NURSING SCHOOL CLINICAL | Tips For Success

Nurse Liz
1 Jan 201919:01
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this informative video, Liz shares valuable tips for nursing students to maximize their clinical experiences. She emphasizes the importance of being prepared with the right attire and supplies, such as scrubs, stethoscope, and chapstick, while discouraging the 'clipboard student' mentality. Liz encourages students to be proactive, helpful, and to advocate for learning opportunities, setting daily goals and communicating them to their supervising nurses. She also advises on handling emergencies and the significance of saying 'yes' to new experiences, even if they seem intimidating. Additionally, Liz highlights the importance of professionalism, including punctuality, appearance, and treating patients with respect and confidence.

Takeaways
  • πŸŽ’ Bring essential items to clinical such as scrubs, stethoscope, penlight, pen, paper, and chapstick.
  • πŸ“ Avoid being a 'clipboard student'; instead, use the pockets of scrubs to store notes and a small notebook.
  • πŸ™‹β€β™€οΈ Be proactive and helpful by constantly moving, offering assistance, and learning from various situations.
  • πŸ“… Set daily learning goals for your clinical experience and communicate them to your supervising nurse.
  • 🀝 Be your own advocate by clearly stating your comfort level with certain skills and what you aim to learn.
  • πŸ“± Keep a clinical notebook to jot down new information, questions, and observations for later review.
  • 😊 Approach every clinical experience with a positive attitude and be prepared to learn from any situation.
  • 🚫 Don't be present during codes or RRTs unless specifically invited, to avoid adding to the chaos.
  • πŸ₯Ό Always dress appropriately and avoid wearing perfume to the clinical setting to maintain a professional appearance and respect patient sensitivities.
  • πŸ™ Always say 'yes' to new learning opportunities, even if it feels intimidating, to maximize your clinical experience.
  • πŸ›‘ Prioritize safety and don't hesitate to ask questions to ensure you're performing tasks correctly and safely.
Q & A
  • What is the main focus of the video?

    -The main focus of the video is to provide tips for nursing students on how to succeed and get the most out of their clinical experiences in nursing school.

  • What are some essential items to bring to clinicals according to the speaker?

    -The speaker suggests bringing scrubs, a stethoscope, a penlight, a pen, a piece of paper or a small notebook, chapstick, and possibly a med drug reference book.

  • Why does the speaker advise against carrying a clipboard at all times?

    -The speaker advises against carrying a clipboard because it can make the student appear nervous and less confident. It also encourages the student to look down at the clipboard rather than engaging with the patient or the environment.

  • What is the speaker's recommendation for keeping notes during clinicals?

    -The speaker recommends using scrub pants with multiple pockets to keep notes conveniently folded and accessible without the need for a clipboard.

  • How can nursing students advocate for themselves in clinicals?

    -Nursing students can advocate for themselves by setting clear, actionable goals for each day, communicating these goals to their supervising nurse, and offering their help to colleagues and patients.

  • What should a nursing student do if they encounter a grumpy nurse who doesn't want a student?

    -The speaker suggests to kill them with kindness, meaning to be extremely helpful, kind, and offer assistance in any way possible, even if the nurse initially seems uninterested or unwelcoming.

  • How should a nursing student handle a code or RRT situation?

    -The student should step back and observe from outside the room or assist with answering colleagues in other areas. They should not insert themselves into the situation unless specifically invited by their preceptor or if they have been trained for such an event.

  • What is the speaker's advice for handling new or intimidating procedures?

    -The speaker advises to always say 'yes' to new experiences, even if it feels intimidating. If unsure, the student should communicate with their instructor or supervising nurse for guidance and support.

  • What are some general tips for presenting oneself in the clinical setting?

    -The speaker suggests being early, looking presentable, avoiding perfume, maintaining good eye contact and posture, and treating patients like human beings to build confidence and rapport.

  • Why is it important for nursing students to be present and engaged during clinicals?

    -Being present and engaged is important because it allows students to learn the most from their clinical experiences, helps them build confidence, and makes them a valuable resource to the nursing team.

  • What does the speaker emphasize as the most important rule for clinical experiences?

    -The speaker emphasizes that the most important rule is to always say 'yes' to new experiences and opportunities, even if they feel unprepared or nervous, as this is how they will learn and grow.

Outlines
00:00
πŸ“š Clinical Preparation and Essentials

The paragraph discusses the essentials needed for clinical experiences in nursing school. It emphasizes the importance of knowing what to bring, such as scrubs, stethoscope, penlight, pen, paper, and a small notebook. The speaker, Liz, shares personal tips like wearing compression socks, a jacket, and chapstick due to the dry hospital environment. She also advises against being a 'clipboard student' and recommends using scrub pants with multiple pockets for convenience. The paragraph aims to alleviate the stress of clinical preparation and encourages students to focus on the necessary items and personal comfort.

05:01
πŸ™‹β€β™€οΈ Active Participation and Learning

This section highlights the importance of active participation during clinical hours. Liz advises students to avoid sitting idle and to constantly seek opportunities to assist and learn. She encourages students to answer call lights, offer help to nurses, and be proactive in learning new skills. The paragraph emphasizes that being helpful and communicative leads to more learning opportunities and a better clinical experience. Liz also suggests setting daily learning goals and communicating them to the supervising nurse to maximize the clinical learning experience.

