Fellow student problems

[adamsmom]

HI

I am just starting a RN diploma program. I am 42 and work at a LTC on the weekends as an aide.

In my class is a 28 yr old woman that is a nanny, she does not like it when experienced students ask questions she does not understand. For example I asked since we have one patient and we get our bed baths done what do we do with the other 7 hours. She gave me the dirtiest look. She said I am so worried about giving my first bed bath that I would like someone who does not have any experience like me to help me. She does not like the elderly and she does not want to wipe adults backsides. She also said that her first bed bath will take a couple hours. Yesterday at orientation for clinicals after she did her assignment she just stood there. I was reading charts and going on the computer so when clinicals start for real next week I know where to go and what it looks like.

What does she think? She makes me afraid to ask a little more advanced questions she is always making faces and whispering after I do ask a question.

Thanks for listening.

[Jules A, MSN]

And I am middle-aged and not threatened by another's knowledge....I just want to know what my instructor wants me to know and want to learn how she wants me to learn to do things...and with only 2 weeks under my belt, that includes a TON of information right now!!

:uhoh21:

No flame of course but just a heads up. I wouldn't discount the "know it alls." The ones with CNA/GNA experience may be a valuable asset to you in practice lab and when clinical starts. The pointers they shared helped me stream line my activities in a huge way. They helped me learn practical transfer techniques and get my bed bath time down to under two hours, lol. Don't forget, classroom lab instruction only covers so much. There is a ton of hands on experience that you don't have and they do. The good news is that by the end of the second semester the learning curve should be even. Good luck.

[WDWpixieRN, RN]

No flame of course but just a heads up. I wouldn't discount the "know it alls." The ones with CNA/GNA experience may be a valuable asset to you in practice lab and when clinical starts. The pointers they shared helped me stream line my activities in a huge way. They helped me learn practical transfer techniques and get my bed bath time down to under two hours, lol. Don't forget, classroom lab instruction only covers so much. There is a ton of hands on experience that you don't have and they do. The good news is that by the end of the second semester the learning curve should be even. Good luck.

No flame taken....thanks!

But just to clarify, my own lab partner is a very young gal who's a CNA in a LTC facility...she has been a wealth of help and knowledge when we're working/practicing together....I really appreciate her self-assurance and HOPE I do get partnered with her when we start clinicals in a week....but she's quiet in class and lets the instructors do their thing while they're trying to do their jobs and the rest of us are grappling to "get" the knowledge they're trying to impart.....

My issue is with people piping up with "my aunt had this happen to her" and "in my facility we do/did this"....yes, it could be helpful learning information, but sometimes it's just interruptive...and it seems to be the same 2 or 3 over and over and over....

I guess my point just is, there are times when someone with real-world experience can be very helpful, but there are people who feel the need often and without consideration, to let the rest of us know how much they know (or maybe making sure our instructors know)....just something to think about...I'm not saying it necessarily is what's going on here!!

[ALT]

Well I will give you my 2 pennies on this.

We have one in our class too. Honestly don't sweat it. They will either get their attitude in check or their attitude will get them booted out the door. Don't let her bother you at all. Ignore her the beat you can and keep asking your questions. It'll only hurt you if you don't ask the things you are not sure about.

I have a girl in my class that out of 6 classes she has been an hour late for 4 of them. I swear to God she wears 2 inch heels to class everyday too. Wed. we had to wear shorts and a tank top so we could simulate bed baths and there she was in her stilettos. I am a little worried to see what she is going to dress like for clinicals. Although if she continues to be late she will be gone before we get that far.