Don't do this in clinical..

[ArtClassRN]

Hey everybody,

I precept a lot of nurses during their med surg clinicals and for capstone/preceptorships.

The other day, a student doing a clinical day was talking with her professor and other nurses about prospective jobs after graduation. She was talking about how much she hates the med surg environment (except apparently when it progresses her towards a nursing license) and listing off some very attractive 9-5 clinic jobs she is going to pursue.

It was pointed out that most of the jobs she noted require experience and she said, "Yeah, but I have worked in a group home for 15 years. I do all the things the nurses do and know way more than them anyway, so that is better than having two years of med surg experience."

While group homes do provide valuable experience, there is no substitute for licensed nursing experience.

I sort of wrote her off and was very thankful she was not my student. Given her attitude, I would refuse to allow her anywhere near my patients. A student who thinks she knows everything (hell anyone who thinks they know everything) is a very dangerous caregiver.

Have fun and good luck!

[frivoloussal]

My guess is that she will change her mind when SHE becomes an RN. But not because she was proven wrong...but because SHE is an RN, now. And then it will be something to the tune of: "LVNs think they have it hard? HA! Not as hard as meeeeee! But who is this MSN? B***h think she know better than me?"

We all know those people...

[nervousnursehopeful]

I am so fed up with these people that know everything! Just this week I had this girl who I've been talking to some about my nursing school experience, tell me that going to LPN school is "Pointless" and that she has decided to be a CNA because they are the "SAME" ... I was so upset. I do not take being slapped in the face well, especially when all I have done is help this person. But she will see for herself, just like your student will. I am always very gracious and thankful and watch what I say to people in my clinical facilities. Yet then again I also don't see myself as being above anything!

[kmdanku]

Wow !! THank you for that story...sad the student was not thankful for the experiences they gained..

[kylejoe244]

One day in my stats class I was saying how my original goal was to become a doctor, then it became a PA and now it's a nurse. And a diploma RN said something like how she can do some things better than doctors and stuff like that. I didn't say anything, I know a RN has less schooling and lower pay, yeah you may have a skill down better than a doctor, but so what I'm sure a doctor most likely has more overall knowledge and same for a PA compared to an RN.

[isonacloud]

Yes, it must be so difficult for those people who think that having great academics = success. I like getting As (as does everyone else) but I took it to heart when an instructor said that the A-students make the worst nurses because they are so difficult to teach. They read everything in the book, know everything by the book and then think that's how it should play out in real life. Hah, no -- as much as As are important to me, being a good nurse is siginificantly more important. When we're told, "Learn the book for the NCLEX. Learn what we tell you for the real world." they mean it!!!!

I really appreciate you sharing this. I'm in my first semester of nursing school, I have 3 weeks left of my first semester and it looks like I'm probably going to get straight Bs... Before nursing school, I was a straight A student... not anymore. I'm a perfectionist, so it's been a little difficult for me to accept the B's and not get anything higher than a B on exams even though I'm studying so much and working so hard... It's also difficult when my classmates always compare their grades and talk about their A's and good grades (my class is pretty competitive)... But I know that nursing school is completely different than other schools. So far I have loved nursing school, I have loved everything I've been learning and every experience, especially in clinicals, has been life-changing. I just have to keep reminding myself that having straight A's does not necessarily make a good nurse. I just want to be able to learn as much as I can from nursing school and be able to care for people the way I was cared for by nurses when I had to spend time in the hospital. Nursing school is definitely hard and a humbling experience but I definitely love it :) Thanks again for your post it's definitely encouraging :)

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

One day in my stats class I was saying how my original goal was to become a doctor, then it became a PA and now it's a nurse. And a diploma RN said something like how she can do some things better than doctors and stuff like that. I didn't say anything, I know a RN has less schooling and lower pay, yeah you may have a skill down better than a doctor, but so what I'm sure a doctor most likely has more overall knowledge and same for a PA compared to an RN.

A physician has no more "overall knowledge" than anyone of comparable intellect. Physicians are (generally) skilled in medicine, which is what they took education in. Nurses are (generally) skilled in nursing, a wholly different specialty which is neither subservient to nor dependent on medicine, and is not inferior to it.

But I suspect the originator of this somewhat trolling statement knew that was coming. :)

[DosmoRN]

The student only reveals... how little she knows. She is one that must learn everything the hard way (hopefully not at any patient's expense). She's setting herself up for some rude shocks and embarassing experiences. When they come, she'll be glad if none of those who know her now, are there to see!

Wonder how she will do the first time a doctor yells at (pardon me, "harshly criticizes" her) in front of others.

(I've been retired for quite a while, but I assume physicians still do this on occasion)

[DosmoRN]

Wonder how she'll do the first time some doctor yells at her ( maybe I should say "harshly criticizes" her ) in front of others.

[amoLucia]

Don't know if anyone else noticed this but, accdg to OP, the student's PROFESSOR was also in the group discussion/chit-chat. Say what?

Something is amiss there. Unless I'm missing something I question the standards of the school's professionalism. So might it not be such a surprise that the student exhibits such questionable opinions?

To me, the instructor's conversation inclusion implies covert acceptance (unless she spoke up to the student later). Does anyone else think my way?