I'm getting a student!

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I haven't had a student follow me around in quite awhile, so I thought it would be valuable to ask all of you -- students and nurses who've had students -- what's the best way to get the most out of the experience?

If you're a nurse and you've done this before, how did you do it and what would you do differently?

If you're a student, what would you like to achieve?

You all have such excellent ideas here, I'd like to give the students I work with the very best of my expertise. :)

Specializes in Utilization Management.

Thanks, everyone. I'm going to make a list of websites and books for him/her because it's the last part of the program and they'll be expected to do a lot of stuff. Any thoughts on that?

This is the last clinial before graduation, so it'll be pretty overwhelming and pretty intense.

Specializes in Tele, ED/Pediatrics, CCU/MICU.

First off, thank you for being so open to teaching! I'm in a position where I can answer your question from a few different perspectives. I was a student RN, am now precepting in the ED as a new grad, and have had a student RN follow me to observe only.

From the nursing student perspective:

It's great when....

-The nurse who is in charge of your patients quizzes you a bit

-Can recognize on some level that you are almost like unmolded clay, and they can have a HUGE positive impact on your skills and ability to adapt and learn. Student=Sponge.

-Utilizes positive reinforcement

-The student is able to verbalize their needs and comfort zone before attempting anything, and the supervising nurse respects that boundary and allows the student to perform procedures and such but keeps the experience safe (although this is very hard in the fast paced hospital environment, but just do your best)

-The nurse uses the "Tell me how you would do...." method (ex: hang this antibiotic) Fill in the blanks, help he/she do it, and next time, let them try to fly alone if you feel they are competent. These little experiences are building blocks for the student, who will eventually be able to put them all together and make it through a shift safely

Its not so great when...

-The nurse knows you have never done an IM, and sees you standing there, but goes and gives the shot anyway because she is in a rush. Tell the student you have to move quick, but as long as she sticks by and listens and watches closely, you'll give her all the opportunities you can

-The nurse ignores you :(

-The nurse does not evaluate the student's abilities, and thus no progress is made. Ask the student what they have done in school or work, get an idea of where they are at, and push them to move forward and learn new skills.

-Nurse uses student as an extra aide... only appropriate if student does not work as one; this is a necessity IMO if this is the case!

From the preceptee perspective (as a new grad):

Its great when...

-Your preceptor has experience and is comfortable enough to offer direct answers to your technical and physiology based questions

-Your preceptor treats you as a human being, takes an interest in you, and makes you feel protected and worth it....and yet still makes you want to prove yourself and be great

-Provides tough love, and follows it up with positive reinforcement when you correct your actions

-Stays nearby, but gives you room to do what you can; be there for questions, but hang back and let them work at their own pace safely.

It's not so great when....

-The preceptor is emotionally cold and does not talk with the preceptee. This makes the preceptee feel isolated and like a burden to the preceptor

-Does not give the preceptee room to try out their skills and instead does everything for the preceptee

-Does not offer an explanation or a "dry run" before the preceptee does a task for the first time (i.e., I had given one IM med in school, and when I had to give one at work, my memory was not refreshed, and my preceptor and I were in a rush... and needless to say, the site was a little off...preceptor apologized afterwards for not assessing my skills, gave me a little whack on the arm and a "What the heck was that?!", and then gave me a great explanation)

-Treats you like an outsider

I hope that helps!

Thanks again for taking on patients, families, coworkers, management, and a student all at once, on top of your outside life :)

Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

Reading another response reminded me of one last thing to add to your already long list...

If you're student is doing exceptionally well (or not so exceptionally well) communicate that to his/her clinical instructor. It's great for the student to hear it from you, but even better when the instructor hears it from you.

Specializes in Neuro.
Thanks, everyone. I'm going to make a list of websites and books for him/her because it's the last part of the program and they'll be expected to do a lot of stuff. Any thoughts on that?

This is the last clinial before graduation, so it'll be pretty overwhelming and pretty intense.

Eh, depending on if the student has other classes in addition to the clinical, giving out books and websites might be a little overwhelming. Hopefully the student will already have the basic knowledge about all of these things before walking in the door if this is the last part of the nursing program. I'm in an accelerated program and am taking 18 credit hours in addition to my preceptorship, so I think if my preceptor gave me books and websites to review in addition to all my other course work, I would cry. :(

I think the most important thing is to talk to the student about their expectations, things they want to see/do, things they feel insecure about, etc. Provide support, but also provide some independence. Be available to the student when they need you but let them handle things they feel comfortable with.

The most valuable things I have learned in my preceptorship are the things aside from patient care, like when is it appropriate to call a provider, how to do an admission and discharge, how to obtain consent for procedures, etc. All that "extra" nurse stuff that regular nursing students usually don't do during their rotations. Have them give you report to see if they know what is important to mention. Quiz them on the rationale for interventions/meds/treatments. Allow them to follow patients to watch interesting procedures if possible.

Hope this helps :)

As long as the students are able to do the procedure due to thier school specifications I would make them. It will only help them in the long run tyo be competent and efficient on the floor. That being said you don't have to mean about and have some sense of tact, you have to remember that you were in that position one day. They as you are under alot of stress to learn al ot in a short period of time and the repetition will only help them

Collin

+ Add a Comment