This is like going to war...

meandragonbrett · Sep 4, 2010

I knew nursing was hard but I didn't realize there was so much internal conflict among nurses. Lord help us ALL! I'm going to see a therapist BEFORE my clinicals. :grn:

Maybe you should stick to the student forums then?

diamondmeadows, BSN, RN · Sep 4, 2010

Don't get too worked up before you even start; especially not because of what you are reading here, where people come to vent about their extremely stressful jobs and clinicals. Also, remember that sometimes people act like wild animals on the internet and say things they would never say in real life.

Let me summarize my nursing school experience: overwhelmingly positive. Maybe I am the exception, but I have a feeling there are many people like me out there. We just don't speak up as much because we don't feel the need to vent about our good times. Almost all of my instructors were wonderful and supportive. I met some truly outstanding nurses and nursing assistants during clinicals. My preceptor during my last semester was so amazing that I nominated her for an award at my school, which she received. There really are good people out there who want you to succeed!

Yes, you will run into some rude or unhappy people sometimes, but your own attitude goes a long way. Stay positive, and do your best to learn everything you can while simultaneously staying out of the way and helping the staff as much as possible. You have a job to do as a student nurse, but the nurses are very busy with very important work and patients are at the top of their priority list, not students. It's important to keep in mind that you are a guest on the floor, and you are not entitled to anything. I found that I was always able to get along with the staff by being polite, cheerful, and helpful. Usually, after you are on a floor for a while, you will learn who likes to teach and you can seek those people out, while avoiding the ones who don't really want to deal with you.

I admit that once in a while you may get stuck with a nightmare nurse and there is nothing you can do to make things better. When this happens, try not to take it personally, and remember that it will be over soon. It's hard, especially if you're sensitive (I am!) but you can get through it. As long as you're not doing anything annoying, you know that it's that nurse's personal problem, not yours.

Sorry that was so long. I just really want to emphasize that you MUST not get stuck in a trench of negativity and take that attitude into your experiences. Give it a chance first! It may be a somewhat bumpy ride, but you can make the best of it. Millions of us have!

I wish you the best of luck in school! Try to have fun.

Tait, MSN, RN · Sep 4, 2010

There is a lot of frustration, negativity, and stress in nursing. Luckily, and hopefully, most of it ends up on the text of this website and not in lateral violence on the floor. Though I will agree I have taken a break from the site lately because of increasing tensions and hostility, I often don't feel safe saying anything on here anymore.

Tait

PS. DOn't forget about the trolls mucking things up as well :)

cindybf · Sep 4, 2010

okay, i have been reading posts today and i have to say o...m...g....!!! :igtsyt:
you can be mad at this post and say:
-i'm just a student
-wait til i'm in the trenches
-i just don't know what it's like
-etc., etc., etc.
but the negativity towards students and new nurses, or anyone who doesn't side with an experienced nurse is just outrageous!
nursing school is not going to be easy, this i know...but i keep reading where experienced nurses who are teaching new nurses are so mean and miserable. how they just feel that teaching is such a burden, student nurses are nothing but problems, and they don't bring anything to the table. oooooommmmgggg!!!
the judgment and generalizations towards different groups of people are just sad and disappointing. deal with each person, student, or new nurse individually. we all have faults, problems, and burdens..no one is an exception.
i sincerely hope, that whoever i am put under to learn truly has the will and patience to teach someone else. i would hope and pray i get someone who really does want to teach and lead. :bowingpur
at times i have seen some more seasoned, patient, and positive responses, and i try to learn and absorb what i can from them, because some of you guys give very good advice and insight. on the other hand, i have also seen the opposite.:chair:
i knew nursing was hard but i didn't realize there was so much internal conflict among nurses. lord help us all! i'm going to see a therapist before my clinicals. :grn:

it seems like they want you to sign something that says: "yes i promise when i have been a nurse for a year i will hate my career, the hospital administrators and i will come to this board to say so with pride because its everyone elses fault" yeah ok then.

cindybf · Sep 4, 2010

Maybe you should stick to the student forums then?

No, I think I will stay right here, thanks though

Getreal2011 · Sep 4, 2010

Don't get too worked up before you even start; especially not because of what you are reading here, where people come to vent about their extremely stressful jobs and clinicals. Also, remember that sometimes people act like wild animals on the internet and say things they would never say in real life.
Let me summarize my nursing school experience: overwhelmingly positive. Maybe I am the exception, but I have a feeling there are many people like me out there. We just don't speak up as much because we don't feel the need to vent about our good times. Almost all of my instructors were wonderful and supportive. I met some truly outstanding nurses and nursing assistants during clinicals. My preceptor during my last semester was so amazing that I nominated her for an award at my school, which she received. There really are good people out there who want you to succeed!
Yes, you will run into some rude or unhappy people sometimes, but your own attitude goes a long way. Stay positive, and do your best to learn everything you can while simultaneously staying out of the way and helping the staff as much as possible. You have a job to do as a student nurse, but the nurses are very busy with very important work and patients are at the top of their priority list, not students. It's important to keep in mind that you are a guest on the floor, and you are not entitled to anything. I found that I was always able to get along with the staff by being polite, cheerful, and helpful. Usually, after you are on a floor for a while, you will learn who likes to teach and you can seek those people out, while avoiding the ones who don't really want to deal with you.
I admit that once in a while you may get stuck with a nightmare nurse and there is nothing you can do to make things better. When this happens, try not to take it personally, and remember that it will be over soon. It's hard, especially if you're sensitive (I am!) but you can get through it. As long as you're not doing anything annoying, you know that it's that nurse's personal problem, not yours.
Sorry that was so long. I just really want to emphasize that you MUST not get stuck in a trench of negativity and take that attitude into your experiences. Give it a chance first! It may be a somewhat bumpy ride, but you can make the best of it. Millions of us have!
I wish you the best of luck in school! Try to have fun.

Thank you! You're right...I need to remember this is the "virtual world" not the real world. I still look forward to becoming a nurse. Thank you, for sharing your experience and thanks for the encouragement.

Getreal2011 · Sep 4, 2010

No, I think I will stay right here, thanks though

my thoughts exactly... :up:

Getreal2011 · Sep 4, 2010

There is a lot of frustration, negativity, and stress in nursing. Luckily, and hopefully, most of it ends up on the text of this website and not in lateral violence on the floor. Though I will agree I have taken a break from the site lately because of increasing tensions and hostility, I often don't feel safe saying anything on here anymore.
Tait
PS. DOn't forget about the trolls mucking things up as well :)

You know that's true...better here than out there. Ohh that's what a "troll" is! I kept seeing people say, "oh it's probably a troll" but I didn't know what that was.

pumpkin455 · Sep 4, 2010

I agree with GetReal,

I had a good experience in nursing school as well, but my life as a nurse has been 10x better. I enjoy my job and work with a great team. Sometimes I think it is easier to focus on the negative rather than the positive..that doesn't mean you have to! I love having students with me, because I remember that was just me a year ago. I try to teach things that I wish I had been taught. It is always nice to have a second set of hands as well! :-)

Getreal2011 · Sep 4, 2010

It seems like they want you to sign something that says: "Yes I promise when I have been a nurse for a year I will hate my career, the hospital administrators and I will come to this board to say so with pride because its everyone elses fault" Yeah ok then.

yes, and that is just sad...

allnurses Guide · Sep 4, 2010

Troll= one who posts a deliberately provocative message to a newsgroup or message board with the intention of causing maximum disruption and argument-

Urban Dictionary: troll