why do some nurses forget that they were once students?

katscan · Mar 10, 2003

Baseline, I don't see anything in the initial posting that should make you go off on her like you did. She is a NEW member for petes sake, and just because she labeled you as grumpy-a nice way to say it, you off calling her "toots" etc. Sorry, but you Do sound grumpy and so what if you don't apologize for it-I see you seem to be proud of being a problem member. I am glad that I don't have to work for you. I have a problem with seasoned nurses name calling!

semstr · Mar 10, 2003

geleesa, I do hope you won't forget it yourself in a few years.

( I know what I am talking about since I am an educator over here and have had 100 of students complaining.........a few years later, I hear complaints about them from the new students!)

NurseShell · Mar 10, 2003

I just thought of something else...when my classmates ask me questions - the kinds of questions they should figure out for themselves...I get irritated with them...SO, I bet that if I ever have a student assigned to me who is "lazy" about doing their research, or just lacks the ability to remember what I already told them I will probably get short with them - just like I do my kids...grrrr....well, let's just hope that between now and then I gain the knowledge and wisdom necessary to tactfully redirect their thinking processes

p.s. this is not directed at the original poster...I was just thinking about the situation and thought of this scenario...no finger pointing here

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Mar 10, 2003

Most of us really do like students.

However, the problem frequently stems from a communication deficit. Your instructor does not tell us that you are coming, that we are precepting you, what your goals are, what you are permitted to do, what you need supervision with, etc., etc., ad nauseum.

I have precepted students (yes, a travelor precepts at times) and have yet to have been warned ahead of time, met with an instructor, been given a list of any of the above. The typical scenario is that I show up to the floor to find a student assigned to two of my patients - that is from Brand X school and at Level Y -with no prep, notice or discussion. It makes it difficult to foster a relationship when one more stressor has just been put in your overburdened lap.

This is not your fault but that of the teaching institution. Unfortunately, this dumps the stress on you, the student, and the nurse.

I also have had directors that will short you a tech/LPN etc. when there are students on the floor - sad and inappropriate - but true. In reality, it is tougher to teach or monitor someone doing something rather than doing it yourself. But units are rarily staffed that way these days. And as I have said on another thread recently - I don't get paid for precepting - and if something goes wrong - I, as an agency nurse, is going to take a hit - or at least bear some responsibility - it doesn't all fall back on the instructor.

As such, it is not that we don't like students, just that frequently the school and facility does not handle the situation well. It is another part of the highly dysfunctional medical community that we all deal with.

Q. · Mar 10, 2003

Originally posted by geleesa
If you didnt "mean to sound grumpy" dont say "grumpy things"
I have a feeling you dont like students.

Here we go again....

DRINK!

katscan · Mar 10, 2003

Very nice, informative post, caroladybelle. I think this is the info she had in mind:)

Q. · Mar 10, 2003

Originally posted by katscan
Baseline, I don't see anything in the initial posting that should make you go off on her like you did. She is a NEW member for petes sake, and just because she labeled you as grumpy-a nice way to say it, you off calling her "toots" etc. Sorry, but you Do sound grumpy and so what if you don't apologize for it-I see you seem to be proud of being a problem member. I am glad that I don't have to work for you. I have a problem with seasoned nurses name calling!

And again! DRINK!

Q. · Mar 10, 2003

Katscan,

If you're wondering where this "drink" thing is coming from it's that these types of threads almost always NEVER go very long without gross generalizations that hurt people's feelings. That's all.

katscan · Mar 10, 2003

Thanks, Susy K. Then I will order up a wonderful tasty adult beverage: a double burbon on the rocks! YUMMM!!! :)

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Mar 10, 2003

I personally am still waiting for my Godiva chocolate martini to waltz its way over from latest RN/LPN thread.

The waiter's tip will reflect this poor service.

sjoe · Mar 10, 2003

"I don't get paid for precepting - and if something goes wrong - I, as an agency nurse, is going to take a hit - or at least bear some responsibility - it doesn't all fall back on the instructor."

Right.

Not paid nor given extra time or a lighter patient load in order to spend time and effort and energy walking students through the steps AND making sure they do things acceptably and safely.

And how about the previous student who was a know-it-all, or the one before that who was lazy and just wanted to get the clinc shift over with--doing and learning as little as possible in order to "pass?"

And the one before that who required full-time personal, emotional support and encouragement and cheerleading, simply to try anything that was suggested?

And the one before that who spend most of her time complaining about school, her instructors, her financial problems, her boyfriend, etc.?

And the one before that who seemed primarily focused on converting the patients to her brand of religion?

And so forth.

These staff nurses "ain't yo' mama."

geleesa · Mar 10, 2003

CAROL

thanks so much for the insight. See our instructors assign us our client and our nurse. I just assumed that they know we are coming. I can understand the fact that you may have a student who is "all thumbs, or whatever" and you may be held responsible for whatever happens, but we too are put in an unfamiliar situation and have to make the best of it w/o 'making any mistakes and on top of that, to have an overbearing, disgruntled, self centered nurse, treat you like you are an inconvience is truley unfair and unprofessional.

I'm not trying to put people in catagories by anymeans (b/c i hate being catagorized ) I just didnt understand why SOME nurses act that way towards students

thanks to all that replied

geleesa