Clinical Groups? Please tell me they change!!

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Hey all

this is my 1st post here I started clinicals 2 weeks ago and im scared to death! For 1 I got the jacked up clinical group we are talking LOSERS I dont even know how these people made it this far into the program! Anyway our instructors will not tell us if these groups are permanent or if they will change per semester! Please someone tell me your clinical groups change throughout the program! Give me some hope!!!

You know, clinicals are kind of like the real world. You meet some people that you like, some you can tolerate, and some you can't stand. I learned not to wear my feelings for other people in my clinical groups on my shoulder. To be kind to everyone, polite, and helpful on the unit. You might be surprised that the "losers" that you are referring to may be really nervous and just acting different than they normally would. One thing is a guarantee, if you act like they are losers and don't give them a chance, you WILL NOT like them. Mainly because they will not like you. Remember, you reap what you sow. If you spread animousity, distrust, and think lowly of the other students, you will not get along with them. Try something during the next clinical. Try starting a polite conversation with another student. Reach out and take a chance. If you get shot down, do it again with another one. I bet that you will find that they are not nearly as bad as you think they are.

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Feeling compelled here to add my 2cents. So here it goes: first quarter I was the person who was acting oddly in lab and class...I was under so much stress at the time it is amazing that I survived it. Then our clinical groups were chosen, and my clinical group gelled as a group without me...in fact they talked about me in post-conference (that was held at a restaurant that I could not afford to eat at because I am a single mom and can't work enough hours and don't get any child support)...which was then repeated to me by one of the more "helpful" classmates.

My clinical group completely ostracized me and I was robbed of opportunities to consult the other students, some of whom worked as techs in hospitals, about all things from little to big (where do they keep the thermometer covers....can you assist me with a lift, stuff like that.)

If that wasn't bad enough, I got sick about 2 weeks into quarter which then turned into pneumonia...and it lasted almost all quarter. I never stopped coming to class, I never stopped going to clinical, I passed every single test and hung in there...and now 2nd quarter, it's coming together in my head at lightning fast speed and I'm excelling and loving it.

I never let on to my old clinical group that I knew they were discussing me in such detail (when I wasn't around of course)...I refused to give them the satisfaction of knowing that they hurt me very deeply by their behaviors.

So now here is 2nd quarter...and my new clinical group is awesome...they're grown-up adults who are there to learn, and we've formed a cohesive unit....and those folks from my old clinical group? Well...what goes around comes around, kwim? Not too many people want to associate with them and their holier-than-thou attitudes...

So please just be patient with your clinical group...you never know who climbs a mountain before they get out of bed in the morning...and the person to whom you extend your hand in kindness today will probably have your back tomorrow. And that's worth it's weight in gold.

Hang in there...and smile.

Moonjumper - student nurse

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Ours is according to where you live and most of the time the people change but I still have clinical with some of the same people I did in the beginning. I must say though, you might end up liking some of these people or counting on the for help sometimes. Give them a chance.

Peace.

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I find it very hard to be sympathetic toward your situation. With someone as new as you are and I'm guessing, not really knowing anybody, you sure are quick to assume your fellow classmates are "losers". But then, I guess we can expect a comment like that from someone named "SamytheCool".

My advice: grow to love your classmates as family b/c ultimately you should be there for them no matter what. You all are going through the most difficult years of your college life and if you start acting like that from the get go then you can be sure you won't have any back-up when you need it.

That being said: Get over yourself, stop acting like you're in high school and take some time to figure out who they really are before you assume they're losers. Otherwise, you can find yourself up to your elbows in crap with a patient and no one will be there to help you change the brief.

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Ours changes every semester.

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WOW what a great learning experience you have ahead of you. Nursing is a team sport and you will have to learn to count on your team players..even the biggest loser can be your greatest helper. When you get in the real world of nursing you do not get to pick and choose who you work with and most of the time you are joyful just to have a full team working..you do not get to forfiet if you are short of players. Just kick back and enjoy the ride you are all in this together and yeah...love the one your with.

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Specializes in Long Term Care.
I had the same problem with a few of my clinical groups. Luckily, ours changed for each rotation. For my last group before graduation, I had the lazy one, the pushy one, the one who freaked out over everything, and the whiner. I had one good classmate in there. I really have no idea how they will survive in a real job. I feel bad for their future preceptor. Makes my sudder to think about it, actually. I agree with ktwlpn, though, you'll look way good. And, for the record, I did try to be non-judgemental, but they were truly just plain sub-standard.

You got a label on everyone, non-judgemental, hmmmm-----ok so the one label I didn't see was the ignorant one... wonder who that is....

I have to say that in the beginning of my nursing school, I was a little bit judgemental also. I groaned and moaned about having to deal with the weird ones in clinicals, as time passed, and I met with or worked with each person I realized that it was my own insecurities that caused me to cast judgement so fast. Now there are people that I would rather not work with or socialize with but I am proud to be a part of this class and can honestly say that every single one of the people in my class of 64 students would have my back as I would have theirs in a heart beat.

Sue

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I had the same problem with a few of my clinical groups. Luckily, ours changed for each rotation. For my last group before graduation, I had the lazy one, the pushy one, the one who freaked out over everything, and the whiner. I had one good classmate in there. I really have no idea how they will survive in a real job. I feel bad for their future preceptor. Makes my sudder to think about it, actually. I agree with ktwlpn, though, you'll look way good. And, for the record, I did try to be non-judgemental, but they were truly just plain sub-standard.

Gee, which one were you? I can only imagine. We wonder why nurses eat their young... we are cannibals.

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Specializes in Ortho, Case Management, blabla.

Wow. I'm sure you are a great person to be in clinicals with. Please don't ever become an instructor. Thanks.

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Yea, I remember our class president came to this site, and started attacking the whole class and its program..It was shame to see it but that is how she felt about our class..And the bad thing about it she was the president of our class..Well, in reality, the class was not that bad as she described it..

Anyway, to the orginal poster, you should lose the attitude about your classmates..Maybe they dont want to be with you either..

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Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.

I am sorry, but what a "loser" type of attitude. I may not want to be best friends with every one in my nursing program; however, I am in a BSN program and have to spend three years with these people. I do not want to be left out of any study groups or be put on some ones "you know what list" because I started talking smack, especially this early in the game.

And yes, we do change clinicals every semester. I like it. Not to get away from people, but to have the chance to get to know all my classmates better. Nursing is a team effort. You have alot to learn, I would not want you on my team, or to be my nurrse for that matter. You might think I was a loser.

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Specializes in ER/Trauma.

The more I look at this thread, the more I think we have been treated to a troll. The OP has not responded to this or any other thread. I am thinking the troll got the firestorm he/she wanted and moved on....

Anyone else thinking the same thing?

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