Cranky floor nurses? Or snotty students??

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Hi, all,

I am a student at a big teaching hospital and university, and I am curious what sort of experiences you students are having with the floor nurses. I would also like to hear from you floor nurses about what the students do that you like or dislike.

It seems that there is a huge disconnect between the students and floor nurses. Some floor nurses ignore us, say rude things (ex: "Well, what DO you know, then??" "So, did you do ANYTHING with your patient today??") have parties with food and don't offer us any, ignore the fact that we are assigned to the patient and try to do all the care themselves without involving student, or never even show up to check in on the patient and the student can't find nurse to report off when it's time to go (because nurse is MIA and clinical instructor is tapping her foot).

Seldom does a floor nurse say, "Hey want to see this?" I know that they are tired and overworked--would it help to get extra brownie points/money to be more instructional to students? I know that we have clinical instructors that do this, but if all our assigned patients are stable but patient down the hall is interesting, wouldn't it be nice if nurse told clinical instructor?

I know that we students can probably get annoying, too, and underfoot, or sound superior. What is your perception?

The problem is that pretty much everybody in my program at this point swears they will never work on a Med-Surg floor if they can help it because of the negative vibes they get now.

Comments???

Oldiebutgoodie

Most of the nurses I've worked with have been pretty good, but I do have a huge clinical pet peeve.

First of all, we as student nurses have the fear of God put in us about doing any sort of procedure that we have not checked off on in skills class. Fast forward to clinical, there is always some butt-kissing student that is fawning all over the floor nurse and doing all sorts of skills that they should not be. Then, the rest of us are held suspect by the other nurses because "Student Nurse X did a central line change today, the others just stood around". Even though we are ethically bound to politely say no, the ones that say yes are always the ones getting the 'attagirl' by the floor nurses, and consequently seen as 'more hireable'. And yes, I firmly believe lists are being made even now regarding who should be hired even though we are only halfway through our program.

I prep at *least* 6 hours for my clinical assignment, and am very helpful etc. But in the end I feel like I am getting screwed over for doing the right thing, and it's very frustrating. I will stick to my convictions on this, because I have no desire to to either compromise a patient or lose my opportunity to ever be licensed. But there is a huge disconnect between what the floor nurses expect and what cares we are able provide.

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Most of the nurses I've worked with have been pretty good, but I do have a huge clinical pet peeve.

First of all, we as student nurses have the fear of God put in us about doing any sort of procedure that we have not checked off on in skills class. Fast forward to clinical, there is always some butt-kissing student that is fawning all over the floor nurse and doing all sorts of skills that they should not be. Then, the rest of us are held suspect by the other nurses because "Student Nurse X did a central line change today, the others just stood around". Even though we are ethically bound to politely say no, the ones that say yes are always the ones getting the 'attagirl' by the floor nurses, and consequently seen as 'more hireable'. And yes, I firmly believe lists are being made even now regarding who should be hired even though we are only halfway through our program.

I prep at *least* 6 hours for my clinical assignment, and am very helpful etc. But in the end I feel like I am getting screwed over for doing the right thing, and it's very frustrating. I will stick to my convictions on this, because I have no desire to to either compromise a patient or lose my opportunity to ever be licensed. But there is a huge disconnect between what the floor nurses expect and what cares we are able provide.

I see this too. When I've been preceeded in a dept rotation by other students who are "eager beavers" but do what we were specifically instructed not to do. So I am always cautious...I do want to learn, "get dirty", etc. But I won't cross a boundary that puts me in jeopardy... I have always been a bit paranoid that even doing something just one time is the one time things will go very wrong.

Giving medications is so often treated as no big deal by some...but those students scare me. They can't possibly be thinking the pt might have a severe allergic reaction or respiratory arrest or cardiac arrest. And if they have...they probably haven't thought about what they should do first. Answering "airway" on the test is not the same as maintaining one in an unfamiliar setting, especially when you are just patting yourself on the back for such advanced care!

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Specializes in Registered Nurse.
Most of the nurses I've worked with have been pretty good, but I do have a huge clinical pet peeve.

