Clinials & Nurses

Most of the animosity you are feeling is not because you are doing something wrong. Nurses everywhere are fed up with the working environment, the pay, and all the baloney that goes with being a nurse. They are so sick of everything that to some, students are just a hindrance because it is just one more thing that they have to do - watch and teach a student. The best thing that you can do is to study your patient's dx, and be prepared. Act happy, even when they are ugly. Offer to help them when you have a lull. So many of these nurses don't even realize anymore that their behavior is so rude and hateful. It is just how they are coping with their situation. So don't be afraid. If you find a nurse that is more open to teaching than the others - grab her/him. Learn what you can. And start growing your thick skin now - you'll need a heavy skin later on. Don't be afraid to ask questions. If needed, nicely remind those nurses that unless they want to be nurses until they are little gray old ladies, they need to help you learn so that you can take over when they retire!

I know this must be frustrating for you, but go into each clinical day with an open mind, open heart, and know that it is not you. Sometimes it's just the mix of nurses on a particular floor and the dynamic they have working together. I have seen an entire floor's attitude change with the addition/deletion of just one nurse. It's sad that one person can change things, but it does happen.

Go in to each day interested in what you are doing (or at least act like it). Sometimes, at the most unexpected moment, the tide will turn.

Good luck.

GOD MADE A NURSE

He made her/his heart brave,true and kind

And like the mountains streams

Her/his mind is crystal clear

Yet deep and swift is where its waters rush and sweep

He made her/his hands strong;tender,skilled

Their touchwas His own pity filled

And gave to make His nurse complete

A sense of humor wholesome sweet

God made a nurse

Hope this helps you realize you are needed!

out of school only close to three years and now have been having students with me for two years i can relate to both sides of spectrum.i agree to have positive and helpful attitude (help anser lights if you have nothing to do),know you pt history, dx, meds, plan of care as much as you can. i love to teach what i know but get very frustrated with students who will come and take one pt, do as little as poss for them and then want to sit in nurses station chatting with fellow students and doing homework rest of the day while we all work our tails off. also if we are slammin busy and a student has no idea about a med to give a pt, like how long to administer over, i wonder if they prepared at all. and it is ALWAYS good to ask questions, yet find the right time and realize some may be better suited for your instructor. if all else fails and these nurse are still nasty just stay tough!! nursing school feels like forever, but "this too shall pass". i had a pediatric nurse in a clinical one time who was determined to be mean, condescending, and in my face. it was very hard but i kept my cool and was sure to let my instructor know at the end of the day. if it is horrible and ongoing i don't think it is out of line to talk to you instuctor and ask for some relief/assistance. good luck!!!

Two (maybe 3) things to learn from your experience.

1. Do not work in that department. The conditions must be terrible if the staff is behaving in that manner. No nurse wakes up and wants to do a bad job, treat people poorly, and make work any harder than it already is. Think of how overworked/ under-resourced they must be and try to be empathetic. You saw how bad their work environment is.

2. Treat students kindly. It is guaranteed that the day will come when you are the nurse who is working with the students and some students will make quite a bit of extra work for you (not doing tasks stated they would do, failure to perform interventions, not notify until after 8 hours and leaving that pt had no urine output, breaking hospital infection control, dishonesty,telling your cna how to do their job, correcting staff nurses on their interventions....so many things are possible). Remember how you felt and be kind and patient with them. You are a role model to them for how they want to be someday. Some days it will be a challenge to be a role model. Be one anyway.

3. If you ever find yourself in that position as a nurse, it is time for a change. Maybe a new department, a new facility, or another area of nursing entirely. Burn out can happen to anyone.

PS-I love working with the students. Some nurses really do love to teach. The best advice:keep your smile on your face, do the best that you can, and leave work each day with one thing you did well. So often we focus on what needs improvement rather than what was done well.