What should I expect during my clinicals?

Question

I'm a Nursing major and i'll be starting my clinicals this fall. I'm really really nervous about it though.. I'm a junior in college, and i've never had any kind of experience working at a hospital before. Can anyone tell me what it will be like and what I should expect? I have heard that clinicals usually start at 6 a.m and we'll be in a group of about 10 people..but we'll be assigned individual patients. Can anyone tell me about how their experience was? What happens if we make a mistake or something while we're being supervised?

Answer 1

I am a CNA and am starting school for my LPN next month. While I was doing my clinicals as a CNA it really wasn't as bad as they make it seem. I guess it really depends on your supervisors and the hospitals where you go though. I really enjoyed working with my patients and helping them with their ADLs. You really get to know some of them and they greatly impact your life. Clinicals have their ups and downs of course depending on the general health of your patients. I had a patient once who when I came in one day and his daughter told me they were taking him to a hospice and it was really hard on me hearing that. But overall, you really get to know your patients and for some of them you are all they have. Treasure the times you have at clinicals and don't worry if you make a mistake. Its only human and they won't hold it against you. Just take a deep breath and do your best. Good luck!!! We need more nurses :D