In my last month of practicum, lessons learned included:
- Bring your lunch! Seriously folks, on the morning of that third twelve-hour shift when you can't seem to hop out of bed, MAKE YOUR LUNCH! You will starve! True story!
- Experienced nurses are amazing! The older they are, the lazier they are, which means you get to practice lots of skills. Become their friend!
- The urethra is never where you think it should be! Like ever! Don't feel like an idiot, experienced nurses miss it too (my preceptor did!).
- As tired as you are, go above and beyond while you're at clinical - the boss is always watching.
- JCo people are scary. They don't mean to be, but imagine 12 of your strictest instructors watching your every move - scary man!
- When you have questions, ask!
- Trust your instincts. You know what you're doing most of the time. And if not, refer to #6.
- Listen to your patients ..not their family.
- Delegation is key to time management. You can't do everything, remember that!
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As I wrapped up my practicum hours, I find it absolutely insane how much more confident I feel, how much I've learned, and how much I've grown in the past three months. I started out as a student with minimal skills and lots of anxiety and I'm finishing as a soon-to-be graduate with skills and clinical confidence. I fell in love with critical care this semester and could not have asked for a better placement. My unit, preceptors, and patients have truly made this semester unforgettable.
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| BlueBirds, GRU CNL Students, Class of 2014, Emory Cohort. |
Peace and Love,
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