Couple of Questions

Nursing Students General Students

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my first question that I have for you guys is about communication. During my first semester clinicals I felt that I struggled with communication with my patients while I was at the bedside, I felt that I improved as the semester wore on but I would like some tips on how to further improve on my communication skills while I am with that patient.

Secondly I would like to know how important grades are while looking for a job. what kind of GPA are employers looking for when you send in a resume? Right now I am holding just below a 3.0 for my first semester. what kind of grades do employers look for while in the hiring process?

If you guys could help me out that would be great! thanks.

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

I haven't seen employers ask for your GPA, but I have heard that residency programs sometimes ask for transcripts. Also, if you decide to go further with your education, your nursing GPA will absolutely be a factor.

What do you feel is the barrier with communication with your patients? Is it a lack of confidence, lack of comfort, not knowing what to say, having a hard time with their life choices? If you can break it down more, that can help. :)

Congratulations on surviving your first semester!!! Woot woot!!

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when I was a student, if I had nothing else, I showed confidence going into the patients rooms.

Hi, I'm Krisiepoo and I'm a student nurse. You're one of the lucky patients who get lots of attention today because you get me, my instructor AND your regular nurse giving you attention so don't be afraid to call for anything you need. Some people seem afraid of students because we didn't know as much but if you go in and diffuse the situation, act confident and get their questions answered, you are ahead of the game.

I like making small talk. I have animals and that generally gets brought up at some point, as a student you have more opportunities to suss out the situation and find out if they're in a talky mood. I've heard from a lot of people that a non-clinical touch is so important because while they're hospitalized no one touches them. If their feet were dry when I checked out their pulses, I'd offer to put lotion on them.

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thanks for responding.

I think it is a little bit of lack of confidence and comfort. When I go intoa patients room I always say who I am what im doing, you know the usual for a student. I then go onto do what ever I am going to do, bed bath, VS, H&P, bed change, ambulation, physical assessment, etc.. When I am doing these cares I always explain what I am going to be doing what it is for, why I have to do it etc, during this time I do make some small talk with the patient, I.E, pain level, kinds/grandkids, family, sports, life, what they are watching, but after that I find my self in a time of awkward silence in the room while I am either finishing up what I am doing charting etc. well this silence makes me more nervous than I already am and makes my hand shake and I start to sweat, sometimes the patient notices sometimes not. Any advice from you nurses out there? I just want to be able to become more comfortable infront of my patient and that will help me do my cares better without being so nervous. My next semester will be OB&nuor/psych. I just want to be on top of the game for when I start in the fall! any advice from you guys would be great thanks!

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

communication gets easier as you learn the disease processes better. The most important information you want to know is how they feel right now, do they understand the side effects of meds and do they know how to do self care when they are discharged. The rest is filler.

As for grades - employers are looking for a license. Grades matter for school only. The higher your grades the more overall information you are retaining, the better your chances of passing NCLEX. Also, you may decide to further your education at some point and will want a good grade average. That said, stressing out over not getting a 4.0 is ludicrous.

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Communication got easier for me when I started talking to the patient first about non medical subjects. When I first go into a patients room, I strike up conversations about what they are watching on TV, their grandkids, anything. I look around for clues about subjects to talk about. When all else fails, I start with "where are you from", "what do/did you do for a living". This helps build a rapport with the patient, gets their mind off things, and gets the nurse a little more relaxed.

As far as GPA goes... the nurse residency I was in asked for transcripts, AND we were granted points off of our GPA. This just meant that people with a lower GPA had to work harder for points in other areas of review such as the interview, the skills demonstration, the communication exercise or the critical thinking exam.

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I'm a 3rd semester BSN student and just got a PCT job. With a lot of things (vitals, baths, transferring, etc) - the more I do them, the easier they become. Patient communication is one of those things. I take cues from my patients. Some want to talk my ear off and others hardly have 2 words to say. I always introduce myself and tell them my role. I start shift doing vitals and pain assessment (0-10) is one of those things. A lot of time conversation spins from there "oh I'm sorry you have had a rough morning so far. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you today (bath/reposition/ginger ale/whatever)" or "that's great that you are not in pain today - got anything planned for today?" Etc talk about what's on the TV, how was breakfast, what PT they have scheduled for the day, the weather, who the visitor is In the room, whatever. Good luck! Keep practicing!

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