Clinical bad day?!?!

schnookimz · Feb 11, 2014

It sounds like a bad situation, but just remember the primary RN is the one in charge, not you as a student. She also is well aware you are a student so if something doesn't get done or is late, chances are she will just take care of it herself. Just because you are there that day does not mean she thinks you are solely responsible for all care.

nynursey_ · Feb 11, 2014

The reality of the situation is that once you graduate in May, you'll likely work for a hospital that will put you through extensive orientation. You won't be thrown to a 4 pt assignment without at least an idea of an orientation to the physical components of the unit that will help you do your job. Ideally, your counterparts will be happy to help, and you'll feel awkward until you get the hang of things.

As a student, I never encountered this. My MS clinical, even at the senior level, was 16-weeks long for 16 hours a week, no more than 6 hours per day (with the exception of the preceptorship experience) and our pt assignment never exceeded 2. Procedures and/or medications were never permitted to be done under our own direction but rather with the RN at the bedside, or explicit instruction of our clinical instructor.

I'm sorry you had such a bad day!

bmt0630 · Feb 11, 2014

Thats what bothers me the most. I knew it was not supposed to be like that. I didnt feel comfortable at all. I thought it was crazy I was given 4 patients as a student to begin with. And the patients I was given were all pretty sick people who needed alot. I felt it was necessary for SOMEONE to be in the room with me, especially when pushing meds. I made a point to find either the nurse or the instructor to come with me, but things were late because of having to go find them every time. Someone should have been with me the entire time. I guess I just needed to hear from others that this was not a good situation. Hopefully next week will be better!

anon456, BSN, RN · Feb 11, 2014

Four patients is a lot for any student-- I would have expected you to try handling two if you are near the end of your schooling. And even then, as an RN supervising a student, the RN has to witness every part of the care because you are operating under her license. I think that RN may have thought she could have an easy day and give you a bunch of her patients. It's risky for you, her, and the patients.

bmt0630 · Feb 11, 2014

Yes it is! Thats exactly what happened, she pawned it all on me while she kept hiding on her phone. Im very glad my rotation on that floor is over!! 4 patients was alot...especially being my first real day having patients. I am praying it gets better!

wellcoachRN · Feb 11, 2014

I am sorry that you were put in that position. I would advise having a discussion with your clinical instructor. Do not ever feel bad about asking questions, you are in nursing school to learn. Even when you are a new nurse, you will have questions from time to time. I hope that you have a better rest of your clinical.

schnookimz · Feb 12, 2014

Yes it is! Thats exactly what happened she pawned it all on me while she kept hiding on her phone. Im very glad my rotation on that floor is over!! 4 patients was alot...especially being my first real day having patients. I am praying it gets better![/quote']
It may seem that way....but what is she going to say if something goes wrong or when she has to give report to the next shift? Although you have your clinical instructor, the primary RN is still responsible for coordinating the patients care and is getting phone calls and test results etc to update the patients plan of care. Some of this info, you may never even hear.

CWONgal · Feb 12, 2014

No, fortunately. My very first day of clinicals was Sept 11. While people were watching tv I got called into a room by a frantic son whose mom had a GI bleed and began vomiting blood all over the bed. The nurse returned and told me to clean her up and acted indifferent. I don't know what came down ultimately when my clinical instructor approached the nurse but whatever was said had me coming out of the room and that nurse taking care of her patient.

RunBabyRN · Feb 12, 2014

Wow, sounds like a set up for failure! Even in my third semester of med/surg, we started with two, and were still paired up with an RN. I wasn't to 4 patients until I was ready (I pushed for it before my instructor did). I was never left alone with patients for actual patient care, let alone med pass, until I had established the nurse's trust.

Have you discussed your concerns with your clinical instructor? If you don't get a good solution there, you can go up the chain, but try to settle things at the lowest level possible. Be your own advocate, and in turn, an advocate for your patients!

ElmStSurvivor · Feb 12, 2014

Wow that's terrible...that shouldn't have happened to you, especially as a student. I would definitely talk to your instructor more about this and if she's indifferent and you get a bad grade, I would bring it to the chair. That's just not fair. At my school we were always oriented to the unit before taking care of our patients.

Qteapi · Feb 12, 2014

Yep and guess who I went to find? The PCT...they know where everything and it's brother is and how to work the majority of the machines that we SN's have to work and a good many are SN's themselves so they welcome the chance to help a fellow SN