[LadyHazy]

Is it just me or do protocols for certain stuff vary with the instructor?

We had our sample nurses notes today before we could write the actual with a new instructor and every one of us had to rewrite at least four times (i'm not gonna describe the emotional trauma though haha)! Apparently, what was OK with some instructors is "garbage charting" with others... I'm really bummed... Does anyone know what I can do to get documentation right no matter the instructor? Or do I have to adapt every time?

[calla2114]

Adapt adapt adapt....they will almost all be different and expect different things!!! Kinda go with the flow, ask for specific expectations and then go for it!!

[llg]

You will find variations in practice throughout your career. They are inevitable in a profession in which the final end product is the "performance" of a task or skill.

Think of the practice of nursing as a performing art. If you 10 musicians to play the same song, they will probably play 10 different, unigue ways. Some of the differences will be subtle and some will be dramatically different. Think of dancers ... or painters ... or actors ... etc. Even though they may perform the same artistic work, it is always unique to them.

The "art" of nursing practice is not much different in principle. Within certain general boundaries of safety and established standards, there is a lot of variation in its performance. A brilliant performer/practitioner learns from the masters by first copying them, then combining them in unique ways, and finally building on them to create their own unique interpretation.

[Spidey's mom]

Originally Posted by llg

You will find variations in practice throughout your career. They are inevitable in a profession in which the final end product is the "performance" of a task or skill.

Think of the practice of nursing as a performing art. If you 10 musicians to play the same song, they will probably play 10 different, unigue ways. Some of the differences will be subtle and some will be dramatically different. Think of dancers ... or painters ... or actors ... etc. Even though they may perform the same artistic work, it is always unique to them.

The "art" of nursing practice is not much different in principle. Within certain general boundaries of safety and established standards, there is a lot of variation in its performance. A brilliant performer/practitioner learns from the masters by first copying them, then combining them in unique ways, and finally building on them to create their own unique interpretation.

This is a very eloquent answer . . . .


steph

[Daytonite]

Although a nursing note is supposed to be objective information, the actual composition of it is highly subjective as anyone who has taken an English class can tell you.

1. Get a crystal ball and ask the spirit in the crystal to tell you what the instructor will want. If he/she is cooperative, they'll help you.
2. Meditate and ask your spirit guides to ask your instructor's spirit guides how to write a proper nursing note for her.
3. Go out of your body and travel forward in time to see what nursing note your instructor finally ends up being happy with, memorize it, come back into your body and write the note for her and save yourself a lot of re-writing grief.
4. On the night before your clinics ask for a dream in which you "see" the perfect nurses note for your instructor for the next day.

Laugh if you want, these are all doable.

[WDWpixieRN]

Get used to inconsistencies....we just started out second semester clinicals and one instructor just tore her students' care plans to shreds....ours isn't so concerned about them, we turned them in half done, and she barely commented....

Clinicals were run a bit different by each instructor last semester, tests, checkoffs, whatever are different from person to person....my biggest concern is getting enough knowledge to pass the NCLEX someday, keep my pts safe, and be a more-than-competent nurse...in the meantime, I play the game depending on who's making the rules that day!!

[JaxiaKiley]

We had our first skills check offs today, and after talking to some people in other labs, every instructor wanted different things. Some were really particular about the way we did one thing, while another couldn't care less.

[abundantjoy07]

Yes...every teacher is different. Very different. Some are so lax and others are as strict as they can be. Just learn what they want and do your best. And never say, "Well, Mrs/Mr/Dr. So and So said..." That really annoys teachers and sometimes will bite the other teacher and you in the butt.

[AuntieRN]

Yup....5 semesters....8 different classes with 8 different instructors...8 different ways of charting...crazy...just do what they tell ya to get through it then when you are out on your own...you wont have a clue how to chart...LOL...just kidding...seems you take a piece from each of them and put it all together in your own style. I also agree with babyrn...never tell em what the last one told you to do...I had a girl in one of my clinicals who kept doing this...and was finally (not so politely I might add) informed that her previous instructor was an idiot...then one day in my critical care rotation...my CI said to me...ohhhh you must have had Ms. so and so for clinicals...I can tell by the way you open up the alcohol prep pad...ummmm ok so is there a correct way and an incorrect way to open up the alcohol pad???