What should i Bring to clinicals?
As a Nurse Practitioner student going to a clinical placement, it's important to be well-prepared and organized. The specific items you need to bring may vary depending on the setting of your clinical and any specific requirements set by your school or the healthcare facility. However, here's a general list of items you should consider bringing:
Scrubs or Professional Attire: Check with your school or clinical site about their dress code. Some facilities may require specific colors or styles for scrubs, while others might prefer professional attire.
Name Badge and Identification: Make sure you have your student identification and any necessary badges or cards provided by your school or the clinical site.
Stethoscope: A high-quality stethoscope is essential for assessing patients' heart and lung sounds.
Penlight: Useful for examining the eyes, throat, and other areas with limited light.
Notebook and Pens: Take notes during your clinical experience to document patient information, important details, and learning points.
Clinical Guidelines and References: Carry any necessary clinical guidelines, textbooks, or pocket references to help you with assessments and decision-making.
Watch with Second Hand: A watch with a second hand is useful for tracking vital signs and timing certain procedures.
Clipboard or Clinical Binder: Organize your paperwork, patient lists, and other important documents in a clipboard or clinical binder.
Hand Sanitizer: Always maintain good hand hygiene, so carry a travel-sized hand sanitizer.
Snacks and Water: Clinical rotations can be demanding, so having some snacks and water on hand is a good idea.
Resumes/CV: If there's an opportunity to network or apply for future positions, having copies of your resume or CV can be helpful.
Smartphone or Small Device: Some healthcare facilities might have specific apps or software for documentation, so find out ahead of time if you should bring a laptop.
Compassion and Eagerness to Learn: While not tangible items, having a positive attitude, being empathetic, and eager to learn are crucial qualities to bring to your clinical experience. Remember to engage with the patients and with the office staff. Make the most of your clinical experience for yourself and your preceptor. Remember that unpleasant experiences for the office staff & preceptor could leave the door closed for future students.
Know what resources your school has for you (these oftenare included in tuition), such as UpToDate, epocrates, etc.
Be sure to check with your preceptor or the facility beforehand to ensure you have all the required materials and to get any specific guidelines they may have. Clinical sites often have onboarding or credentialing requirements that can be extensive and take several weeks.
Your preparedness and professionalism will contribute to a successful and enriching clinical experience!
