How to Excel in Nursing School Clinicals
Nursing clinicals are often simultaneously the most exciting and intimidating part of nursing school. But they don’t have to be scary! As a former nursing clinical instructor, here are some of my top tips for excelling in and making the most of your clinical experience.
1. Come Prepared
Preparation is the foundation of success for clinicals. Before each shift, review your assigned patients, their medical histories, medications, and any specific conditions they may have. Understand the procedures and interventions you will be involved in and refresh your knowledge of any tools or equipment you’ll be using. And please please please do not forget your stethoscope and pen!
Pro Tip: Spend time reviewing your patient’s lab results and vital signs trends, and anticipate what you might need to do for their care. The more prepared you are, the more confident and capable you will appear.
2. Master Time Management
Effective time management is crucial when juggling multiple tasks and responsibilities. On clinical days, you’ll need to manage patient care, documentation, and coordination with other healthcare providers—all while maintaining high standards of care. This definitely takes experience to master, but the more you practice during clinical, the better prepared you will be after graduation working as a real nurse.
Pro Tip: Prioritize tasks based on urgency, and try to anticipate any complications or additional steps that may arise. Start by organizing your day into manageable chunks, breaking down tasks into smaller steps to stay focused and organized. Bringing a small to-do list notepad with you to clinical can be really helpful for this!
3. Take Initiative
I cannot tell you how many unit nurses expressed frustration to me as the clinical instructor about students not taking initiative. Staff nurses are super busy so they aren’t going to spend an extra 20 minutes trying to track you down to place an IV–they’re just going to do it themselves because it’s faster.
To stand out at clinical, look for opportunities to get involved and offer help, whether it’s preparing equipment, assisting with a procedure, or helping the CNA clean up poop. Being proactive shows that you’re eager to learn and willing to contribute to patient care. Trust me, staff nurses will LOVE you for it!
Pro Tip: If you’re unsure about something, ask for clarification or offer to help in any way. If your assigned nurse is busy, that’s what your clinical instructor is there for!
4. Network with Your Preceptor
Even if you’re early in your nursing school journey, it’s never too early to start thinking about future jobs. Use your time during clinical to build a relationship with your preceptor or assigned nurse for the day. Ask them for feedback and advice, and be willing to listen! If they’re open to it, ask them how they like working on the unit to get some insider information to see if it might be a good fit for you to look for a job after graduation.
Pro Tip: Even though it’s tempting, don’t use your time to gossip or talk poorly about the unit, even if your assigned nurse is the one initiating the conversation. This is really unprofessional and can get you in trouble.
5. Ask Questions (Appropriately)
Ask, ask, and ask more questions. Seriously. That’s the best way to learn. But please also be sure to read the room. Asking complex questions when your assigned nurse is clearly overwhelmed with tasks they need to get done is probably not a good idea. If you have a burning question and your nurse is too busy, go ask your clinical instructor, that’s what they’re there for.
Pro Tip: Your preceptor can tell if you’re asking questions just to get help on your assigned clinical paperwork. Don’t do this; it’s your assignment, not theirs.
6. Don’t Be Afraid to Try Skills
Clinicals provide the perfect opportunity to practice and refine your skills. Whether it’s performing vital sign assessments, administering medications, or assisting with procedures, the more you practice, the more proficient and confident you will become.
Pro Tip: When you’re a student, no one expects you to do anything perfectly. Take advantage of this and practice your skills as often as possible so you can get feedback from your preceptor and maybe even from the patient. I once had a patient who told me I hurt him when giving a heparin shot because of the way I was holding the needle. And guess what – I never did that again and I’ve never had a patient complain again either!
7. Be Open to Feedback
One of the most important ways to excel during clinical is to remain open to feedback. Criticism is a vital part of your growth as a nurse, so embrace it with a positive attitude and use it as an opportunity to improve. Self-reflection is also essential—at the end of each shift, take a moment to evaluate what went well and what you can work on.
Pro Tip: Keep a reflective journal where you document your experiences and track your progress. This will help you identify strengths and areas for improvement, as well as boost your self-awareness.
8. Practice Self-Care and Manage Stress
Clinical can be physically and emotionally demanding. To perform at your best, it’s essential to take care of yourself. Prioritize sleep, eat well, and engage in activities that help you relax and unwind. Remember, taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of your patients.
Pro Tip: Schedule regular breaks when possible, and make time for activities that help you recharge. This will help you maintain your focus, energy, and enthusiasm throughout your clinical rotations.
9. Stay Positive
Nursing school clinical will undoubtedly present challenges, but it’s how you handle them that determines your success. Stay positive, remain adaptable, and embrace challenges as learning opportunities. Resilience is key—when faced with a tough situation, stay calm, think critically, and remember that every challenge is a chance to grow.
Pro Tip: Develop a growth mindset by focusing on solutions rather than problems. If you encounter setbacks, reflect on what you can learn from the experience and apply that knowledge moving forward.
Excelling in nursing school clinicals requires preparation, initiative, and a commitment to continuous learning. By managing your time effectively, asking good questions, and building strong relationships with your preceptors, you’ll not only excel in your clinicals but also develop the skills needed to be a successful nurse. So go out there and embrace every opportunity to learn, practice, and grow!
