Dear Nurse...

Nursing Students General Students

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Dear nurse,

I know that your tired, overworked, understaffed, and under appreciated. I realize that you are missing time with your family. I just wish you wouldn't show your disgust, and sigh with rolled eyes the moment you see me round the corner..I know I slow you down..I know that I create twice the work for you, but just stop for a moment and appreciate that someday I could be your coworker, sharing your load,watching your patients while you have lunch...so, please take time to give me a good clinical experience......

Thank you

Worn out nursing student

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

((HUGS)) I'm sorry your are experiencing this....nurses right now are so overwhelmed, but that is not your problem. I hope your next experience is better...:)

Specializes in Med/Surg,Cardiac.

Every nurse you come across won't be like that. I know plenty of nurses who enjoy having a student. You just need to remember that we all have routines that we follow and having a student means our routine has to change. Most people are uncomfortable with change. Hope your next experience is better though!

~ No One Can Make You Feel Inferior Without Your Consent -Eleanor Roosevelt ~

Thanks, I totally get it.. I have worked in a hospital as CNA and unit clerk for years... I have seen crazy...this particular experience you could literally see her roll her eyes and sigh. She did ease up a bit when I correctly answered quite a bit about the type of patients we were caring for. I did mention it in post conference with my instructor and she stated " she doesn't like to place students with that nurse but didn't have a choice this time" so, at least she is aware that clinical experience is lacking...thanks for the support...next rotation is gonna be better!

One good thing is that since you've "been there" at least you won't ever make nursing students feel like that in the future. Good luck with everything, I hope things start going better :)

Specializes in Emergency Medicine.

For every nurse who reacts that way, there is a nurse out there who will take you under her wing and give you a great experience. I had a nurse, a very seasoned one at that, literally throw a fit when my instructor asked if I could work with her, and another student witnessed it. I guess she was upset that she already had a student from my clinical group that day (meaning she would have two). I ended up just working with all of the students, shadowing my instructor I suppose, because I didn't want to upset anyone. Now this semester I am blessed with possibly the best preceptor for my capstone and it truly makes up for the negative experience I had. Take everything as a learning experience!

best of luck

Also remember that you were one not too long ago...

I know this feeling all too well. Some nurses are good and some are awful. We all know what kind of nurse we will be when we have students... Yes, it is stressful. I think the workload of a nurse is crazy. But it is not cool to treat students bad. I have had nurses that made me feel stupid and there are 2 nurses that I will always remember that let me do EVERYTHING while they made sure I was doing it correctly. She would ask me if I knew what to look for when passing Med A, B, C, D. I will always appreciate those experiences and I hope to be able to give back to curious students one day.

I had a terrible experience during my senior practicum. Both of my nurse preceptors were unhappy about having a student and made it clear to me on a daily basis that I was in their way. I dreaded going to clinicals every day, but I survived. It is still fresh in my mind, and now I try really hard to be kind and welcoming to the students I get to work with. I'm told by the instructors that the students fight over who gets to work with me because I'm their favorite. Makes me feel great!

Sorry you're having such a tough experience. Power through and use this experience to be a better preceptor to your students in the future.

Good luck!

Specializes in NICU.

If it makes you feel better, not all nurses are like this! My first semester, the nurses didn't really care too much about us (as described above) but my last semester at a different hospital...180...they LOVED us! Never did I expect them to tell us that THEY appreciated OUR help...seriously depends on where you are and who you run into. So have hope and know that you will never be like the nurse(s) you have seen. :)

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