Clinical assignment frustration! <rant>

[flyingchange]

This is just a short rant because I have no one else who will understand! I'm on my third consecutive 5-week rotation which is the last one of this term. It's my psych placement which I understand is not a lot of people's favorite.

My clinical group is 7 students who were split up on 3 geriatric psych wards by the instructor. 1 ward is a locked unit for severe mental illness, 1 ward is an inpatient unit that is not locked, and 1 ward is an outpatient clinic for preventive intervention of at-risk seniors. The placements were chosen based on our experience and learning needs. We are not allowed to switch between units because it's hard on the residents and difficult for the students to get to know the unit.

I used to work in long-term care for the severely handicapped which I mentioned in my "about me" info to the instructor. Another girl had equivalent experience to mine. We were placed in the outpatient clinic. Everyone else was split between the inpatient units.

Well, today was the first day and I had a blast! It was so exciting dealing with these seniors who were being faced with very important choices about how to cope with loss of family, mobility, health, and other such issue facing seniors. These people are at risk for depression and isolation and it's amazing to see the nurses work with them to help them identify their own problems and resolutions. My peer felt the same way as well.

But in post-conference with the other students, ALL that was talked about was how the others HATED their placements and how much they wanted to be on the outpatient unit instead. They were going on and on about how bored they were and how their placement "wasn't psych".

I toured all 3 placements before I learned which I would be assigned to... I felt like there was something to learn on all of them!

So now my wonderful first day is ruined because of the daggers being shot my way, because I got "the" placement that everyone wanted. But I feel like they only wanted it because it's perceived to be easier with less "gross" parts and the later start time. Not because they actually have a passion like I do to see what's going on with these patients and learn how to help them.

I've always felt like if there was something i didn't WANT to do, it was probably something I SHOULD do, for that very reason. I feel like if they just stopped complaining and made the most of their experience they (and the residents!) would get so much more out of it!!!! And stop making me feel bad for getting the placement I wanted!

AAAHHHH!!!

[Boog'sCRRN246, RN]

I know it's hard, but do your best to ignore them. It's not your fault they aren't seeking out opportunities to learn.

[ambirrgrrl]

There will always be complainers. Don't let it ruin what you are obviously enjoying. Just learn all you can and have fun!

[CuriousMe]

Why let them ruin your day? You still had a great clinical day. I think I'd take the approach of "Gosh, I hate it for you that you didn't have a good experience." and move on. You can't control their experience or their reaction to it.....so why dwell there?

[mammac5]

I'm in a psych rotation right now in a locked-down inpatient unit and it is rough. So, even though you're loving your rotation, you might tone down the enthusiasm just a bit when conferencing with your peers who aren't enjoying theirs so much. It doesn't mean you got a better assignment or they got worse ones, but there's no point it going on about it when you now know they're envious.

Keep loving it...but do it a little more quietly.