming a competent nurse.
Observe Everything
Clinicals are your opportunity to be a sponge and to observe how the clinical setting runs first hand. Whether you are in a hospital, acute care setting, long term care facility, or community setting, be present in the moment. Listen to what your clinical instructor has to say in the morning before you part ways. Take note of the things he or she wants you to focus on for the day and keep that in mind as you make your way to your assigned area.
When you link up with your nurse for the day, truly be their shadow. Actively listen in as they take report, watch how they pull their meds, introduce yourself alongside them as the two of you round with your patients, and observe how they prepare for and carry out their daily tasks. All of these things will help you connect textbook knowledge with real life experience. You will also see what it’s like to be a nurse in that patient care setting. However, be an active participant, not just an observer on the sidelines.
Seize Every Opportunity
When you arrive each day for your nursing school clinicals, take every opportunity possible to try new things. If you are assigned a patient and they have a procedure scheduled that day, ask if you can tag along to observe. If your patient has an order for something that you have learned how to do and is within your scope, ask if you can be the one to perform the task and ask your clinical instructor observe you. These experiences are so important, and that’s what clinicals are for! Don’t just be a bystander.
When I was in nursing school, I was given the opportunity to observe in the OR simply because I asked if I could. It was on the day when we were assigned the Pre-Op/PACU area. Other students sat in Pre-Op the entire day watching patients come and go because they didn’t even think to ask otherwise. I was proactive in asking as soon as I learned a patient was being prepped for surgery that morning and it’s become one of the days I will never forget (that’s a whole other hilarious story, maybe I’ll explain in another blogpost one day! :-P). There are so many opportunities like this that you can take, if you just take the initiative.
Find a Friend Group
Embracing the buddy system is a must in nursing school clinicals. Not only will your friends provide social, emotional and mental support, you will also have the knowledge and experience of other nursing students who are in the same boat as you.
If you find yourself with some down time, help out a fellow student. You never know what you can learn or teach in those moments. Plus, next time you need a favor you’ll probably have a set of helping hands! True story: I helped a classmate give her C.diff patient a bed bath and linen change in my very first clinical rotation. That same classmate ended up becoming one of the bridesmaids in my wedding and we are still great friends to this day. We always joke that we formed our strong bond on that day. You never know the connections that you’ll make, so remain open to the opportunities.
Having a buddy will also allow you to share the load during unexpected events. You can handle the surprises of nursing clinical together and you don’t have to be alone!
Come Prepared
Read up on the types of diagnoses you will be encountering on your clinical rotation before you begin. Bring your Drug Guide Book and add tabs to the common medications used to treat them.
This was extremely helpful for me when I was going through nursing school clinicals. It helped me become more familiar with the most commonly used medications. This was beneficial not only during class for my exams, but also in the real world once I started my first nursing job. I highly recommend doing this!
Once you’ve rounded with the nurse you are shadowing with in the morning, ask questions if there’s something you are unfamiliar with. If you have a minute of downtime, sit down and read up on anything you want to learn more about. Being proactive in your own learning is one of the most important aspects of not only getting through nursing school, but also being a competent nurse.
Take Notes + Use Your Resources
Depending on your nursing program and clinical instructor’s preferences, you may be required to carry a notebook or folder containing your paperwork for the day during your nursing school clinicals. Even if you’re not required to, however, I highly suggest bringing one anyway to take notes in throughout the day. I recommend this clipboard that can be folded up to fit in your scrub pocket. I used mine to write down codes to open doors, patient information, highlights from report, and to keep track of updates throughout each shift. You can also use it to jot down notes on any new procedures or illnesses you might run into during your shift like I discussed before.
Practice Healthy Habits
Go to bed early the night before a clinical day so that you show up well rested to your shift. Also, make sure you eat a healthy breakfast in the morning. It’s important to fuel your body properly so that you can have a successful and productive clinical day. If you don’t like eating breakfast, at least make yourself a smoothie. You’ll thank me later, trust me! I suggest bringing a water bottle with you as well to stay hydrated. I like this one by Owala which will keep your water cold all day long. I also recommend a hydration multiplier like Liquid IV to help give you that extra boost on those long days.
What was your nursing school clinical experience like? Comment below the best piece of advice you learned from clinicals!
Want to know more about how to be successful in nursing school? Check out my other blogpost here.
