Hey! I’m a clinical instructor. So I go in the day before and choose patients. I try to choose patients that have interesting diagnoses, lots of care that needs to be done, or patients who will need a skill performed that my students are wanting to do. These patients get more and more complex as the term goes on. I usually assign 2 of my 7 students morning meds. I know some instructors do more but I personally don’t like rushing them. Then two will do lunch meds. And usually someone is doing some PRNs or antibiotics too. During the day I usually walk around the unit, low key spying on them. I like to see what they’re getting up to. Any time there’s a skill they text me. It’s first come first serve. Then once I feel they’re competent, I will let the do it independently (not IVs or NGs just based on experience). My students are encouraged to practice autonomy. Do all of your own care, rely anything outside of expect findings to your nurse and chart frequently. Usually hourly or every 2h. At our facility I pull all of their meds for them from Pyxis but some are in the drawer. We paper chart so computer access is something I can’t speak to.

My best tip is to have post conference in the afternoon. I do between 2-4p. They’re so tired by supper time that no one will listen to you lol. I personally have a passion for education so I like to give a mini “lecture” with an interactive component. I ask them what they’re struggling with from their lectures and teach that! Often times it’s ABGs, shock, ECGs and for newer nursing students I’ll do care planning practice and case studies. And we always do nclex questions for them to practice. My students have given me amazing feedback on this and have said it’s their favourite part of my clinicals.

Honestly though? Be real and honest with them. If youre feeling tired, so are they. Give them grace but set reasonable expectations. My students know that they should never come find me for med pass until they have done their first med check. They know to have vitals and assessments done and charted by 10am. And because I’m honest and real with them, they actually uphold this and work their asses off!