Clinicals - What Not to Do?

cracklingkraken, ASN, RN · Sep 11, 2015

And that students should not be whipping it out bedside, should not be answering their phones in a patient room or --wait for it---WHILE your preceptor is explaining something to you.

Do students actually do that? :eek:

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Sep 11, 2015

Do students actually do that?

Oh my yes...and more. Common courtesy isn't as common as people think....

I'm not likely to forget the student who was standing next to me in the med room while I pulled meds, and had asked a question. WHILE I am giving her the answer she asked for, her phone rang. I watched as she pulled out the phone and proceeded to put her index finger up in the air to me (as in a "wait one minute, would ya?" kind of motion) and spoke to someone. NOT a two-second "call you right back!!" but a CONVERSATION. I walked out of the med room, found the instructor....and dumped that student.

cracklingkraken, ASN, RN · Sep 11, 2015

Oh my yes...and more. Common courtesy isn't as common as people think....
I'm not likely to forget the student who was standing next to me in the med room while I pulled meds, and had asked a question. WHILE I am giving her the answer she asked for, her phone rang. I watched as she pulled out the phone and proceeded to put her index finger up in the air to me (as in a "wait one minute, would ya?" kind of motion) and spoke to someone. NOT a two-second "call you right back!!" but a CONVERSATION. I walked out of the med room, found the instructor....and dumped that student.

It's unbelievable what people think is acceptable behavior these days. I hope no one will hold my age against me! I agree, from observing many of my peers, that this is a very troubled generation.

icuRNmaggie, BSN, RN · Sep 11, 2015

A bright, energetic, well mannered, and prepared student is always going to be welcome.

You should have been given some basic information about your assignment the day before in order to understand the plan of care and nursing interventions.

If you and your instructor are not trained in our EMR that will greatly restrict your clinical experience.

Over the past few years I have seen some very disappointing behavior, such as coming in late, hungover, disheveled, wanting to go get breakfast when report is over, constant texting, eye rolling, and a few memorable cases who had a defiant attitude and liked to question my judgement and argue.

Please understand that you are a guestâ€‹ in this unit. It is extremely rude to come in to anyone's place of business, not introduce yourself, and sit down where a nurse or physician was in the middle of charting. You are not doing us a favor bestowing us with your presence.

It is not okay to flirt with every member of the opposite sex. It's creepy. Enough said.

I would estimate that for every three students I meet, only one has good social skills, is there to work, and makes an effort to be on top of her patient's needs. That student is a pleasure to work with and someone that I would encourage to apply for an externship.

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · Sep 11, 2015

One thing to do: Approach clinical rotations as you would an extended job interview, be attentive and situationally aware. The person walking down the hall may be the DON or hiring manager, your school uniform will make you very visible and your demeanor and actions will be noted. Don't be overly solicitous, but if you are the student that is eager, helpful, and prepared, you will make a good impression. You may be surprised how often staff is asked if there is an outstanding student in each clinical group. Make yourself remarkable and you will be remembered.

^^^This!

I had an interview 2 days after I graduated because I was able to put my managerial skills to use when we had a particularly difficult visitor who couldn't remember a patient's last name, but was insisting he needed to see "Bob" (*names changed, natch). "Bob's" visitor was clearly intoxicated and was making a loud scene in the hallways, calling all the nurses the c-word because we wouldn't look up what room "Bob" was in for him.

He started in on me and I said, "hey, let's walk downstairs to security and we'll be able to get this all sorted out, since we can't give out information without Bob's permission." He started yelling that I wasn't doing my job and that I could look up the info. Called me a hoity-toity b^!#h and started screaming for Bob. I just guided him down the hall, away from our patients. By that time, the unit manager arrived and we walked & calmed him down and got him to security. The unit manager was very complimentary that I kept my cool and tried to diffuse the situation. When I had my interview, she had put in a good word for me with the hiring manager. One of the managers that interviewed me was there on the day of the incident and remembered me. She said she felt confident in my ability to handle difficult patients & visitors. Needless to say, I got the job :)

The nurses & managers do keep their eyes & ears open when you're on the floor as a student. If you're always pitching in to help answer call lights, jumping in to do the "dirty work" and have an overall cheerful demeanor while doing it, they're going to want to work with you in the future. They want teammates who've got each other's back.

To answer OP:

While I'm a new grad, I've already had student nurses assigned. I *love* having students because I'm not too far removed from being in their shoes. If I have a student who's really engaged and eager, I try to make sure to find them when there are skill check off procedures to do (e.g. Foleys, NG insertions, IV starts, etc. )

I've had great students so far. However, I see other students parked in front of the computer, who magically disappear when call lights go on. Students need to realize that we ALL notice these things and we do talk to your clinical instructors.

If you give it your all, I'm going to give you CI great feedback. If you aren't participating because "that's not my patient" when someone needs to go to the bathroom or needs a linen change, you're not going to get good feedback from anyone. As a nurse, we all have to lend a hand to our fellow nurses during our shifts. No one is above a linen change or toileting a patient. If you show you're willing to help out, we know we can count on you. We're more inclined to show you a short cut in the computer. Or where to find something in the med room. Or answer your questions about lab values, procedures, etc.

If you help when needed, people will be there to help you when you need it, too. :up:

Good luck with your clinicals. Enjoy them :)

Tenebrae, BSN, RN · Sep 22, 2015

Start learning your meds and do some research into the ones you may encounter in your placement.

Be willing to help out where you can including toileting and bed sponges. Among other things it gives you the opportunity to assess their mobility, and a bed sponge gives you the opportunity to assess their skin condition and address any concerns that may arise.

Dont be afraid to say to your preceptor, "I would iike the opportunity to observe X procedure if the opportunity arises, it would help consolidate my learning". I did my final placement prior to sitting state finals in a general surgical ward and asked my preceptor if it would be possible to observe a joint replacement to understand some of the issues people experience post surgery. I got to observe and it really helped consolidate my learning.

Dont be afraid to say thanks to your clinical area by taking in a morning/afternoon tea on your final shift.

bloatedputti, MSN, RN · Oct 1, 2015

Be proactive and offer to do tasks for he/she. Tell her that you are ready when she is for___________. Don't sit down. Soak up all of your surroundings. Some nurses are more receptive than others to teaching. Try not to take it personally. Say "what can I do for you".