are being asked to complete . We tend to use this general rule of thumb : When in doubt , ask your nurse . This will give you the space to learn something new and increase your confidence and skill set within the hospital setting .
Learn To Say No : Nurses may ask you to do things that are not in your scope of practice as an unlicensed student . This may be uncomfortable because a person in an authoritative position is telling you to do something that you know you ’ re unable to do . Know that it is okay to say no . In fact , it is best to say no in situations like this . Performing a skill you are not comfortable with risks patient and staff safety . Learn to advocate for your patient and say to your nurse , “ I have not performed this skill independently yet . I would be glad to watch as you show me how to perform this skill and you walk me through it .” You are not a nurse yet , therefore you do not have the responsibility to perform skills independently . You are there to learn and improve . On the opposite side of the coin , if your nurse is completing a task you are qualified to do and you want to practice , ask to be allowed to perform the task . Odds are the nurse will be happy to guide you through it .
Prepare for Nurses That Do Not Educate : At some point through your clinical experience , you will stumble upon a nurse who focuses on working rather than teaching ; the nurse wants to complete a task quickly , without having to explain to an assigned student . The fact is , some nurses are not comfortable being educators and that is okay . If education is not a nurse ’ s forte , offer to help with tasks when needed , and learn through observation . You will see examples of different nurses who have different nursing styles in clinical settings . Pay attention to each one ; it might help you develop your own unique style . It ’ s important to soak up as much information as possible in every single shift . While it might be better to always see perfect nursing skills and excellent education , that is not always the case . Sometimes , exposure to less-than-ideal nursing practice helps us familiarize ourselves with professional and personal code of ethics and remain firm in the safe practices we were taught . It also provides an opportunity to advocate for your patients and give them the best care possible . When you work with nurses who don ’ t necessarily want to work with you , acknowledge how you believe a safer practice should have been implemented , pick up where the nurse left off , and notify your instructor when the situation is appropriate .
Debrief After Difficult Clinical Experiences : Many past nursing students can remember traveling home after a difficult clinical day , feeling a strange sense of resentment towards the other college students they saw around campus who were not nursing majors . In our personal experience , we would think , “ I bet they didn ’ t watch someone go into cardiac arrest this morning ,” or “ They have no idea what I ’ m going through .” This is why it ’ s so important to debrief after these taxing shifts . Whether it be with your instructor , your clinical group , or the nurses you worked with that day , having a quick conversation about how something made you feel or how you ’ re processing it can decrease the burnout and resentment that can so easily creep into your mind . Allowing yourself the space to process difficult shifts will increase your ability to compartmentalize your feelings and make you a stronger , more emotionally intelligent nurse .
Conclusion : Thrown at you all at once , this information can seem a little overwhelming . However , do not fret . Be encouraged ! Nursing school is extremely difficult , and clinicals are a component of that , but it just shows how strong and resilient you are to be a part of it . With time and practice , you will learn how to turn clinicals from a daunting , overwhelming , exhausting experience into an exciting , educational , and at times transformative one that is full of growth and new experiences . Our advice ? Take it day by day . Take deep breaths . Know that you are a strong person who has chosen an amazing career to help improve and save lives . One day , you will be a practicing RN and will reminisce about your time at school as a place of growth and encouragement , so don ’ t wish it away ! You are not alone in this ; there is a sea of people who are eager to walk with you as you learn and help you to become more comfortable with patient care . •
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