clinicals

noelly10 · Jul 13, 2015

I do find it a bit odd though if the instructor doesn't give you ten or fifteen minutes at the end of lunch break to use the restroom or get a little fresh air. Especially since you said lunch is an hour. Maybe you could ask the instructor if that would be possible.

Why do you need to get fresh air if you have lunch for an hour? Also, usually the units you have clinical on have a bathroom. Maybe not at all hospitals, but most have a bathroom on the unit. And I don't think asking instructors for this type of request would go over well. Especially if they are strict.

I say just tough it out. You'll be fine and it will all be over soon. Before you know it you'll be an RN and you won't have a clinical instructor. It won't last forever!

futurepsychrn, ADN · Jul 13, 2015

Just noticed something, OP. Your interest is mental health. I do hope you realize that you need some tough skin, and you are not off to a good start. Before you post anything further, if you do plan on doing so, please read each comment and try to take down that defensive wall you put up. It's advice mixed with constrictive criticism. That's what your whole career is going to be, advice with a lot of constrictive criticism (and sometimes just the criticism).

I have a thick skin just from life itself. I can take constructive criticism, I would be out of the nursing program if I couldn't. That being said, I truly do not like to be talked down to. If you are giving me constructive criticism, that's wonderful, just don't talk to me as though I am an idiot or a child. There are many ways of teaching people, talking down to them is not one. Yes, I have a defensive wall (everyone does), no I do not use it in the clinical situation (even if I feel as though I am being attacked, I will back down and bow out to the more experienced RN every time). I have dealt with mentally ill people my whole life and most of the time I just let it slide off my back with a laugh.

I really did not come into this to start an argument with anyone. I'm trying to get used to the rules and regulations, but I am a why person. If your going to tell me I have to do something, I need the reasoning behind it. That's why there are rationales in care plans, to teach the reasoning behind a decision.

I never, in my wildest dreams, imagined a simple question would cause this fuss. I truly respect most of the opinions I have seen and received on AN, but sometimes the attitude with which the advice is given is hard to take. I know I'm new and I know I'm going to make lots of mistakes, but you all were once where I am also.

And that's my last post on this thread.

noelly10 · Jul 13, 2015

I have a thick skin just from life itself. I can take constructive criticism, I would be out of the nursing program if I couldn't. That being said, I truly do not like to be talked down to. If you are giving me constructive criticism, that's wonderful, just don't talk to me as though I am an idiot or a child. There are many ways of teaching people, talking down to them is not one. Yes, I have a defensive wall (everyone does), no I do not use it in the clinical situation (even if I feel as though I am being attacked, I will back down and bow out to the more experienced RN every time). I have dealt with mentally ill people my whole life and most of the time I just let it slide off my back with a laugh.
I really did not come into this to start an argument with anyone. I'm trying to get used to the rules and regulations, but I am a why person. If your going to tell me I have to do something, I need the reasoning behind it. That's why there are rationales in care plans, to teach the reasoning behind a decision.
I never, in my wildest dreams, imagined a simple question would cause this fuss. I truly respect most of the opinions I have seen and received on AN, but sometimes the attitude with which the advice is given is hard to take. I know I'm new and I know I'm going to make lots of mistakes, but you all were once where I am also.
And that's my last post on this thread.

No one is attacking you or "trampling" you. And if I remember looking back on most of the comments, everyone did give you very good reasons as to why you can't do certain things. And just about everyone up here posting are experienced nurses just telling you how it is. You think what we gave you was attitude? That's nothing compared to what you'll get when you start out as a fresh, brand spankin' new RN.

And yes, we were there. Which is why a lot of experienced nurses came to give you a respectful dose of reality along with personal experiences they went through in school. Some that posted are even in nursing school.

No one is talking down to you. But beware, when you do become an RN, you will experience being talked down to by physicians, and even sometimes very experienced nurses. Heck, I've gotten talked down to by families. What we were doing here...not even close to talking down to you.

OrganizedChaos, LVN · Jul 13, 2015

I have a thick skin just from life itself. I can take constructive criticism, I would be out of the nursing program if I couldn't. That being said, I truly do not like to be talked down to. If you are giving me constructive criticism, that's wonderful, just don't talk to me as though I am an idiot or a child. There are many ways of teaching people, talking down to them is not one. Yes, I have a defensive wall (everyone does), no I do not use it in the clinical situation (even if I feel as though I am being attacked, I will back down and bow out to the more experienced RN every time). I have dealt with mentally ill people my whole life and most of the time I just let it slide off my back with a laugh.
I really did not come into this to start an argument with anyone. I'm trying to get used to the rules and regulations, but I am a why person. If your going to tell me I have to do something, I need the reasoning behind it. That's why there are rationales in care plans, to teach the reasoning behind a decision.
I never, in my wildest dreams, imagined a simple question would cause this fuss. I truly respect most of the opinions I have seen and received on AN, but sometimes the attitude with which the advice is given is hard to take. I know I'm new and I know I'm going to make lots of mistakes, but you all were once where I am also.
And that's my last post on this thread.

