How to Survive Nursing Clinicals: 8 Tips for Nursing Students

The hands-on experience of clinical rotations help bridge the gap between theory and practice, allowing nursing students to apply their knowledge in real-world settings. To that end, nursing clinicals are a pivotal part of nursing school, transforming students into skilled professionals.

Despite the rewards, surviving clinical rotations come with their share of challenges: demanding schedules, emotional moments, and the pressure to perform under close supervision make nursing clinicals a fast-paced learning experience.

Luckily, with the right mindset and best practices, students can gain the skills and resilience necessary to thrive in their nursing careers. In this guide, we will walk you through seven key insights into how to survive nursing clinicals with confidence.

How Many Hours of Clinicals Do Nursing Students Need?

Each state’s Board of Nursing sets minimum clinical hour standards to ensure students gain adequate hands-on experience.¹ The number of nursing school clinical hours needed varies depending on state regulations and individual program requirements.²

The time commitment might seem long, but these hours pack in essential training that provides a well-rounded education. Prospective students are introduced to various nursing specialties like:³

• Medical-surgical
• Pediatrics
• Mental health
• Acute care

Regardless of the clinical hours required by your program, these experiences play a vital role in shaping your nursing skills and preparing you for real-world patient care.

How to Survive Nursing Clinicals: 8 Helpful Tips

Surviving nursing clinical experiences requires more than just showing up—it demands preparation, adaptability, and a proactive mindset.

As a nursing student, you will face unfamiliar situations and encounter the complexities of patient care firsthand. These experiences can feel overwhelming, but with effective strategies, clinicals can become invaluable opportunities for learning and growth.

To thrive in this crucial phase, explore these seven practical tips to help you navigate (and make the most of) your nursing clinical experience:

1. Get Organized Before Each Shift

Preparation is key to surviving and thriving during nursing clinical rotations. To start each shift with confidence, take time to get organized in advance:

• Assess patient assignments – Review your assigned patients and their medical conditions at the start of your shift. Familiarity with diagnoses and treatment plans helps you anticipate care needs.
• Create a clinical notebook – Prepare a notebook with quick-reference information on common medications, procedures, and protocols. This can be key when you need details quickly.
• Pack essential supplies – Ensure you have essential tools like a penlight, scissors, a watch with a second hand, and extra pens. These small items can save time and reduce stress during your shift.

By organizing ahead of time, you can feel more prepared to handle whatever comes your way during clinicals. 

Plus, with everything you need on hand, you can focus on managing your tasks and responsibilities efficiently. 

2. Improve Your Time Management Skills

Strong time management is essential for navigating nursing clinicals effectively. To stay on top of your responsibilities and provide quality patient care, practice these key strategies:

• Prioritize with the "ABCs" – Always address tasks in order of importance using the "ABCs" approach—Airway, Breathing, and Circulation. This framework helps you focus on critical patient needs first.
• Use a patient care worksheet – Track your assessments, medications, and documentation with a worksheet or planner. Staying organized helps ensure you do not miss important tasks.
• Stay flexible – While sticking to a schedule is important, be ready to adapt to unexpected events or emergencies without losing focus.

Ultimately, mastering time management helps reduce stress and make clinical days more productive and manageable. However, effective time management is only one piece of the puzzle—strong communication skills are just as crucial for success in clinicals. 

3. Build Strong Communication Skills

Effective communication is critical for success during nursing rotations. Strong communication ensures smooth collaboration with your healthcare team and builds trust with patients. Here are essential ways to improve your communication skills:

• Master the SBAR method – Practice giving patient reports using the SBAR framework: Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation. This method ensures clarity and efficiency in sharing critical information.
• Ask questions – Do not hesitate to seek clarification from preceptors or nurses if you are unsure about tasks or instructions—it is always better to ask than to risk errors.
• Enhance bedside manner – Actively listen to patients, show empathy, and engage with them. This builds rapport and helps you provide patient-centered care.

