Don't like making nurses mad!!

Boog'sCRRN246, RN · Nov 18, 2009

What is it that you're trying to elicit from them by bringing it up?

llg, PhD, RN · Nov 18, 2009

In most cases, it's best not to make a big deal of things like that. You are there to learn from them -- not to debate the finer points of care with them -- and definitely not to criticise their practice. They are being nice by allowing you to shadow them. Don't give them cause for distress unless you have to.

It's OK to ask why they do a procedure a certain way, etc. They should be willing to answer a few questions about what they are doing. However, do not argue with them or start a debate. That is not what you are there for -- and may insult those nurses who have been nice enough to allow you to tag along with them.

FlyingScot, RN · Nov 18, 2009

You say nothing. You are only shadowing. When you get on the floor in clinicals you do it the way you were taught. If someone questions you you tell them "this is the way I was taught to do it" and leave it at that. Be open to the idea that the way you were taught may not be be correct either. That was my experience when precepting a bunch of students from the same school and I am absolutely positive that they were wrong (the CI was admonished and the technique re-taught). You are certainly entitled to have an opinion but as a student your opinion will only be valuable to the staff if they ask you for it. Actually that pretty much will hold true throughout your entire adult life in any situation. A lesson I learned the hard way.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Nov 18, 2009

as a nursing student, how can you tactfully and respectfully, talk to the nurses that
you shadow about procedures that are being done in ways that we've been advised against,
or not performed how we've being taught in school? i've been told that "this is the real world",and "nursing school only teaches you what you need to pass the boards". i don't agree with this, but as a student i feel like my opinion doesn't matter, and only causes problems, especially with those
whom i will be working with when i graduate. any ideas please?

feel free to ask questions tactfully and respectfully. nurses should be able to tell you the rationale for the way they're doing things. but it's not up to you to correct any nurse who has been nice enough to allow you to follow her/him around. you are absolutely right -- as a student, your opinion does not matter.

DLS_PMHNP, MSN, RN, NP · Nov 18, 2009

how can you tactfully and respectfully, talk to the nurses that
you shadow about procedures that are being done in ways that we've been advised against,
or not performed how we've being taught in school?

If I did every procedure the way I was taught in school, my 12 hour shifts would turn into 18 hours.

NEVER say to an RN (as a student) "this isn't the way we are/were taught in school." I'm pretty sure you would get eaten alive. :twocents: Go with the flow while you are in school, it will make your life MUCH easier

-Diane

ErinJane · Nov 18, 2009

Don't get the wrong impression, alot of the RNs I've worked with wouldn't get mad if you said that, but they might still want to teach you their way. As long as they aren't causing real or potential harm to the pt. the way they perform the procedure I would just watch and take notes.

Honestly, short cuts can be your best friend on the floor.

Just take notes and then determine how you are going to perform the procedures when you get out there.

majrpn · Nov 19, 2009

Yoy know, I totally agree with you!!! I can see how the short cuts are very useful!

NamasteNurse, BSN, RN · Nov 19, 2009

but as a student I feel like my opinion doesn't matter, and only causes problems"

You must listen to your gut---that's right, your opinions don't matter as a student. You are there to observe not pass judgment. In fact, your opinions don't ever matter in this field, we are supposed to NOT give opinions ever, only information so patients can make an informed choice. Opinions have no place in nursing.

That said, I too am an idealistic nursing student learning to keep my mouth SHUT in clinical. We started the year with 54 students and I can tell you that we lost 40 of them and many were because they didn't know how to avoid getting in trouble. Keep quiet and do your work. Watch and learn, do what's right and do what you need to do in order to pass!

tencat · Nov 19, 2009

Opinions HAVE a place in nursing, but you only earn the right to have one when you know what you're talking about. So, as a student our opinions don't count because we have no idea what we're talking about....does that make sense? Once you've been a nurse, you can certainly have an opinion; we're not little dutiful handmaidens who do whatever the doctor says without question, though some places would like us to think we are. But I don't work for any place like that.....

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Nov 20, 2009

but as a student I feel like my opinion doesn't matter, and only causes problems"
You must listen to your gut---that's right, your opinions don't matter as a student. You are there to observe not pass judgment. In fact, your opinions don't ever matter in this field, we are supposed to NOT give opinions ever, only information so patients can make an informed choice. Opinions have no place in nursing.
That said, I too am an idealistic nursing student learning to keep my mouth SHUT in clinical. We started the year with 54 students and I can tell you that we lost 40 of them and many were because they didn't know how to avoid getting in trouble. Keep quiet and do your work. Watch and learn, do what's right and do what you need to do in order to pass!

I agree with everything that has been said in this thread except this bolded part. If it wasn't for opinions, change and progress would never occur. Changes occur because nurses thought to themselves "There has got to be a better way"

GeneralJinjur · Nov 20, 2009

When I see something done "incorrectly" I ask about it (in the hall, where the patient can't hear). I say, "I haven't seen that before. Can you tell me about your method?" I've just finished 2nd semester clinicals and haven't offended any of the nurses I've shadowed, so I feel pretty confident that it works (at least, none of them have complained).

Also, I have had many nurses announce that this isn't necessarily the best way, but they are choosing to take a shortcut and would rather I didn't copy them this time. I'm fine with that. At the end of the day, I can learn from any nurse; good, bad or indifferent.