Nursing Student Days

I was a very naughty student during my nursing college days. Does not follow the appropriate uniform at times, always arrive late during our scheduled clinical rotations, does not listen to endorsements and sometimes instead of giving appropriate quality nursing care I'll end up spending my duty hours on a "complete bed rest" mode (e.g. sleeping)... Nurses Announcements Archive Article

Nursing Student Days

Once, during a clinical rotation in a medical-surgical ward, a doctor asked a volunteer to check the CR (or the cardiac rate) of an unstable cardiac patient. Willing to impress my instructor because of my earlier mischief during that day (arriving 30 minutes late for our clinical rotation)...I volunteered to do that simple task.

The doctor instructed me to check the CR (cardiac rate) for 1 full minute and to report back to him at once. So, full of confidence and pride at my abilities, I went to the room of the patient. Unfortunately, during that time I dont know what CR meant in the nursing profession. But I know one thing, in the Philippines there is an another meaning for the C.R. abbreviation: Comfort Room.

Now, instead of checking the cardiac rate of the patient, I went directly to the patient's comfort room and assessed his toilet bowl for 1 minute to see if it is functioning properly.

After 1 minute of "proper assessment", I went back with a sense of accomplishment of achieving something out of nothing and I am imagining at that time that my clinical instructor will be proud of me and my past mistakes to her will be forgotten.

After arriving at the nurses station, the doctor asked me "Is my patient's CR (cardiac rate) okay?". I replied her on a matter-of-fact: "Doctor the patient's CR (comfort room) is A-okay, the toilet is flushing and you could use it if you want too.":yeah:

After saying that I noticed that the doctor, my group mates and most of the nursing staff are laughing at me and my clinical instructor's face is flushing with shame and anger.

My Clinical Instructor pull me at one side of the room and told me that the doctor instructed to check the CR (Cardiac Rate) of the patient not his CR (Comfort Room).

So because of that incident, I spent 4 hours of payment duty at that ward during that day as my payment for my mischief and I was known in our graduating class as "Mr.C.R." :D

On our exams, regarding common Nursing Abbreviations ( e.g... ac= ante cebum? before meals), we were asked the meaning CBR s BP ( Complete Bed Rest without Bathroom Privileges). not knowing the meaning what BP stand for... I answered: CBR s BP= Complete Bed Rest without Blood Pressure....:D

tropanium

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oh my god. this is such a funny story. i read this while i was at work and i was almost on the floor laughing my ass off!~~~

:lol_hitti:lol_hitti:lol_hitti:lghmky::lghmky:

:nurse:i really love ur story....and i cant imagine what are d reactions of the staff nurses and ur CI for that....i also from the phil.

Tropanium.. nice experienced that you had during your nursing college days. I really enjoyed reading ur story,so cool!...

hahaha... innocent mistakes!

Specializes in Nursing instructor, Geriatrics.

I did not laugh at this. I am disgusted that you would disrespect the profession of nursing. I am a clinical professor and you would have gotten clinical warnings from me and most likely "failed" clinical. In fact, it sounds like you should have failed clinical. Again, while this may seem funny to some, I blame your instructor for not failing you. What type of a nurse are you today? I wonder!

are you kidding me? its instructors like you with no sense of humor, that would fail a hard working student for a language barrier. you are an instructor, I am glad that i am not in your class. most nurses have sense of humor, which you apparently do not. hmmm let me guess, you also believe that nurses must eat their young?? old school...

gee i wonder what kind of nurse YOU are today? and how many people want to hang out with such a stiffie! get a grip, debbie downer!

Specializes in Nursing instructor, Geriatrics.
are you kidding me? its instructors like you with no sense of humor, that would fail a hard working student for a language barrier. you are an instructor, I am glad that i am not in your class. most nurses have sense of humor, which you apparently do not. hmmm let me guess, you also believe that nurses must eat their young?? old school...

gee i wonder what kind of nurse YOU are today? and how many people want to hang out with such a stiffie! get a grip, debbie downer!

Hi Geniebea,

Let me explain as you have not adequately comprehended what he wrote. First, the student did not wear the proper uniform, arrives late for clinical (that in itself is grounds for clinical warning), doesn't listen to endorsements and "sleeps" during the rotation (that is grounds for clinical FAILURE and not just a warning). Those are the reasons that I wrote what I did. You must look at the entire picture. Then, on top of it he (because of his cocky attitude and not a language barrier) thought he knew what CR was and failed to ask his instructor (again, the cockiness). These are the kind of nurses that we are sending out to the field today? What was it in his story that led you to believe that he was a "hard" working student. I can't find that but if you can point out specifics I am more than willing to read them. And, no I am 46 and not "old" school. I am a mentor, teacher, and a compassionate nurse. And, to show compassion for a student and the profession you may have to fail a student at times. It is for the good of the patient, the profession, and yes, for the student themselves. Also, I think that you should look at how you address fellow nurses as your tone in this communication is troubling. I look forward to your feedback.

FUNNY STORY!

But at the end of the day you really need to be careful. :nono: emember this are human lives we are dealing with; if you are not sure, stop and ask questions.

I am also an international student, and whenever I am not sure, I ask questions. Remember it's your liscence on the line.

I also agree with the Instructor. In my skool, that would be grounds for failure. you should thank your stars....:wink2:

have a blessed day...

I agree with Lstcats, I am not a nurse yet but in my CNA program being late and sleeping during rotation is a sign of irresponsibility.

Specializes in Peds/Neuro/General Med-Surg/epilepsy.

you are exactly the kind of classmate that makes my blood boil! :angryfire everyone else is working so hard just to survive through nursing school, so terrified that if they make one mistake it could be the mistake to fail them or end their career while you joke your way through it. some (like myself) are still working 40 hours a week to maintain bills and we make sure to make it on time and stay awake. i work 12hr nights 7p-7a and go to class @ 830am and i make it on time and do not fall asleep! and before anyone goes there...no i am not a 50 year old nurse. im 25 and single with no kids and a fabulous sense of humor, however, this story is not funny. it is sad. you are disrespectful and i hope you have either a.) learned from this experience and improved you behavior or b.) gotten a job far enough away from me that i dont ever have to worry about working with you.

Specializes in OR, ER, TRAVEL, SURGICARE, WOMENS HOSP.

Mr. LSTCats, I agree. Even though it was very strict when I was in nursing school I am grateful today for filtering-out those students who were not compliant with the standards of dress, behavior, and I believe there is a correlation of good student/good nurse. Thanks