Honing communication skills not only fosters better teamwork, it improves your effectiveness as a nurse. Additionally, staying up to date with nursing trends can help you adapt to new technologies and best practices in patient care.

As you refine your communication, it is equally essential to focus on developing strong charting practices.

4. Master Documentation and Charting Early

Documentation is a vital nursing skill, but it can feel intimidating during clinicals. To build confidence and competence:⁴

• Chart accurately and efficiently – Practice recording patient data, assessments, and observations promptly and precisely. Up-to-date information can enhance decision-making.
• Avoid common mistakes – Double-check entries for errors or omissions that could impact patient care. Be especially mindful of medication documentation, as mistakes here can impact patient wellness.
• Know legal and ethical guidelines – Understand the importance of confidentiality and accuracy in patient records. Following legal and ethical standards protects both patients and yourself from liability.

Prioritizing proper charting early ensures you develop the skills needed for effective, legally sound documentation in clinical practice. That said, even the best documentation practices can be challenged by high-pressure situations that demand quick thinking and calm decision-making.

5. Essential Nursing Skills to Develop During Clinicals

Nursing clinicals are the perfect time to sharpen key skills that will serve you throughout your career. Focus on:

• Critical thinking – Learn to analyze patient conditions, anticipate complications, and make sound clinical decisions.
• Delegation and teamwork – Work alongside nurses, CNAs, and healthcare staff to develop leadership and delegation skills.
• Technical proficiency – Master essential procedures such as IV insertions, medication administration, and wound care.
• Patient advocacy – Understand how to speak up for patient needs, ensure informed consent, and promote ethical care.

Actively practicing these key nursing skills during clinical rotations will make the transition into full-time work much smoother. In the future, you can deepen your knowledge and widen your skillset with various types of master’s in nursing that aligns with your career goals and interests.

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6. Stay Calm and Confident Under Pressure

Nursing clinicals are filled with high-pressure moments that test your resilience and composure. Whether facing unexpected emergencies or making critical decisions, staying calm is essential for effective patient care:

• Stay composed – It is natural to feel nervous when charting, especially under observation. Focus on staying calm and learning from each experience.
• Practice mindfulness – Manage anxiety with deep breathing or mindfulness exercises before and during documentation. Staying grounded helps you think more clearly and avoid errors.
• Prioritize growth – Perfection is unrealistic and remember, mistakes are a normal part of learning. Use feedback to improve rather than fearing errors.

The more you practice, the more efficient and accurate your documentation will become. Mastering this skill early will provide better patient care throughout your nursing journey.

7. Seek Feedback and Learn from Your Mistakes

Growth in nursing also comes from actively seeking feedback and learning from mistakes.  During clinical rotations, embrace constructive criticism as a valuable tool for improvement by:

• Asking for constructive criticism – Regularly approach instructors and nurses for feedback on your performance. Their insights help identify areas where you can improve.
• Reflecting on your experiences – After each shift, take time to think about what went well and where you could do better. This self-reflection allows you to build on your strengths and address weaknesses.
• Keeping a journal – Track your progress and lessons learned throughout your clinicals. Journaling helps reinforce concepts, document challenges, and celebrate milestones.

Seeking feedback and learning from mistakes can enhance your skills, boost your confidence, and continuously improve your nursing practice. Yet, growth during clinicals is not solely about your work on the floor—it is equally important to prioritize self-care outside of clinicals. 

8. Take Care of Yourself Outside of Clinicals

Self-care is essential for thriving during nursing clinicals and maintaining long-term success. To stay energized and focused, prioritize your well-being:

• Get adequate rest – Ensure you are getting enough sleep to recharge your body and mind. A well-rested nurse is more alert and better equipped to handle clinical challenges.
• Fuel your body – Eat nutritious meals like lean proteins, whole grains, and plenty of fruits and vegetables to keep your energy levels up throughout long shifts.
• Practice self-care – Find time for stress-relief activities like exercise, hobbies, or relaxation techniques. This helps prevent burnout and keeps you refreshed.
• Lean on your support system – Stay connected with classmates, mentors, and loved ones for encouragement and guidance.

