have any of you have student nurses follow you?

pagandeva2000, LPN · Nov 20, 2006

I have been a LPN for a while, but recently I had to have
RN students follow me around. What are your experiences with this?

I have had this, and I am a new LPN (5 months experience). I teach them the way that I want to be taught. Bottom line is that they are in the same boat that I was 6 months ago, and they are equally as afraid as I am, and I am honest with them. Many times, they are shocked at 'real world nursing' versus textbook, and when they speak to me, they get the truth, but in a tactful way. I admit, that I don't always care for it...it depends on who the student is...but, I work at a teaching hospital. WHat I find as interesting is that they would actually place an RN student with an LPN, when the focus is a bit different.

Fiona59 · Nov 21, 2006

Work at a teaching hospital and have had both RN an PN's with me and my patients.

Just do your job and answer the questions to the best of your ability. Point out that as an RN they will be able to do "insert here" that your scope of practice does not permit you to.

Only ever had one RN student object to being paired with a PN and her instructor soon set her straight.

General E. Speaking, RN, RN · Nov 22, 2006

Actually had 2 students follow me on Friday (SVN) and then 2 again on Tuesday (SN). It was great, but I like students. As a LVN of 17 years, I feel I have a lot to offer any student. I also think it is good for RN students to follow an LVN because it shows them that we are our patient's advocate and an important part of the healthcare team.

I helped one start her very first IV and they got to experience a post op pt of mine who had a lot of sedation in the OR. After she was settled in her bed, I realized that her resp rate was 2/min- eek! Spoke with the surgeon a few times. I gave Narcan, removed her basal off of the PCA, gave another dose of Narcan and continually monitored her for a good while and eventually her resp rate came up to 11.

IrishItalianRN · Nov 23, 2006

OMG 2/min??????????

I just want to thank all of you nurses that take the time and have patience with us Nursing Students! We appreciate you more than you know! :smilecoffeecup:

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Nov 23, 2006

I am a newer LVN with less than 1 year of experience. I am regularly paired with SVNs as they do their clinical rotations, and I'm always nice to the students. After all, I hated that the experienced floor nurses were rude to me when I was a student last year.

IrishItalianRN · Nov 23, 2006

I am a newer LVN with less than 1 year of experience. I am regularly paired with SVNs as they do their clinical rotations, and I'm always nice to the students. After all, I hated that the experienced floor nurses were rude to me when I was a student last year.

and we thank you for it! :bow:

mel1977 · Nov 27, 2006

even when I was a rehab aid/tech/nurse asst. I had students follow me. most are doing fundamentals and learning basic care-then some will follow the charge nurse which could be me as I do that as well. Mostly, they are assigned a patient. I pass meds now and don't have them follow me, but they do get my blood sugars!

tiroka03, LPN · Nov 27, 2006

I have had good and awful experiences. Most students are ready to learn and excited to be trying out their new skills. But, there are those who believe the patient they are assigned to is theirs alone. They don't feel it is neccessary to speak with me, only the RN who oversees my patients. They will dissapear when the pt has to go the the bathroom, because they believe thats my role. I take great pride in my work, and am responsible for my patients. This is my job, and at times a resent sharing it with people who can't be bothered with bathing, tolieting, and room order. These students have one patient, and do the strangest things. Some colleges train their students better. I do remember how I felt as a student, and do my best to assist and be there for the students. However this feeling of compassion is beginning to wear thin.

I am looking for help in maintaining my intregrity as a nurse, and my attitude with students. I feel like my liscense is on the line, because I can't be in every room at all times with the students, and frankly at times I am appalled at the decisions some students make. For instance, I walked into a room where a student was washing a wound with the same water she cleaned bm from. Or once I found a student who threw a chest tube pt into the shower. I feel like this is risky buisness.