Things I Wish I Knew Before My First Clinical Duty

A raw and honest post sharing lessons, mistakes, and surprises from my early experiences.

Having a duty in a hospital—especially for the very first time—is really scary. No matter how many lectures you've attended or checklists you've memorized, nothing truly prepares you for the pressure of taking care of an actual patient.

I still remember my first duty at Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC). I was overwhelmed. When I was assigned a patient, I didn’t even know where to begin. I felt like a child lost in a mall—confused, panicking, and crying for help (well, emotionally crying).

One of my earliest mistakes was not knowing how to check the IV level properly. I got scolded by my Clinical Instructor (CI) because they said it was already taught during skills lab—but the truth is, they only ran through it quickly. We weren’t really guided hands-on, so it didn’t stick. It was humiliating, but it also opened my eyes to the gaps I needed to fill.

To make things worse, my patient had a diagnosis that was completely unfamiliar to me—Pericardial Effusion. I had no idea what that was. I know phones aren’t allowed during duty, but I was desperate. I actually went to the CR just to Google what it was and what kind of nursing interventions were needed. That's also where I found out that her diet was for chylothorax, and again, I didn’t know what that meant either.

Some CIs are very supportive—but unfortunately, some expect you to know everything. And if you ask something they think you should already know, you might get scolded or feel belittled. That’s what made me hesitant to ask questions, even when I really wanted to learn. Instead of gaining knowledge, I gained anxiety. And that’s one of the most frustrating things for a student who just wants to improve.

So, What Do I Wish I Knew Back Then?

1. It’s okay not to know everything—but it’s not okay to stop trying.

You will get overwhelmed. You will feel lost. But what matters is that you try your best to learn and adapt. Take mistakes as lessons, not as reasons to give up.

2. Always review your notes—but also study beyond them.

Real-life scenarios go beyond what’s in your module. So make it a habit to read up on diseases, diets, and interventions—even if they haven’t been discussed in class yet.

3. Don’t be afraid to use available resources—just be discreet and respectful.

If you’re truly clueless about a diagnosis or intervention, and you don’t have someone to guide you, using your phone to research (with permission or in private) can help save the day.

4. Ask questions—but choose your timing and approach wisely.

Try asking your groupmates first, or form your question clearly before approaching your CI. Some instructors appreciate initiative if it’s well thought out.

5. Your confidence will grow over time.

Trust me, every senior student you look up to also started out scared and unsure. You’ll grow with each patient, each shift, and each small success.

Final Thoughts

Being a student nurse is never easy, especially during your first few duties. But don’t let fear stop you from growing. Be brave enough to ask, humble enough to learn, and strong enough to keep going—even after getting scolded. You’re doing something incredible. Just keep pushing forward, one shift at a time.