Can You Help Me Out?

nursepotter05, RN · May 5, 2005

the nursing shortage and the factors playing into it. You could debate some ethical issues, such as assisted suicide. I can't htink of anything else right now.

Tony35NYC · May 5, 2005

I will be helping teach an undergraduate nursing "Trends and Issues" course this summer. I am trying to come up with some relevant "issues" for the students. Any ideas as I formulate my list of "issues?" What topic would YOU like to discuss if you were in this class? Thanks so much for any ideas you can offer me! :)

How about discussing the topic of the transition from student to RN. I know this sounds redundant but if you read some of the new grad posts on here you'll find that many people are terrified about being on their own as an RN, especially during the first year. New nurses need to know to look for preceptorships that are long enough to teach them most of what they need to know before they accept patient assignments, and they also need to feel comfortable about asking a lot of questions. As for asking a lot of questions during preceptorships--- lets be honest, some senior nurses are not very nice to us newbies and if we go in unprepared to deal with their attitudes it can cause our self-confidence to go right down the toilet.

Where I used to work, the nurses were great with students and new grads, but I've done many clinical rotations elsewhere, where students and new nurses were treated worse than trash. My last clinical instructor called it a 'reality check'. She told us at the end of the rotation that she purposefully singled out each one of us on a particular day and deliberately criticized us horribly and gave us a very hard time about everything we did, and arbitrarily threaten that she'd have to write us up for some of the most ridiculous things. Then she would secretly observe our reaction. We thought she was just being catty, but she later told us that she does it to all her students to prep them for the real world. And you know what, during post conference discussions we all learned a lot from her about what to expect in the real world of nursing. She turned out to be the BEST clinical instructor I ever had. In fact, her b*tchiness test taught me quite a bit about my own weaknesses when it comes to dealing with other people. This is one reason I know I'm going to do alright as a new nurse.:)

All the best with your class!

manna, BSN, RN · May 5, 2005

We have a Leadership-Management course for which we just completed a large Law/Legal project - not sure if that ties into issues/trends, but topics covered included things like mandatory overtime, nurse-patient ratios (California), HIPPA, Handle with Care campaign, nurse reinvestment act, tort reform, and others. We also talk alot about the image of nursing - promoting professionalism.

Jolie, BSN · May 5, 2005

How about the trend of increased numbers and categories of unlicensed assistive personnel practicing under the RN's license. The current issue of the Chicago Area Nursing Spectrum has an excellent article outlining the proposal for medication assistants in IL.

Another topic on my personal radar screen of late: States which join the Nursing Compact, and how they give up their right to independently regulate nursing licensure in their own state.

Aneroo, LPN · May 5, 2005

I will be helping teach an undergraduate nursing "Trends and Issues" course this summer. I am trying to come up with some relevant "issues" for the students. Any ideas as I formulate my list of "issues?" What topic would YOU like to discuss if you were in this class? Thanks so much for any ideas you can offer me! :)

In regard to where we live, how about some issues regarding the CRNA info, and medication aides. I agree with HIPPA, nsg shortage, new grads in advanced areas, ADN vs BSN, NCLEX issues, new grad transition.

Trauma Columnist · May 5, 2005

Sounds very cool! What about: the aging nursing population and ergonomics in the workplace?

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN · May 5, 2005

These are all GREAT suggestions... thanks to everyone :)

grinnurse, RN · May 6, 2005

I agree with all the suggestions previously posted. I would also add in a talk about malpractice insurance and have the students do their own living will/power of attny so they can begin to feel comfortable in talkin to future patients about and where they can obtain information esp after the Terry Schiavo fiasco we all watched on tv.

NurseFirst · May 6, 2005

These are all GREAT suggestions... thanks to everyone :)

Vicky,

Why keep the trends and issues limited to nursing? I think to really understand what is happening and what may happen to nursing in the future has to do with the whole health care system--so issues relating to how people receive care, how hcp's get compensated, etc.; how new hcp's come into being (political issues, then)--so people have tools to see how the issues arise and will be able to see them coming well after they finish your class. :)

NurseFirst

Nesher, BSN, RN · May 6, 2005

Vicky,

Don't forget informatics - the wave of the future...

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN · May 8, 2005

Thanks so much for all your help! Incorporating these suggestions in course plans today :)