All right, so you've probably heard from other nursing students about the drill sergeant-like clinical instructor, the staff nurse who isn't too keen about teaching student nurses or the patient who mistrusts your actions. Don't let these scare tactics keep you from walking into your first clinical with confidence. Remind yourself why you entered nursing and what you have to offer the profession and those you will help—both in nursing school and out.

Some tips to get you started:

1. Select a clinical site. Sometimes this is not left up to your discretion but to the discretion of the school you attend. However, if you are given the option to choose where to complete your clinicals, it's a good idea to do some background research. This includes finding out if the facility admits students, the nurse-to-patient ratio and the status of the facility (i.e. reorganization, labor dispute or extensive layoffs). The idea is to get your experience in a facility that will provide you with the best opportunities for learning and growth.
2. Adopt a uniform. What you wear to your clinical rotation depends on your school. But the key is to exercise good hygiene and dress appropriately. Your clinical uniform should be clean and not excessively wrinkled.
3. Equip yourself. Before you run out and spend hundreds of dollars on expensive medical equipment, check out the list of suggested equipment provided by your school. Items you'll likely need for clinical rotations: black and red pens, a penlight, a basic stethoscope, a calculator, bandage scissors, pocket-sized drug guide/clinical procedures handbook—or if you're tech-savvy, a personal digital assistant, a watch (not digital) and comfortable shoes. You may want a pocket-sized notebook or notecards to take notes and a pen. Often facilities use red ink and black ink for documentation
4. Go to Lab. Whether your instructor expects you to sit through videos that explain clinicals and/or demonstrates those skills using medical equipment and mannequins during lab, take notes and pay close attention because this is where you can learn without worrying about making mistakes. The time in lab will help prepare you for your return demonstrations (an assessment of your ability to perform skills such as tube feedings, intra-muscular injections, or wound care) and for your clinical experience where you'll perform your skills on real patients.
5. Attend Clinical Orientation. This is your chance to ask all the questions you have and to get acquainted with the facility where you will be working. Be sure to know where you can find the following: fire doors and fire procedures, emergency equipment, dirty and clean linen, policy and procedure manuals, forms and supplies, patient kitchen and staff bathrooms.

Gaining clinical experience

You've made it to clinicals where you can begin putting your knowledge to work. You're probably nervous but it's normal and will soon pass as you become better acquainted with the facility, staff and the tasks you are expected to complete. Here are a few tips to help you through clinicals:

1. Insurance. Check with your school to see if you need to procure liability insurance prior to beginning clinical rotations. Several companies provide individual liability insurance. For more information about malpractice insurance for nursing students, check out the Nurses Service Organization
2. Schedule clinicals. Be sure to schedule your clinical rotations with your clinical coordinator.
3. Clinical objectives. If you're not sure what tasks you should be completing, refer to your school's clinical objectives for a checklist of items you should perform. The list will keep you on target as you learn new procedures and practice the ones you're not comfortable with or haven't yet perfected.
4. Learn through observation. Watch your instructor perform a procedure first. Then, when the same procedure comes up again, ask to be verbally guided through the procedure. Do not peform any procedure beyond the scope of usual practice for the student level, or perform procedures without supervision.
5. Practice, practice, practice. The best way to learn is to jump in and do the procedures. You may have some uneasiness on your first attempt but you'll soon find that once you've done it, the easier it will become.
6. Clinical errors. Any clinical error on your part should be reported to the clinical coordinator or preceptor. Based on the seriousness of the error, you may need to fill out an incident report. In addition, you may be asked to provide a written synopsis of the incident to the clinical coordinator, which will placed in your academic file.