In nursing school, clinicals are hands-on experiences that provide students with the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills they have learned in the classroom and simulation settings to real-world patient care. These experiences take place in various healthcare settings, such as hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and community health centers. Nursing school clinicals are designed to help students develop critical thinking, communication skills, and expertise in basic patient care. They also allow students to explore different nursing specialties and gain practical experience in the field. Clinicals are typically supervised by clinical instructors or nursing educators, and they play a crucial role in preparing students for their future careers as nurses
. During nursing clinicals, students are responsible for various tasks depending on their stage in the nursing program. They have the opportunity to interact with patients, practice nursing skills, and gain a better understanding of complex patient needs, the disease process, and treatment plans. Additionally, nursing clinicals provide students with the chance to network and build connections with potential future employers
. The duration of nursing school clinicals varies by program, but they typically require a significant number of hours to complete, with most programs having students work between 120 to 140 hours. Clinical rotations allow students to work in different specialty areas, such as intensive care, long-term care, mental health, obstetrics, pediatrics, and public and community health, enabling them to explore and find the right fit for their nursing career
. Overall, nursing school clinicals are an essential component of nursing education, providing students with invaluable real-world learning experiences and preparing them for the demands of professional nursing practice
