My first clinical experience!

One of the biggest moments in a nursing student’s career is when they get to throw on their scrubs, step into a clinical setting and apply the information they’ve been learning for the past 2 years to the real world. I know for me, waiting to finally get into my junior year clinicals seemed like it took an eternity but I finally made it! This semester I have two clinical rotations, medical surgical clinical at Rosemont Care and Rehabilitation Center and maternity clinical HUP. I was equally excited for both clinicals and I couldn’t wait to put my skills to use.

My first clinical day happened to be at Rosemont Care and Rehabilitation Center which is a nursing home for the elderly about 30 minutes away from Widener. I wasn’t sure what to expect walking in and I was very nervous before I walked into the doors. After an introduction from the facility coordinator along with introductions from the two clinical instructors at the site, we were able to go to separate floors and get our first hands on experience with some of the residents.

Walking down the hallway in the rehab was intimidating to say the least but many of the residents were eager to say hello and give us a warm welcome into their home which was refreshing. We reached the end of the hall and entered the common area for the residents in which I was able to talk to two friends that live down the hall from one another. It was nice to interact with patients first hand even if it didn’t have anything to do with medicine.

My first day at clinical was eye opening and interesting. I was able to connect with residents first hand and I was able to discuss some of their needs that they wanted to be handled while we were there. I am eager to return back to Rosemont and to get more hands on experience with the residents on the floor I am assigned to.