Question from a nursing student - Page 3

For us:

1. If you're nervous, let us know! It's okay to be nervous, and a good preceptor will reassure you and try to put you at ease. I can't stand quaking, quiet little students who pretend to know what they're doing. WE KNOW YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING. Just have a sense of humor and willingness to laugh at your nervousness and be honest.

2. Don't cock off and tell US what "the latest research/guideline" is, or that you "did this differently" at your old LPN/CNA job or whatever. You're on our turf, to do things our way, if you have a problem with it take it up with your instructor.

3. Speak up and OFFER help, don't only do the things on your checklist, assignment or care plan. If you see an overflowing trash bin, empty it or call someone to. If you're running to the supply closet ask if anyone needs you to grab anything. If a patient who's not yours needs something, get it for them. If you see a nurse working through her break offer to grab her a granola bar or something. THESE are the students I know will really make it in nursing, the truly compassionate who go above and beyond.

For YOU:

1. Don't hold your pee and get a UTI.

2. Stock your pockets at start of shift! Alcohol pads, pens, tape, etc.

3. Relax. This is not that hard, and if it is, consider doing something else.

How long have you been waiting to work the phrase "wild dingos" into conversation? Well done

NEVER interrupt a nurse doing a medication pass or a nurse(s) doing a narcotic count.
Try to not interrupt during shift change/report (unless of course it is a vital situation such as the patient in room 101 has no pulse or can't breathe)
Respect is a two way street, you have to give it to get it.

Be eager to learn. Ask if there is anything you can do to help. If I ask you to do something don't say "I already know how to do it". So do I, but it still needs to be done.

When you are not doing anything, go through the clean utility and learn where things are. So when I need something you can grab it. That is a great help.

Don't tell me how you don't want to be a nurse, and you are only doing this because you have to because you are going to be a NP or CRNA. Then expect me to bend over backwards to teach you about this profession that I love. Nothing will get me to lose interest in you faster.

Don't act like you are too good to wipe up <blank>. It is an important part of my job, and although sometimes it may be unpleasant, it needs to be done. If you won't wipe it up now, then you probably won't do it if you are employed here, which means more work for me, so why would I want to help you.

If you want to know something, speak up. Something that might interest you might be something I take for granted. I had an LPN student working around me some time back. I was giving meds and she was interested in the act-o-vials Solumedrol came in, and the spring loaded syringes for the Fragmin. I wouldn't have thought to show her if she hadn't asked me about them.

If you don't know, ask. I don't expect you to know everything. I don't mind answering questions. If I ask you to do something, and you are unsure about it. ASK. Don't do it wrong, or half way, and leave it for me to find later like a landmine.

Most of all, enjoy yourself. Clinicals were the funnest part of nursing school.

I hope it goes without saying that the patient always comes first! Whether it is your patient or not. If you have a trusting relationship with the nurse you are working with, most of us will go out of our way to let you help with a dressing change or procedure. But if giving you a better clinical experience involves skimping on any aspect of my own patient care (remember I have several), then I won't do it. I love the students that are proactive and helpful, but can tell if I am super busy and know when to step back if needed.

Dont be afraid to ask questions! You are a guest on the unit so please keep your cell phone in your pocket on silent, your shoes on your feet and food in the break room. Spend time with the patient and not in the office on facebook. I dont know you dont know something unless you tell me. If you are going to chart something, show me really quick or ask me for advice before charting. I want students to succeed and learn as much as they can while they are with us.

If you are there to observe, please do so.
If you are there to participate then please make rounds and help answer lights.

Do your best. You cant go wrong by asking the nurse how you can help or for direction.

so far in clinical I have had wonderful nurses and cna's to work with. I have been able to work with more than "my" patient so there have been many extra learning opportunities for me.I appreciate the RNs taking time out to help me and answer my questions so I in turn am willing to do small things for them to help out. Today I took popsicles to the freezer for my RN and answered 2 phone calls for her because she asked me to. I was glad to do it because she helped me by keeping me hopping caring for pts, after all, Im there to work and learn and an RN who is willing to step up and teach me when my instructor is with another student, is very much appreciated by me I always thank my RNs and CNAs for working with me because I do understand it is hard to do your "normal" work and keep in touch with a student too. Of course, we take care of our pt's VS and baths so that takes a bit of the load from the staff, and that goes a long way in building respect I think. If they throw something at us we go for it, whether we have done it or not. As a matter of fact, our instructor wants us to give meds multiple times.Once is ok if thats all the chance you get but if more is offered jump at it.

Hi, I had a question:

What is an adverse effect of Atrovent that resolves over time?

Remember that while you're in school, going for a grade, I'm here at work, going for a paycheck. If I can't help you THIS.VERY.MINUTE. it's because, as you might be aware, I have a job. I love my job. I waited a blasted year to get this job and I'm going to hold onto it for dear life!!!

Please don't second guess me, especially in front of a patient.

If I don't know the answer, or I make a mistake, guess what- I'm human. Please don't go right over to your little gaggle of friends and gossip and whisper about how "OMG, she didn't know what THAT thing was for! Tee hee hee!"

No...actually you don't know all about this or that....you can never insert too many foleys. I only inserted ONE foley during nursing school, and that was back when I was in LPN school.

I hear "Why" repeatedly from my 3 year old...I don't know if I can handle repeated "why's" coming from a 20 something year old.

What makes us (or me, specifically) happy:
A thank you goes a long way. I'm not asking for a thank you card, just a simple "thank you for showing me that" or "thank you for showing me a different way of doing that"