A GUIDE TO WHAT YOU SHOULD EXPECT YOUR FIRST SEMESTER OF NURSING

PRACTICE AS A NURSING STUDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF

NURSING AND HEALTH STUDIES

Clinical Practice

Stepping into Practice

1) Learning the Fundamentals of Nursing2) Learning the Basics of Health Assessment3) Practicing the Fundamentals of Nursing in

the Lab4) Practicing Health Assessment in the Lab5) Performing the Fundamentals of Nursing in

a Clinical Setting6) Performing Health Assessment in a Clinical

Setting

Learning the Fundamental of Nursing

In Nur 304, Adult Health Nursing I, you will learn the fundamental principles of nursing and of caring for patients. This learning will take place in our state-of-the-art classrooms.

Practicing the Fundamentals of Nursing

In Nur 304, Adult Health Nursing I, you will practice the fundamental principles of nursing and of caring for patients. This practice will take place in one of our state-of-the-art skills labs

Performing the Fundamentals of Nursing

In Nur 304, Adult Health Nursing I, clinical practicum you will perform the fundamental principles of nursing and of caring for patients. This performance will take place in one of the many health provider institutions in Miami-Dade County, such as a hospital or extended care facility.

Examples of Health Care Settings

University of Miami HospitalJackson Memorial Medical CenterMiami Veteran’s Administration Medical

CenterMiami Children’s HospitalMiami Jewish Home for the AgedDoctor’s Hospital

A Nurse’s Toolbox

You will purchase a tote bag prior to your beginning your classes.

This totebag contains all the tools your will need to perform the practice of nursing except for a penlight.

Please purchase a penlight on your own and bring it with you to class and clinical.

Contents of Your Totebag

Custom Tote (hunter green)14 French Suction Catheter (TriFlo) with pair

of latex free gloves2 packs of 8 (4x4) Sterile Gauze Pads1 ABD Gauze Pad (5x9)Alcohol Prep Pads Medium (10 pads)Nitrile Powder Free/Latex Free Sterile Gloves

(size 7.5)Bacteriostatic Sodium Chloride 30 mL VialPaper tape (1x10

Contents of Totebag

Sterile Dressing Change Tray with instruments and abd pad

Normal Saline Irrigation Solution (500 mL)Primary IV tubing Administration Set (73 inches)Soap suds enema bag setTracheostomy Care TraysIrrigation Tray (60mL) Bulb Syringe3 cc syringe (22 gauge, 1.5 inch needle)TB syringe 1 cc (25 gauge) 3 cc syringe (25 gauge)

Contents of Totebag

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Latex FreeFoley Tray (14 french)Stethoscope (hunter green)Blood Pressure Cuff with sphygmomanometerIV start Kit (1 package)2 IV catheters (20 gauge)Secondary Administration Kit (1 set)Demo Dose Pad (for IM, SQ and intradermal

injections) 

Penlight

You will need to purchase a penlight

University of Miami School of Nursing Scrubs

You will also need the proper attire to carry out your work.

Here is a photo of the “scrubs” that will identify you as a University of Miami. You may purchase them at a reduced rate through the Office of Student Services or purchase them at the UM Bookstore

Cane Nurse

Skills Laboratory

You are now ready to enter the skills lab at the UM School of Nursing and Health Studies. Welcome!

Finally, accompanied by one of our many expert clinical faculty you will go with approximately 9 other of your nursing student classmates to a hospital where you will commence your practice as a nurse.

Welcome to UM School of Nursing and Health Studies

We are happy to have you as a student and stand ready to help you step into your new career as a BSN Registered Nurse.

Please feel free to ask for any help you may need in making this exciting transition into the field of Professional Nursing

The Faculty