VENT: Clinical Instructor for last clinical rotation

Nursing Students General Students

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I had to vent!!!! This is my last clinical rotation in school and my CI has no idea! She had the nerve the other day to ask me what a normal temp was and what I considered a fever. Really? Did I just go back to fundamentals? I am going to be a RN in less than 13 weeks and the best question she could come up with is what I would consider a fever? Not to mention that I was up to 4 patients last semester and am stuck at 2 right now. And she gets to pick them...I can't even pick my own patients. I guess I'm just disappointed because I heard the last semester was the student doing the RN's work with the RN in more of a preceptor role.

I know, I need to ride it out and there is not really anything I can do to change it. But really, where's the challenge??? How am I going to be ready for a job???

Specializes in LTC.

I also feel like my clinical rotation may not prepare me as much as I need for RN school. We only get 2 patients which are also picked out for us. What I do like about my instructor is that she does ask more critical thinking questions. Honestly, I'm just trying to make the best of these 13 weeks and know the true learning will start when I graduate. Clinical is so different from real world nursing. My advice is to make the best of it now and look to hone your skills once you land your first RN job.

On another note: 13 more weeks to go !!!

I also feel like my clinical rotation may not prepare me as much as I need for RN school. We only get 2 patients which are also picked out for us. What I do like about my instructor is that she does ask more critical thinking questions. Honestly, I'm just trying to make the best of these 13 weeks and know the true learning will start when I graduate. Clinical is so different from real world nursing. My advice is to make the best of it now and look to hone your skills once you land your first RN job.

On another note: 13 more weeks to go !!!

Thanks NurseLoveJoy88 - You always have great words of wisdom. I am really trying to make the best of it. Maybe I'm just ready to be done with school and maybe that's my frustruation. I don't know. Sigh.

As to the first people who posted on this thread. I apologize. I didn't mean to come off sounding like I was entitled. It's hard to get the tone of the thread across on an internet forum but entitled was not the way I intended it to sound.

That being said, I didn't post to be attacked either. I have been a member of AN since 2008 and I have never been attacked in this way in a forum. I think it's time for me to take a break from AN and it's overall negative tone in the last year. Thanks to those of you who actually do provide constructive criticism and to those of you who have become good friends. You will be great nurses one day. Good luck to all of you!

Specializes in LTC.
As to the first people who posted on this thread. I apologize. I didn't mean to come off sounding like I was entitled. It's hard to get the tone of the thread across on an internet forum but entitled was not the way I intended it to sound.

That being said, I didn't post to be attacked either. I have been a member of AN since 2008 and I have never been attacked in this way in a forum. I think it's time for me to take a break from AN and it's overall negative tone in the last year. Thanks to those of you who actually do provide constructive criticism and to those of you who have become good friends. You will be great nurses one day. Good luck to all of you!

I think your post was very valid CBsmommy. AN poster can be a little cranky at times, but I always enjoy reading your posts, so no breaks allowed !! JK

Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

I understand if you need to go but will miss you being here. (I was RN2BDFW).

Lots of students in my class who have been upbeat all through are pretty beaten down so far this semester. I think everyone is running low on fuel. We'll get there.

I understand wanting to feel more respected but... At least your CI actually tries to help you learn! I've had 3 semesters now, and I have been allowed me to pass meds a total of 3 times, and I did 1 dressing change, and that is all I have done. Our CIs just want to socialize with the other nurses, we hardly ever see them. I would love it if one of them quizzed us... or even talked to us outside of the pre conference.

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I feel your frustration. When finished with school, you have learned the basics. You will hone your skills in your first job.

BTW, student nurses do NOT have a license so yes, you are working under the CI's license.

Just for clarification's sake.

Specializes in LDRP.

im wondering if when your instructor was asking you about the fever if she was trying to get you to realize something bigger that you were missing? i dont know, i wasnt there... but i feel your pain. my clinical instructor last semester was awful, i didnt learn much of anything from her, but i took an initiative to elarn as much as i could from the floor nurses, and they knew the clinical instructor and knew that she was awful and took the time to help teach us when they could. sadly, one of the peds instructors got a new job, and guess who's filling in as my peds instructor this semester... same awful lady. ughhh.

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