From a nursing student to nurses...

[Staragate]

THANK YOU!!!

I'm in my third semester (psych/OB/Peds) and have been assigned to a lot of different nurses by this point. I have been guided, mentored and encouraged by some wonderful nurses and pcts. Even nurses I meet outside of clinical love to quiz me, encourage me and give me advice.

I appreciate the chances to practice my skills and observe when something is over my head. When I'm on a floor and the nurse seems overwhelmed, I tell her that I want to make her day easier. I am one of those who jump in for transfers, hygiene, and distracting the confused patient.

Nurses eating their own? I don't think so. :hug: I understand it's tough in this job market, but I think this career is worth it.

[brillohead, ADN, RN]

I always make sure to thank the nurses, CNAs/PCTs, and patients at the end of every clinical day. Every now and then you'll come across a nurse who doesn't particularly care to be precepting, but by and large my experience has been that they'll make a point to show you something, let you do things, and the nurses and CNAs appreciate that extra body to take vitals, answer call lights, do morning care, etc. This week the CNA thanked me right back when I thanked her, because my being there reduced her load and allowed everyone to have more quality time with the patients.

And I do stop in and say goodbye to my patients and thank them for letting me work with them that day. They have a right to refuse care by a student, and I appreciate them being willing to give me a chance to care for them.

One thing that my clinical instructor does, which I think should be standard practice in every learning facility, is to only assign students to RNs who don't mind having students around. Certain people, either due to past experiences, personality quirks, or whatever, just aren't good preceptor material -- intentionally NOT assigning students to those nurses makes for a more effective and enjoyable experience for all involved.