10:02
πŸ“ Note-taking and Advocacy

Liz stresses the importance of note-taking and self-advocacy in clinical settings. She recommends writing down questions, patient diagnoses, and new learning points in a clinical notebook. This practice helps students to remember and reflect on their experiences later. The paragraph also advises students to communicate their comfort levels and skills to their supervising nurses, which allows for better task delegation and utilization of the student's abilities. Liz shares her own experiences and provides tips on handling situations with less-than-enthusiastic nurses by maintaining a positive and helpful attitude.

15:04
🚫 Handling Emergencies and Saying Yes

This paragraph addresses how nursing students should handle emergencies such as codes and rapid response situations. Liz advises students to observe from a distance or assist with less critical tasks during these times to avoid adding to the chaos. She also encourages students to always say 'yes' when offered opportunities to perform procedures or tasks, even if they feel unprepared. This approach fosters learning and growth, and Liz shares her own experiences to illustrate the benefits of embracing challenges during clinical rotations.

🌟 Professionalism and Confidence

The final paragraph focuses on professionalism and confidence in a clinical setting. Liz provides tips on presenting oneself well, avoiding perfume, and maintaining good hygiene. She emphasizes the importance of making eye contact, standing confidently, and treating patients with respect. The paragraph reassures students that it's normal to feel unprepared and encourages them to ask questions and seek help when needed. Liz concludes with a reminder to eat breakfast before clinicals and reiterates that clinical experiences are opportunities for learning and growth.

Mindmap
Keywords
πŸ’‘Clinical Experiences
Clinical experiences refer to the hands-on practice that nursing students get in real healthcare settings, such as hospitals or clinics. In the video, the speaker shares tips on how to make the most out of these experiences, emphasizing the importance of being proactive, learning new skills, and interacting with patients and healthcare professionals.
πŸ’‘Nursing School
Nursing school is the educational institution where individuals train to become nurses. It typically includes both classroom instruction and clinical practice. The video is aimed at students in nursing school, providing them with advice on how to succeed in their clinical experiences, which are a crucial part of their education.
πŸ’‘Confidence
Confidence in the context of the video refers to the self-assurance and belief in one's abilities that nursing students need to effectively engage in their clinical experiences. It involves being able to approach patients and healthcare professionals in a way that commands respect and trust.
πŸ’‘Patient Interaction
Patient interaction is the communication and engagement between healthcare providers and patients. In nursing school clinicals, it is essential for students to learn how to interact with patients effectively, building rapport and trust, which are critical skills for future nursing practice.
πŸ’‘Note-Taking
Note-taking is the act of recording information, often used by students during clinical experiences to remember important details, patient information, and learning points. It is a critical skill for retaining knowledge and serving as a reference for future practice.
πŸ’‘Advocacy
Advocacy in the context of the video refers to students actively promoting their own learning by setting goals, communicating their skills and desired learning experiences to their preceptors, and seeking out opportunities to enhance their clinical education.
πŸ’‘Chapstick
Chapstick, mentioned humorously in the video, is a lip balm that helps prevent dry and chapped lips. The speaker emphasizes the importance of bringing chapstick to clinicals, especially in hospital environments, as a simple yet essential item for personal comfort and well-being.
πŸ’‘Clipboard
A clipboard is a flat board with a clip or clamp on the back to hold papers in place, often used to carry and organize papers or charts. In the context of the video, the speaker advises against being a 'clipboard student,' meaning one who is overly reliant on the clipboard and thus appears nervous or unprepared.
πŸ’‘Scrub Pants
Scrub pants are a type of loose-fitting, comfortable trousers typically worn by healthcare professionals. They often have multiple pockets for convenience. The video highlights the practicality of scrub pants, especially their pocket space, for carrying essential items like a folded 'nurse brain' or small notebook.
πŸ’‘Nursing Brain
The term 'nursing brain' is used in the video to refer to a physical piece of paper that the speaker uses to jot down important information, such as patient details or learning points. It serves as a personalized reference guide during clinical practice.
πŸ’‘Emergency Situations
Emergency situations, such as codes or rapid responses (RRTs), are critical events in healthcare settings that require immediate and coordinated action from the medical team. The video advises students on how to behave during these high-stress scenarios, emphasizing the importance of safety and learning opportunities.
Highlights

Essential tips for succeeding in clinical experiences in nursing school.

The importance of being prepared with the right attire and supplies, such as scrubs, stethoscope, and chapstick.

Avoiding the 'clipboard student' stereotype by being engaged and present in the clinical environment.

Utilizing scrub pants pockets for convenient note storage instead of a clipboard.

Setting daily goals for clinical experiences to focus learning and development.

Being proactive by offering help and answering call lights to gain more learning opportunities.

Communicating your skills and goals to your nurse for better utilization and learning.

The value of taking notes and having a clinical notebook for recording questions and observations.

Handling situations with grumpy nurses by maintaining a positive and helpful attitude.

Proper conduct during emergencies, such as codes and RRTs, including when to observe and when to step back.

The importance of saying 'yes' to new experiences, even if they seem intimidating.

Arriving early, looking presentable, and avoiding perfume to make a good impression in the clinical setting.

Maintaining confidence, good eye contact, and posture to build trust with patients.

It's okay to feel unprepared; clinicals are a learning environment where everyone starts.

Eating breakfast before starting clinicals to maintain energy and prevent fainting during intense procedures.

Transcripts
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