We have given you the reasoning why you can't leave. But if you want *more* reasoning, go talk to you clinical instructor.

Please post an example where someone talked down to you. Because I have yet to see it. Most everyone disagreed with you, yes. But that doesn't mean they bullied you. I don't get why people come on here, ask a question & then the OP doesn't like the replies the OP thinks they were bullied/talked down to/etc.

futurepsychrn, ADN · Jul 13, 2015

Either you're bored wandering the halls, or you're overwhelmed. Which is it?

Bored to tears

OrganizedChaos, LVN · Jul 13, 2015

Bored to tears

I feel like these are all concerns that should be brought up to your CI.

futurepsychrn, ADN · Jul 13, 2015

I feel like these are all concerns that should be brought up to your CI.

I have tried. I have gotten the same response "rules are rules" and " I don't know what to tell you, there is nothing for anyone to do". Since it is a clinical site, can they take us to another part of the hospital where they may need some help? I don't know, that's why I am asking. Is this an allowable alternative?

futurepsychrn, ADN · Jul 13, 2015

I have tried. I have gotten the same response "rules are rules" and " I don't know what to tell you, there is nothing for anyone to do". Since it is a clinical site, can they take us to another part of the hospital where they may need some help? I don't know, that's why I am asking. Is this an allowable alternative?

When I asked about going outside, she took us to the back door (where they take the trash) and told us to stick our head out the door for a minute and get some fresh air. :yuck:

noelly10 · Jul 13, 2015

I have tried. I have gotten the same response "rules are rules" and " I don't know what to tell you, there is nothing for anyone to do". Since it is a clinical site, can they take us to another part of the hospital where they may need some help? I don't know, that's why I am asking. Is this an allowable alternative?

I don't think so. Some hospitals have "approved units" where students can go. So it isn't as easy as taking the whole group to a new unit to play with patients there. I had a lot of down time during clinical, especially in my last one because my instructor wanted us to take on more "RN responsibilities" or be available to do more skills. No disrespect to the aids because we did some aid work, but he told us he wanted us to experience a little more so we were "more prepared" (how can you ever be). My point is, I ended up having loads of free time. So what I did was, I looked up all of my patients diagnoses if I haven't had it in clinical yet and learned about it. We were also on a tele floor so I asked the monitor tech to print out a strip so I can analyze it. I just took my down time as an opportunity to learn. And if there truly isn't anything to do, ask the aids if they need help with anything such as ADLs.

noelly10 · Jul 13, 2015

When I asked about going outside, she took us to the back door (where they take the trash) and told us to stick our head out the door for a minute and get some fresh air.

I was never allowed to go outside. We couldn't even stick our head out like that.

futurepsychrn, ADN · Jul 13, 2015

I don't think so. Some hospitals have "approved units" where students can go. So it isn't as easy as taking the whole group to a new unit to play with patients there. I had a lot of down time during clinical, especially in my last one because my instructor wanted us to take on more "RN responsibilities" or be available to do more skills. No disrespect to the aids because we did some aid work, but he told us he wanted us to experience a little more so we were "more prepared" (how can you ever be). My point is, I ended up having loads of free time. So what I did was, I looked up all of my patients diagnoses if I haven't had it in clinical yet and learned about it. We were also on a tele floor so I asked the monitor tech to print out a strip so I can analyze it. I just took my down time as an opportunity to learn. And if there truly isn't anything to do, ask the aids if they need help with anything such as ADLs.

At the clincal this week the aides were sitting playing on their phones because they had nothing to do either lol. I'd love to be able to study at clinicals, but we are not permitted to do that, on down time or even at lunch (which brings us back to the original post lol.)

OrganizedChaos, LVN · Jul 13, 2015

I have tried. I have gotten the same response "rules are rules" and " I don't know what to tell you, there is nothing for anyone to do". Since it is a clinical site, can they take us to another part of the hospital where they may need some help? I don't know, that's why I am asking. Is this an allowable alternative?

No, they can't just take you elsewhere. You have to stay where your CI tells you. If you're not allowed to leave then you can't leave. You have talked to your clinical instructor & she said no. We also gave you reasons why. If you are not happy now, will you be happy when you start working as a nurse?

At the clincal this week the aides were sitting playing on their phones because they had nothing to do either lol. I'd love to be able to study at clinicals, but we are not permitted to do that, on down time or even at lunch (which brings us back to the original post lol.)

No, you will never be able to study at a clinical site. Once again, you represent the school. If you are on your phone, sitting down & reading a book (even if it's a school book) or studying notes, how professional does that look on the school?