Completing clinical practice as part of your nursing program can be an exciting time, but it can also be overwhelming if you are not prepared. Transitioning from school to clinical practice can be incredibly difficult if you don’t know what you’re getting into.
With this in mind, check out these five things that every student nurse needs to know before their clinical practice.
Prepare for emotional challenges
Clinicals can be an emotional experience, and knowing what you’re getting yourself into is essential. For example, you’ll see people in pain who may have lost function or mobility due to their condition.
It is common for student nurses to develop emotions towards certain patients, so it’s best not to take those feelings home with you at the end of the day.
Review simple nursing procedures
One of the most important things that a student nurse should do before going into clinical practice is to review simple nursing procedures. This action will help them understand the basics of nursing and prepare them for what they are about to experience in their clinicals.
They need to know how to take blood pressure, read an EKG, and care for patients with various illnesses. You may gain this knowledge and experience by enrolling in one of the online accelerated BSN programs for non-nurses available at Wilkes University.
These programs are designed specifically for those who have little or no previous experience in nursing but still want to pursue the career. In these courses, you’ll learn the basic skills required to be successful in clinical settings.
Be prepared for long shifts
Every student nurse should prepare for long shifts during their clinical practice. Long hours can wreak havoc on your body, emotions and relationships if you’re unprepared.
Eat healthy meals, stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water or other beverages, and ensure that you get enough sleep before work.
By doing these things before you go to work each day, you’ll have the stamina needed to make it through the day and be able to focus on your patients.
Practice time management
Student nurses need to be as efficient with their time as possible. Many things can happen in a day, so it’s always good to plan.
For instance, know how long you need to do an assessment and what kind of equipment you’ll need before you start one. If any tests or procedures need doing, ensure that you know what the role entails beforehand so that you can get those things done early in your shift.
Practice a healthy diet
It’s crucial to maintain a healthy diet while you are in the healthcare industry setting. With long shifts and little time, finding the energy and motivation to cook healthy meals can be difficult.
One way that you can make this easier is by planning your meals for the week ahead of time so that cooking is not such an overwhelming task.
Final thoughts
Every student nurse must prepare for the many challenges that can arise during their clinical practice. Students must be confident and comfortable with treating patients and managing any complications before they go into clinicals. Organizing in advance will make it easier to stay focused, so ensure that you have everything you need.