Tip for Making the Most Out of Nursing School Clinicals

Nursing is a career where most of your first experience will come from learning and doing things. Clinical is a time to study and practice as much as possible, acquire confidence in your abilities, and believe you can face and overcome the difficulty of being a nurse. Despite your fears and anxiety, your nursing school clinical is where all the hard work you had put into your studies and labs will begin to pay off. Here are some tips for making the most out of nursing school clinicals.

Learn how to document

Knowing how to document is an essential skill for every nurse. From writing notes to recording hourly activities, being efficient in the nursing school clinicals will put you up for success in the field. While it might seem tedious, documenting is essential since it can save you if you get to go to court.

Actively engage in pre-and post-conferences

Engaging in pre-and post-conference will help you review what you have learned during the clinical sessions. It will allow you to discuss with your preceptor what you have acquired and where you need assistance to better understand nursing interventions, nurse clinicals schedules, and patient care. These discussions offer great help as you grow your profession.

Take every chance

You will learn more through experience than just listening or seeing a lecture in class, so take every opportunity to learn in the clinical environment. For instance, if your nurse for the day asks you whether you want to try a new skill, you can say yes, but ensure the school or hospital policy allows you to do so. In addition, if a doctor or nurse asks you whether you want to observe a procedure or skill being performed, say yes.

Communicate with your instructor

Take the initiative to express your views and opinions to your instructor regarding patient care. You can also share with your instructor if you are more of an auditory or corporal learner. Ask helpful questions and welcome positive feedback.

You might encounter instructors who may not be as interactive or friendly as you want, but you need to learn how to work with people with different personalities and ways of being.

Care about the patient, not just patient care

Get to know your patient and make a difference in their life. Try to look for a way to make them happy every day. This may include giving them a soft touch in their hand or a caring smile. It’s easy to get enthralled in clinical protocols and patient care while undergoing nursing school clinicals. While these things are incredibly important, don’t lay aside the importance of genuinely caring for your patient in person.

Endnote

Making the most out of nursing school clinicals is a big commitment but one you can achieve with a good plan. This includes some good study tips and an appropriate approach to learning. Whether you want an extraordinary learning opportunity, more perspective, or simply an enjoyable experience, these five tips will help you get what you want and require out of your clinical experience.