A really good student nurse

[snoopy29]

To be fair student nurses, we are quick enough to tell you when you get it wrong so I thought it would be nice to tell you when you get it right. On my last shift I worked with a 3rd year student nurse. It was one 12 hour shift and yet I knew by the end of that shift that I would like her to work in the department once qualified. She didn't do anything amazing or extroadinary, she wasn't fanstaically clever or skilled, and yet she made a firm positive impression that will last and I just wanted to share why.

I arrive early for shift as I need to allocate and next to arrive was the student nurse Jo. She said hello, introduced herself and put the kettle on (big bonus points there ) She looked smart in her uniform and had her portfolio and was properly equipped for the shift. It's surprising how many nurses will come in for handover eyes down, shuffle in and not say anything. I am sure it must be intimidating but that hello and introduction made a difference.

Her mentor was off so I put her to work with an experienced nurse but in by far the busiest area of the dept. I checked if that was ok. "Yes, I love it in there" she says. I'm thinking "bet you don't think that after 12 hours!!" but also it leaves me feeling that she is keen and enthusiastic.

Her mentor for the night is young, quick, and a fantastic nurse but she is known as a bit of a hard nut to crack and I know a small part of her is thinking "why on a bust night have you landed me with a student"

The department is so busy I only get into the area Jo is working every 30 minutes but every time she is hard at work not only doing the jobs but whilst doing so chatting to the patient and putting them at ease. After a couple of hours I check with her mentor who says "well she hasn't killed anyone yet, I don't mind having her for the rest of the shift" "Bristly old cactus" I think but know that this is actually real praise.

Over the rest of the shift she continues to quietly impress me. She is kind and gentle but also focused on what she is meant to be doing. She asks questions when she needs to but is mindful her mentor also has work to do. At one point she is doing a set of observations on her patient and notices he is not quite right and summons help.

At the end of the shift she thanks us all, tells us she has had a "great shift!!!!" and is looking forwards to coming back. Her mentor and I look at each other, groan, and cannot help smile - we are both exhausted and just want to go home to bed and sleep but cannot help enjoying Jo reminding us what it is like to have all that enthusiasm and energy.

So what was so special about Jo - well in truth nothing but everything. In 12 hours she had made an impression on pretty much everyone that she came into contact. She was professional, hardworking, willing to learn and a pleasure to have around. It reminded me of how simple it should be - if you come, work hard and make an impression then it is always going to stand you in good stead when applying for jobs.

It didn't need Jo to save a life or know how to do everything and anything just to demonstrate that she had the potential with investment to be a credit to the profession. I am sure that many student nurses out there will think but I do all of that and more and if that is the case I just wanted you to know, it is seen, it is valued and it does make a difference :)

[mesa1979, BSN, RN]

:yeah::yeah:This is such an encouragement! Thanks

[NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN]

Really encouraging!

[rachelgeorgina]

Thank you for this post.

[Andreajrod]

As a nursing student, this was very encouraging to read. Thank you for posting.

[cherrybreeze, ADN, RN]

Thanks for taking the time to post this. Too often, when people come to post on a forum, they do so to vent, or get advice on a BAD situation. It's nice to hear the good. Make sure this student knows it, too, it can make a world of difference to someone still learning to know they are doing well, even when it's small things (although this isn't).

[Zookeeper44, RN]

Yes, make sure the student hears this!! Nursing school is so often about "not failing" and negative feedback much more than positive feedback, it makes my YEAR on the rare occasion I have received positive, encouraging comments from other nurses when we're in clinical, etc.

It makes such a huge difference in our outlook and keeps us going

[Claritee]

Thank you for posting this. It is so important that a person is told what they're doing right so that they'll know to keep doing it.

I'm a student nurse as well, and tomorrow in clinicals I'm going to try to be like Jo!

[snoopy29]

Yes I let her know - but don't let on as I have worked hard to earn the reputation of a battle-axe :)

I also emailed a quick reflective account to her mentor saying pretty much what I have said above that she can put in her portfolio.

For me it's only fair - if a student does something wrong I will point it out and address it - if they do something right then I should do the same :)

[melmarie23, MSN, RN]

thank you for sharing. it means a lot.

[mochamonster]

I really appreciated your post. It really highlights how attitude is everything. You can teach people most things you need in a position, but you can't change their attitude. Thanks for sharing!

[Sarah010101]

Thank you so much for this post.

I am just finishing up my first year... and going into the Maternity unit on Monday... I am so scared. I have only had experience in a residential care setting, so this is going to be way different.

I am not going to lie, i feel like i do not know a lot, and i feel like i will be relatively useless there. But what i do know is that i am able to approach anyone, speak to anyone, and represent myself in a confident manner. Sometimes i see a fellow nursing student upset because they dont know all of the information... and honestly, sometimes you just have to think, its not about the information but the impact you make on people and your willingness to learn.

This story made me tear up a bit because along with all the stress and trying so hard .. sometimes the nurses on the unit expect you to know everything and you feel stupid because you dont. It made me happy that people DO recognize that you are trying your damn best.

Yes i may not know how to do everything, i may not be super smart, and i may not have the most amazing critical thinking skills.. but i do my best to get myself in there... and im so happy people can recognize that :)

Thanks for the story, it made my day way better :)