Advice for Your Clinical Rotation

Any student nurse has probably noticed that there are nice nurses during clinical rotation and there are not-so-nice nurses. Clinical rotation is often a very nerve-racking experience and having a supportive and helpful nurse can turn it into a very rewarding and memorable time. Here are a few tips that I have learned to help build a relationship with the nurse during the short time we have in rotation.

First, always remember that these nurses were once in your shoes. Sometimes when you see a really amazing nurse it is hard to imagine that they, at one point in time, felt insecure and less than confident in their clinical experience, but it is probably true. The same holds true with the cranky and impatient nurse. They, too, had to start at some point.

Second, always stay busy. There is no bigger pet peeve at the nurses’ station then when they see a student nurse sitting down. There are always call lights to answer and tasks to assist with.

Third, do not get in their way. Make sure to regularly examine your interference with their work day and learn when an appropriate time for questions is, and when it is time to step back and let them do their job.

Lastly, it is very important to assess where your skill level is at. The nurse is the expert and you are not. If a nurse asks you to perform a task that you have not yet been approved for, kindly tell them that you are not trained in that skill yet. Do not compromise yourself or the nurse for the chance to practice that skill.

Always remember that this is a time to gain experience. There will be a lot of unknowns and uncertainties but make the most of your time and learn as much as you can from observing your nurse. Remember that you will someday be in their shoes.