First of all, we as student nurses have the fear of God put in us about doing any sort of procedure that we have not checked off on in skills class. Fast forward to clinical, there is always some butt-kissing student that is fawning all over the floor nurse and doing all sorts of skills that they should not be. Then, the rest of us are held suspect by the other nurses because "Student Nurse X did a central line change today, the others just stood around". Even though we are ethically bound to politely say no, the ones that say yes are always the ones getting the 'attagirl' by the floor nurses, and consequently seen as 'more hireable'. And yes, I firmly believe lists are being made even now regarding who should be hired even though we are only halfway through our program.

I prep at *least* 6 hours for my clinical assignment, and am very helpful etc. But in the end I feel like I am getting screwed over for doing the right thing, and it's very frustrating. I will stick to my convictions on this, because I have no desire to to either compromise a patient or lose my opportunity to ever be licensed. But there is a huge disconnect between what the floor nurses expect and what cares we are able provide.

Oh, no! Please do not change! I would hate to have a student do something without being fully trained and educated about the procedure!

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Specializes in orthopaedics, perioperative.
Most of the nurses I've worked with have been pretty good, but I do have a huge clinical pet peeve.

First of all, we as student nurses have the fear of God put in us about doing any sort of procedure that we have not checked off on in skills class. Fast forward to clinical, there is always some butt-kissing student that is fawning all over the floor nurse and doing all sorts of skills that they should not be. Then, the rest of us are held suspect by the other nurses because "Student Nurse X did a central line change today, the others just stood around". Even though we are ethically bound to politely say no, the ones that say yes are always the ones getting the 'attagirl' by the floor nurses, and consequently seen as 'more hireable'. And yes, I firmly believe lists are being made even now regarding who should be hired even though we are only halfway through our program.

I prep at *least* 6 hours for my clinical assignment, and am very helpful etc. But in the end I feel like I am getting screwed over for doing the right thing, and it's very frustrating. I will stick to my convictions on this, because I have no desire to to either compromise a patient or lose my opportunity to ever be licensed. But there is a huge disconnect between what the floor nurses expect and what cares we are able provide.

:rolleyes: OMG I thought it was just our school... I am so glad to know it is not just us. :) But then again, I am scared to know there are MORE of those 'attagirls' out there who are overstepping their boundaries. :imbar

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I think there are both cranky nurses and snotty students. I go into clinical with the attitude that the nurses are not there to teach me and answer endless questions while trying to get their work done. That is what my instructor is for.

If a nurse seems to like students and will explain things, I am thrilled and take every advantage of the situation. If a nurse appears annoyed that I am assigned to her patients, I keep the contact to a minimum. I think you have to be sensitive to the particular nurse, their patient load and their attitude about students.

I have learned something from every nurse I have worked with, even if it is only that I never want to be like her.

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Specializes in home health, LTC, assisted living.

My first clinical at the nursing home, the nurses were not so nice to us but the CNA's were very nice. At the hospital I am at now the nurses and everyone are VERY nice to us, they come and get us if they have a procedure they think we might need to check off on. :nurse:

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Specializes in home health, LTC, assisted living.
I'm a floor nurse who loves to teach......and nursing students who love to learn are my favorites! I'll take a student who peppers me with questions, isn't afraid to get their hands dirty, and dives in when there's a new experience to be had any day, over one who thinks they know it all or one who waits for experiences to be handed to them on a silver platter. And the ones who never seem to have any questions scare me the most......to my mind, the only stupid question is the one that isn't asked, and if a nurse is too arrogant, too lazy, or even too shy to find out what they need to know to take care of a patient, I certainly don't want them taking care of MY patients.

Another thing I think students need to understand is that as nurses, our responsibility is to the patient first, and the student second. While I'd never attempt to justify anyone's being rude, sometimes a patient's situation changes so quickly that we become intensely focused on what's happening with them, and we aren't thinking about you---we need to call that code, run for the crash cart, push the amp of D50, transfer the patient to the ICU, get the restraints on someone who's out of control, or whatever. Don't take it personally! :)

And even when things aren't as desperate as all that, we are frequently understaffed, or a patient's family member dumps all over us, or the doctor tears us a new one because the labs he ordered haven't been done yet, or the patient with C. diff has just had another massive incontinent stool five minutes after we changed her bed for the 10th time this morning. We get hungry and tired, we get cranky, and sometimes the social niceties are the first casualty of a long, frustrating shift. Again, it's not personal.......contrary to popular belief, nurses are people too, not perfect angels who never get upset or have a bad day. We've got mortgages and screaming kids and overdue bills just like everyone else. If someone is rude or condescending, that's a shame, and it does reflect badly on nursing as a profession.......but people are rude and condescending in other fields, too, and yet we rarely hear about nasty investment bankers or petty insurance agents.

