What's in my Clinical Bag?

That night before your first clinical can bring a lot of emotions. My biggest emotion at play was nerves. What would my patient be like? Would the nurses be mean? What will my teacher ask me? and the biggest question What do I need? So depending on the clinical it really depends on what you need but for me this is my go to pre packed bag I like to keep in my car during Clinical rotations. Sometimes I will carry my the book for that specific class, depending on the teacher and how much down time is expected during the clinical. Aways bring your paperwork, you never know when you may have 10 minutes to think up a care plan or write up your assessment. Use your time wisely!

 Here is a look into my bag! I always carry my planner with me. You never know when a teacher will change a date or add an assignment! I recently purchased a Day Designer and so far am loving it!

 I carry a pocket size notepad in my pocket to write down any vitals or information I get from the patient that I may need for paperwork or charting. Also in my pocket is a pocket sized eye chart. ALWAYS carry extra pens. Those things disappear all the time. Chapstick is a must for me along with gum and hand lotion.  Make sure the lotion is unscented! You hands will thank you after constantly washing them! Tide to go pen is super handy to have. We wear white scrub tops so every little stain or spill is seen. I try to never leave the house for a long day of classes or clinical without a protein or granola bar. I love love Quest Bars! So good and filling and prefect to hold me over till a break or for the rest of the clinical. The little black box carries my drug cards or any pre notes I make on my patients condition. Tylenol or some sort of medication for headaches or aches and pains is a good idea. If you have never had a clinical before or worked in a hospital, you'll be surprised by how much walking and lifting you will be doing. Tylenol is my go to!

 I am big on getting in my water for the day and can only do this my always making sure I have a water bottle around. This thing goes everywhere with me. A drug book is handy in case your patients drugs change might shift or if you have some time to work on your paperwork. I love my Littman stethoscope. This baby should last me quite a long time past nursing school.

 My bag is a Thirtyone Utility tote, Spirit collection . It is perfect for clinical. Easy to clean and lots of pockets for all my small things i carry with me.

 

Hope this helps as you plan out your first clinical day!

XOXO

Kelsie

Taste of Clinical

This month we started our first round of clincials. In the first semester they give us a taste of what clinical is like. This way we don't show up to clinicals the first day of Adult Health and look completely terrified and confused.  I am so thankful I have experience in the hospital and have had clinical before, so for me this round has been a breeze. We have been working with a local nursing home where we are partnered with the Techs for our 6 hour shift. I can't lie, nursing homes are not for me nor are they for the faint of heart. I have been so lucky to work with some great techs at this nursing home. It truly takes a special person to work at a nursing home. The tech I was assigned to really changed my perspective of the nursing home staff and environment last week. This particular tech really knew his residents. He knew how the women liked their hair, and how they preferred to be moved and changed. He knew their routines and knew each one of them by name. He knew their morning and night routine and took the time to make sure each resident he was assigned was taken care of just how they like.

Now a here's a thought. How many of you techs or nurses take the time to really know your patients. Do you find your self referring to them as the hip replacement or the stroke in room 105? I know I know- A hospital is different than a nursing home. Trust me I get that. But there is a disconnect at the hospital. What if we took 5 minutes, just a few, to learn our patients names and maybe how they like their blankets or what their nightly routine is. If we took this short time to ask them how we can make them comfortable maybe less patients would be cranky, yell, cry, or complain. Something as simple as making sure the patient can follow their nightly routine (to the best of our ability in the hospital) can do wonders for their sleep- which we all know is important with healing. This can ease anxiety, fear, and can make their stay a tiny bit better. You are the one with your patient for the most time, not the doctor. You know their illness, their medications, their treatment plan, and prognosis. Patients are people. They are more their their illness and diagnosis and They are more than a hospital room number. Treat them that way and I know you will have less patients yelling and complaining which we all know would make a much better 12 hour shift. 

Lastly- Nurses thank your techs. So many times they are ragged on and felt to be so much smaller and insignificant then they are. They are more than willing to help and take care of patients but should not be dumped on with only the tasks you do not want. 

Techs- respect and thank your nurses. They are the advocates for their patients and are many times behind on meds and struggling to keep up in the shift. Nurses have one of the hardest jobs and many times could not get it all done without you! 

Until next time! 

Kelsie