#329: Know These Eight Labs Before Your First Clinical Day

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Your first few clinical shifts in nursing school can feel really overwhelming, especially if you’re heading in without a lot of background knowledge. But, something as simple as understanding some key lab tests will help you interpret your patient’s result and understand important components of their plan of care. 

In this episode I’m breaking down eight key labs to know before your first clinical day in nursing school: 

• Hemoglobin
• Hematocrit
• WBCs
• Platelets
• Sodium
• Potassium
• Creatinine
• Glucose

So hit play on this episode and start clinicals with more confidence and the knowledge you need to create an effective plan of care. If you found this episode helpful, spread the love and share with a classmate or colleague…we’re all in this together!

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Full Transcript – Read the article “Eight Common Labs Explained” and view references

Clinical Success Pack – One of the best ways to fast-track your clinical learning is having the right tools. This FREE pack includes report sheets, sheets to help you plan your day, a clinical debrief form, and a patient safety cheat sheet.

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The information, including but not limited to, audio, video, text, and graphics contained on this website are for educational purposes only. No content on this website is intended to guide nursing practice and does not supersede any individual healthcare provider’s scope of practice or any nursing school curriculum. Additionally, no content on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Last Updated on June 5, 2026 by Maureen Osuna, MSN, RN