Just my perspective. :)

Very well said, and bless you for working so well with the students. (we) need more nurses like you to mentor us. Thank you so much.

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While I haven't started nursing school yet (will start this Fall), I did have to do hospital clinicals while I was in Paramedic school 7 years ago. From reading the boards here, it seems like we had to do some of the same stuff as nursing students ie. Iv's, push meds., pt. assessments, V.S., ect.

Anyway, my first clinical experience started out horribly. I showed up in the ER on my scheduled day early and eager to learn. I met the nurse I was supposed to be assigned to that night. When I introduced myself she said "Well, I don't know what you expect to do tonight because I'm head nurse and don't have time for a student. I guess you can just walk around the hopital or go sit in the lounge." While I understood she was going to be busy, I was just floored by her attitude! Luckily, I had been to that ER numerous times as an EMT bringing in pt.'s and knew one of the other nurses there. I asked the head nurse if I could hang out with the other nurse and she said "I suppose so." I had a wonderful time with the other nurse and I was greatful I was able to shadow her instead of the head nurse. She let me perform all the procedures I was there to accomplish -- something I don't think I would have had the chance to do with the other woman. :chuckle

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While I haven't started nursing school yet (will start this Fall), I did have to do hospital clinicals while I was in Paramedic school 7 years ago. From reading the boards here, it seems like we had to do some of the same stuff as nursing students ie. Iv's, push meds., pt. assessments, V.S., ect.

Anyway, my first clinical experience started out horribly. I showed up in the ER on my scheduled day early and eager to learn. I met the nurse I was supposed to be assigned to that night. When I introduced myself she said "Well, I don't know what you expect to do tonight because I'm head nurse and don't have time for a student. I guess you can just walk around the hopital or go sit in the lounge." While I understood she was going to be busy, I was just floored by her attitude! Luckily, I had been to that ER numerous times as an EMT bringing in pt.'s and knew one of the other nurses there. I asked the head nurse if I could hang out with the other nurse and she said "I suppose so." I had a wonderful time with the other nurse and I was greatful I was able to shadow her instead of the head nurse. She let me perform all the procedures I was there to accomplish -- something I don't think I would have had the chance to do with the other woman. :chuckle

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Specializes in Gerontological, cardiac, med-surg, peds.

I am a relatively new nursing instructor. Believe me, I appreciate all that the kind-hearted but harried floor nurses do for my students. There have been some that have gone out of their way to make my students' clinical experiences a great one, and again, kudos to you.

My students and I have had a wonderful clinical experience this semester (unlike last year :eek: ) in a small community hospital in my hometown which had never had nursing students before. This has turned out to be the best clinical site of all! The nurses have treated us like royal guests and could not have been kinder or more hospitable to me or to my students. :)

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Specializes in Gerontological, cardiac, med-surg, peds.

I am a relatively new nursing instructor. Believe me, I appreciate all that the kind-hearted but harried floor nurses do for my students. There have been some that have gone out of their way to make my students' clinical experiences a great one, and again, kudos to you.

My students and I have had a wonderful clinical experience this semester (unlike last year :eek: ) in a small community hospital in my hometown which had never had nursing students before. This has turned out to be the best clinical site of all! The nurses have treated us like royal guests and could not have been kinder or more hospitable to me or to my students. :)

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Personally, I enjoy working with students. Most students I work with have been fairly competent. I don't tear them down if they make a silly mistake. God knows, I was certainly not a star student when I was in school! I can remember having instructors who didn't think I would make it as a nurse and I can remember working with staff nurses who were rude. I decided when I was a student that one day when I was the RN and I was working with a student, I would be kind and respectful. It works quite well. Those students will someday be your co-workers. I say, be good to them and teach them well!

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