Well it is official. The Charleston Gazette printed a big story on this fact in todays paper. WV has the lowest rate for passage of the NCLEX test of all 50 states. The Gazette stated that every school in the state but two had decreased passage rates despite taking the best and brightest students they could get. Every school is attempting to increase their passage rates and re-evaluate their programs. Of course, every school is saying the need for instructors is critical. So, anybody have any thoughts on this subject?
It has been forever since I went to school. My cousin is in nursing school now, she has called me several times, seeking assistance. When I tell her what I see as a problem, she freaks out. When we discuss skills, she freaks out. This girl will graduate in May, and to me, she has no idea what to do or how to do it. She is a honor student, has gone to all clinicals, and is very bright. I am at a loss on what to tell her. I just know I do not want her as a nurse for me or my family. Too many times when I have attempted to show her an area she is missing in a care plan, or I have attempted to give her advice, tips on assessments or skills, she says "we do not do that now."
So, what do younger nurses do now? Have basic nursing practice's changed so much?
About a year ago, when care plans really became an issue with her group, several older nurses were asked to assist these students, we met, were broke up into groups, started working on different patients and their care plans. I was amazed, no one had a idea of how to formulate a nursing diagnosis, set realistic nursing interventions, set time defined improvments or set realistic evaluation periods. Lets just say patient teaching, developing tips for coping skills for patients and the family, and long range patient goals were not even covered. Am I nuts? This is how I nurse, sure I fall short at times, but how in the world do these girls expect to come out of school and take care of patients if they have no plan, no interventions, no evaluations, no goals, or no patients teaching? How do you not know some basic problems patients face with a disease?
Sorry this is so long guys, but I am truly baffled. I am scared too. I just do not know what nursing is these days, at least, around here.