Some Tips For Nursing Students Approaching Clinicals

If you're a masters degree nursing student, there will come a time

, possibly much sooner than you may expect, when you'll be leaving your classroom and heading to what is known as the "clinicals" portion of your nursing program. These are the weeks when you'll be working in a health care setting actually caring for patients (under supervision of course).

Most nursing students are thrilled when this part of nursing school approaches. Most are also apprehensive, and wisely so -- clinicals is where the rubber meets the road for nursing students, when the well-being of actual patients, their illnesses, their pain, and their own fears and concerns becomes more than just a textbook case and becomes REAL.

Below are some tips to help you make it through this exciting and challenging time.

When you show up to work, many experience Registered Nurses will recommend you arrive at your clinical site with an attitude less about showing how much you now and more about wanting to learn what you don't. Come with humility and the understanding that your patients aren't there to help you learn; you're there to help them get well.

Leave any and all personal concerns elsewhere. Don't think about tomorrow's exam. Don't worry about making time to get to your daughter's recital. Don't whine that you have a paper due in two days. Instead, give your entire attention to your patients and their needs. As mentioned above, you are there to learn, because clinicals really are about learning how to give the best care possible to your patients.

Look beyond the obvious. Don't just report a patient's vital signs; know the normal ranges and the abnormal ranges. You must be able to tell your preceptor more than that a certain patient has a history or diabetes; you must understand how her high blood sugar will affect her post-operative recovery and her body's healing process. In other words, know the "why" behind the "what."

You must understand -- and understand it well -- that you can not take your patients' attitudes toward you personally. Many are in pain -- extreme pain. They're not there to make you feel good about your chosen profession. Some will love you and tell you so. Some may be displeased -- and tell you so.

You'll also need to be extremely flexible. Your duties and your patients' needs can change hourly. You will need to adapt and do so quickly and calmly. Being able to easily handle emergencies, change and stress is part of the profession. Be prepared for anything because "anything" frequently happens.

Nursing is a wonderful profession. If you're pursing a masters degree nursing program you're well on your way to a terrific future. Just be sure to understand that the critical and exciting time you spend in clinicals will be hectic, stressful, wonderful and challenging -- and often at the same time.

by: Jean Henshaw

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