My First Clinical Nursing Experience

Today on the blog, Osmosis Nursing Student Ambassador (ONSA) Nishtha Patel shares her experiences in clinicals. Her words of wisdom can help you understand what to expect, and how to approach this big step with confidence!

One thing that comes to mind when you decide to go to nursing school is those exciting but scary clinicals.

Every nursing student who is about to start their clinicals has some common questions in their mind. Questions like, What can I do to be prepared? How can I make the most of my clinical experience? And what does a typical 12-hour shift look like?

No worries—I got your back. I will tell you everything that will help you ace your clinicals.

Starting with what to do before, during, and after clinicals.

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Before clinical

1. Buy the handy tools that will help you succeed in your clinicals. Penlight, stethoscope, a pocket diary, some nursing cue cards, and access to Nurse’s Pocket Guide.
   
   
2. Be prepared. Make sure you do your reading and research for your clinicals. For example, I was working in the telemetry unit, which means that most of the patients on the unit were admitted because of a stroke or a previous stroke. Knowing the pathophysiology of stroke and making the drug card for common medications used on the telemetry unit is one way to be prepared. Consider watching videos on Osmosis.org to review for your clinicals, like Stroke: Nursing Process (ADPIE), Stroke: Clinical Practice, and Ischemic Stroke.
   
   
3. Master your skills. It is important to become proficient at your skill. Practice head-to-toe assessment, vital sign, and pain assessment. Osmosis has the best notes and videos on vital signs (Introduction to Vital Signs: Clinical Skills) that not only talks about how to take V.S. but also when and how often you should take V.S.
   
   
4. Get organized. Make an organizational plan that includes your PT: Initials, medical diagnosis, past medical history, any allergies, code status, and their medications.

During clinical

I am a firm believer of “the first impression is the last impression.” Introduce yourself to the staff. While you introduce yourself, include your scope of practice. As a first year student, I am not allowed to do suctioning or IV. But, I can do nonparenteral medication administration.

Here are some other helpful tips to remember during clinical:

1. Teamwork is dream work. I always believed that healthcare is all about teamwork. Be present and useful to your team.
   
   
2. Have a positive and open mind. If you feel something is wrong or you have a gut feeling about something, trust your intuition. Always be ready to learn new things. I am not saying to be like me who would skip a break in order to learn new skills. DON’T DO THAT!

One thing that will help you to pass your clinical with flying colors is by impressing your staff nurse and preceptor. Now, how would you do that? Be polite and kind. Be an active listener, and react positively to negative feedback. The second is to be a hard worker. Show them you really want to learn.

After clinical

1. Relax. The most important thing is to stop for a moment and take deep breaths.
   
   
2. Reflect. Reflect on what went well and what you could have done better and how.

What does a typical 12-hour shift look like?

06:45-07:00→ Introduction to the staff nurse and TOA

07:00-08:00→ Introduction to patient→ Vital sign and pain assessment→ Head-to-toe assessment → Bathing and dressing

08:00-09:00→ Assist with breakfast and medication administration

09:00-11:00 → Physical therapy, followed by occupational therapy

11:00-12:00→ Afternoon medication administration

12:00-13:00→ Assist with lunch

13:00-15:00 → Answer call bell and catch up with charting

16:00-16:30→ Assist with snacks and answer the call bell

16:30-17:00→ Last time check your PT. And give TOA to staff nurse

17:30-18:45 → Post conference; Good time to reflect.

All the best for your clinical! YOU GOT THIS!

Nishtha Patel is from Ontario Canada. She’s in her second year of nursing at Conestoga College and wants to be an oncology nurse. Some of her hobbies are reading books, watching movies, listening to music, and volunteering. Right now she is reading I Wasn’t Strong Like This When I Started Out: True Stories of Becoming a Nurse.

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