How to succeed in Clinicals for Nursing School
By Kirsten Anderson
During nursing school, some of your most memorable moments will come from your clinical rotations. These are the days when you get to work at local hospitals alongside experienced nurses. This experience helps you become accustomed to the clinical setting, enhance your communication skills with fellow professionals, and decide which nursing path you want to pursue after you graduate.
Struggling to meet your deadline?
Get your assignment on How to succeed in Clinicals for Nursing School done by certified MDs and PhDs in the USA. ORDER NOW!
In many nursing programs, you start your clinical rotations after the first one or two quarters and continue them until you graduate. That’s why it’s important to establish a routine for your clinical experience, as it’s a significant part of your nursing education.
I’ve put together a list of tips and important things to remember as you navigate through your clinical practice:
Don’t hesitate to ask questions. When appropriate, ask questions. Remember, you’re a student, and everyone knows that. Your purpose is to learn, so it’s completely fine not to know everything. Your nurse preceptor has been in your shoes before, so don’t worry about asking too many questions.
Embrace your mistakes. Mistakes are normal and offer opportunities to learn. While performing skills, always have the supervision of your precepting nurse. If a mistake occurs, be honest and rectify the situation to the best of your ability. Mistakes can lead to valuable lessons and growth. Clinical practice is the place to make mistakes and learn from them.
Be prepared. Gather the essentials in a bag for your twelve-hour clinical day. Some important items include your stethoscope, pens, clipboard, penlights, and a small notepad for notes. Check with your facility for any specific items they require.
Stay hydrated. Busy days can make you forget to drink water. Avoid going through your shift without proper hydration. Bring a large water bottle from home and set goals throughout the day to drink water.
Volunteer when possible. Experience is a great teacher. Offering to help with different tasks allows you to learn through hands-on practice. Volunteering demonstrates your commitment and passion to your colleagues and can even open doors for post-graduate opportunities.
Take notes. Writing down important details during patient interactions will aid you when filling out clinical paperwork. This practice also helps you relate what you’re learning in class to real-life situations. Remember to follow Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) guidelines and protect patient privacy.
I hope these tips assist you in excelling during your clinical experience and provide you with more confidence as you embark on your rotations. Remember, you’re in this to learn and gather valuable experience that will shape you as a future nurse and a better individual.
Five Tips from a Nursing Graduate
How to be Successful in Clinicals
In nursing school, some of your best memories will take place during your clinical rotations. When you have designated days to go to your local hospitals and work alongside all the nurses, you can adjust to the clinical setting, improve your interprofessional communication, and decide on what nursing path you want to pursue after graduating.
In most nursing programs, you will start clinical after the first one or two quarters; and then continue them until your graduation date. That said, it is crucial to develop a clinical routine as it is a massive part of your nursing school journey.
I have compiled a list of tips and things you will need to know and keep in mind as you go through clinical practice in your program:
- Ask questions. At appropriate times, do not be afraid to ask questions. Everyone knows you are a student. Meaning, you’re a work in progress. As a student, your purpose is to learn so don’t feel bad about not knowing a thing or two. Your nurse preceptor has been in your shoes before, so do not worry about being embarrassed about asking too many questions.
- Embrace your mistakes. Mistakes are bound to happen. As a student, take it as an opportunity to learn. It is always important to perform all skills with the supervision of your precepting nurse, but if a mistake were to happen, it is always important to be honest, and rectify your actions the best you can. Sometimes making a mistake can be the best way for you to become wiser and better. Remember that clinical practice is your place to make mistakes and question things. So, embrace and acknowledge it before you are a registered nurse!
- Learn to be equipped. Don’t forget the essentials. Prepare a bag equipped with everything you need to tackle the twelve (12) hours of the day. Some important things to bring are your stethoscope, pens, clipboard, penlights, and a pocket-sized notepad for notes. Make sure to check with your facility for the items that they allow.
- Stay hydrated. It is so easy to get carried away during a busy day and forget to drink your fluids. Nothing is worse than going on a shift without drinking water. I recommend bringing a large filled water bottle from your home and making goals throughout the day to drink it.
- Volunteer if you have the opportunity. As the saying goes, experience is the best teacher. Volunteering for different skills allows you to learn hands-on. Through involvement, you share your drive and passion with the people you are working with. This is also beneficial if you want to stand and show and potentially be a stepping stone for a post-graduate job.
- Take down notes. Jotting down various things while in the patient rooms will help you recall them when it’s time to fill out your clinical paperwork. It is also a great way to learn about specific conditions and relate them to what you may be learning in class. While doing this, make sure to follow Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) guidelines and avoid any patient identifiers.
I hope these tips help you succeed in clinical practice and make you a little more comfortable when beginning your rotations. Just remember that you are there to learn and gain beneficial experience to help you in your nursing journey. These experiences will shape you as a better person and as a nurse in the future.
Dont wait until the last minute.
Provide your requirements and let our native nursing writers deliver your assignments ASAP.