Taking care of yourself outside of clinicals allows you to show up as your best, both for yourself and your patients. 

In addition to managing your well-being, a strong academic support system can significantly enhance your clinical experience.

What to Expect During Your First Clinical Rotation

Starting your first nursing clinical rotation can feel overwhelming, but knowing what to expect can ease the transition. Here’s a breakdown of what your first day might look like:

• Orientation and introductions – You will meet your clinical instructor, preceptor, and fellow students while getting familiar with the facility and patient care units.
• Review of policies and procedures – Expect a briefing on hospital protocols, HIPAA compliance, and infection control measures.
• Shadowing experienced nurses – Your initial days will likely involve observing and assisting nurses with basic patient care tasks before gradually taking on more responsibilities.
• Patient interaction – You will practice skills like taking vital signs, assisting with hygiene, and documenting observations under supervision.

The key is to stay engaged, ask questions, and absorb as much as possible—your first clinical experience sets the foundation for your growth as a nurse.

Common Challenges in Clinicals (and How to Overcome Them)

Every nursing student encounters obstacles during clinicals. Here’s how to tackle some of the most common challenges:

• Feeling unprepared – If you feel like you don’t know enough, remember that clinicals are a learning experience. Review materials before shifts and take notes to reinforce new concepts.
• Balancing multiple patients – Managing more than one patient at a time can be difficult. Prioritize tasks using the "ABCs" method and break assignments into manageable steps.
• Difficult patient interactions – Some patients may be uncooperative or frustrated. Stay professional, practice empathy, and ask for guidance when needed
• Handling constructive criticism – Feedback is part of the learning process. Instead of taking it personally, use it as a tool to refine your skills and improve patient care.

Facing these challenges head-on builds confidence and prepares you for real-world nursing.

How Alliant Nursing Programs Help You Thrive in Clinicals

The nursing programs at Alliant International University are designed to help students thrive during clinical rotations. By offering a blend of hands-on training and clinical experiences, these experiences provide a realistic, immersive environment where students can practice essential skills before working with real patients.

With cutting-edge simulation labs and expert instructors, Alliant ensures students are prepared to handle the complexities of patient care.

In addition to practical training, Alliant offers:

• A robust support system
• Mentorship from experienced nurses and faculty
• Access to academic resources like a comprehensive online learning platform

The emphasis on personalized support, combined with a comprehensive curriculum, equips students with the knowledge, skills, and resilience needed to succeed in clinical environments and excel in their nursing careers.

Thrive in Clinicals and Beyond 

Thriving in nursing clinicals requires preparation, resilience, and a commitment to growth—several success strategies like staying organized, managing time effectively, and seeking feedback are essential for mastering the clinical experience. With these strategies in place, you can navigate the challenges of clinicals and grow into a skilled nurse.

The bachelor and master nursing programs at Alliant International University are designed to provide the comprehensive training and support needed to excel. With hands-on clinical training, expert mentorship, and a robust support system, we equip students to face clinical challenges with confidence and competence.

Ready to take your nursing journey to the next level? Explore our nursing programs today for success in clinicals and beyond.

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Sources: 

1. “What to Expect DuringNursing Clinicals.” American Nurses Association. November 15, 2023. https://www.nursingworld.org/content-hub/resources/becoming-a-nurse/wha…. Accessed February 28, 2025. 
2. “What to Expect DuringNursing Clinicals.” American Nurses Association. November 15, 2023. https://www.nursingworld.org/content-hub/resources/becoming-a-nurse/wha…. Accessed February 28, 2025. 
3. "Apply for a License.” Arizona Board of Nursing. https://azbn.gov/licenses-and-certifications/apply-license. 2025. Accessed January 12, 2025. 
4. Ariana Speight. “Surviving Your First Clinical.” Elsevier. 2025. https://evolve.elsevier.com/studentlife/blog-post/surviving-your-first-…. Accessed February 28, 2025.