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My nursing school schedule consisted of lecture, labs, simulations, and clinical rotations. Although simulations place students into “real life” scenarios to enhance learning, the best experience is gained through clinicals. By the time I graduated from nursing school, I had over 500+ clinical hours. I had clinicals in a wide variety of specialties such as geriatrics, pediatrics, maternity, critical care and adult acute care. Clinical rotations are a huge part of the nursing school experience, as they allow you to put your nursing school knowledge into practice. The more hands on experience you gain as a student, the more comfortable you will be with performing nursing skills.  

Clinicals are a great tool, however they can be very overwhelming and a big source of anxiety if you don’t know how to make the most of your time there. I’ve looked back on my clinical experiences and gathered some tips that will help all nursing students excel during those 8 to 12 hour clinical shifts! 

Take the more difficult patient. 

If your clinical instructor lets you choose which patient you want to assist during the day, choose the patient that has a more complex medical history. You will end up having a more interesting shift. I would usually choose patients who needed bedside procedures done, such as a thoracentesis or a cardioversion, so that I would be able to observe and learn about how the nurse prepares and assists with those procedures. Also, taking these complex patients will allow you to be exposed to a variety of medications that you may have not seen in practice before. 

Say yes!  

If a nurse or CNA needs assistance with caring for their patient, be the student who is always willing to help. Being helpful will allow you to see more types of patients and get more experience with patient care. Also, if you would like to work at that specific facility upon completion of nursing school, it will work in your favor if you’re as resourceful as possible.  

Seek out opportunities.   

There will always be a lot going on in the unit, and sometimes there may be procedures that your clinical instructor is unaware of. If your nurse has a patient that is going down for a diagnostic procedure, ask your clinical instructor if you can go down with them to observe. As a student, you must advocate for yourself to ensure you are getting the most out of your clinical experience. In my last semester, I asked to observe central lines and nasogastric tubes being inserted. I also offered to insert Foley catheters and change central line dressings, in the presence of my clinical instructor.  

Take advantage of the hours that you’re spending at your clinical rotations. This is the time to ask questions, learn, and even make mistakes. The nurses that you’re shadowing know that you are a student, and that you don’t know everything, and that’s perfectly okay! Be a sponge, be helpful, and be proactive!