Clinical Partner Problems

Chapis · Oct 13, 2009

hmmm, don't want to be rude, but you do not need to be holding her hand. as hard as i've heard ns is, you need to be looking out for you. it's nice enough of you to think about your friend. has the other friend of yours asked you to partner up with you, if so, say yes. you want to be confident at clinicals rather than having to worry if she's going to make it through. just say, it's nothing personal and that she makes you nervous by her being nervous, or if the friend of yours has asked you already, just tell her that your other friend asked you first.

Music in My Heart · Oct 13, 2009

Partnering is a pretty intimate relationship and you really rely on one another to meet the demands of your program. I would partner with whomever you will have the best working relationship. It doesn't sound like this girl fits that bill.

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP · Oct 13, 2009

I understand you don't want to hurt your friend's feelings. :up: Fortunately, there's a nice way to say just about anything. Ask whomever you think you will work best with, and if your other friend asks, just tell her you already have a partner, and maybe offer to study with her instead (if you learn by studying in a group).

I was that Nervous Nelly my first semester of clinical. Scared to freakin' death. I got over it though, and your friend just might do the same thing.

Chapis · Oct 13, 2009

♪♫ in my ♥=you said it better than me 1000 x better!!

beach_bride514 · Oct 13, 2009

Thank you for the advice!! I guess I'm just worried because if she gets a partner that she doesn't know she will freeze up.

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP · Oct 13, 2009

It's kind of you to be concerned that she'll freeze up if she's with someone she doesn't know, but you might also be doing her a big favor. Being a nurse means (for most careers, anyway) dealing well with people you don't really know, and this might be what gives her that start.

I remember that feeling well...the dread of 'am I going to have a nice patient today?' 'will the floor nurses be mean to me?' 'will my clinical group think I'm an idiot for [insert your reason here]?' And you know what? It did get easier as I went through nursing school. So your friend will probably do better on her own than she thinks she will.

beach_bride514 · Oct 13, 2009

Thank you :)

Music in My Heart · Oct 13, 2009

Laura, you sound like a very considerate person but perhaps a tad too concerned about others. While I do think it's important to be as kind and helpful as possible (and I think my classmates would say that I was), nursing school is fundamentally a solo project and your primary concern should be for yourself.

beach_bride514 · Oct 14, 2009

I agree, I just want her to be successful.

But...I'm pretty nervous about it myself. I just don't let it get to me. I push it to the back of my mind. I just graduated HS, so I have never had any type of experience in a hospital/nursing home. Haha, I got my tonsils removed when I was 8 if that counts... :) jk.

Music in My Heart · Oct 14, 2009

Don't sweat it... I didn't find it nearly so rough as I'd feared it would be.

That said, there's precious little time or energy to be pulling more than your share. Pick your partner well... and by all means, don't guilt yourself into partnering up with someone because they "need" you.

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Oct 14, 2009

You're in a very tough spot but like what has been said, you have to do what's best for you and you can't let anyone else hold you back. If your other friend says ok I would just tell the one you're worried about that you were already asked and accepted as to let her down gently. Hopefully with time she can pull herself up.