Judge the action, not the person.

[tachybradyRN]

This whole semester, I've dealt with different nurses on two different floors. I feel like every time we get to post-conference after two days of clinical, half the students in my class spend the time criticizing the nurses, nurses' aides, and other staff. I understand that things are not always done the way they were taught in nursing school; for example, first semester, bed baths ALWAYS ALWAYS meant a basin of warm water, soap, a few wash clothes, a towel and a couple pairs of gloves. True, I prefer to give bed baths this way, as it's what I was taught and what I'd prefer to receive if I were the patient. However, the hospital we're working at doesn't stock washclothes or bar/liquid soap; instead, the nurses/nurses' aides use warmed presoaked washing cloths. I've heard all sorts of comments about nurses' actions and nurses' aides actions, and yes, it is true that things have happened that I don't agree with... but I make it a point to advocate for the patient and realize that the nurse or nurses' aide may just be having an off day! I don't automatically dismiss a nurse just because she forgot something or did something differently than I would have. If I am concerned about his/her actions affecting my patient's safety and well-being, I'll say something. I think it's really important to remember that we're all human, no one is infallible, and every one screws up sometimes. It's a fact of life!

How do you all feel about this? Do you find yourself (and other students) judging more the person, or the person's actions?

[BeenThereDoneThat74, MSN, RN]

Wow, I feel like you were listening in on my post conferences

This very issue seems to consume a lot of our conference time. Some of my students seem to be fixated on this. Like today, I asked one student to discuss what was going on with her pt. She immediately started talking about the nurses attitude. I feel like a broken record, talking about how nobody is perfect, and we all have bad days, and that no matter what I teach my students, you will do what you want to (or have to) to survive once you get out there. And yes, they are starting to judge the nurses. The nurses on out unit were overwhelmed this week, and I know the students could not quite appreciate this.