I am in my second semester of an ASN program. We started our first hospital clinicals a few weeks ago. Things were fine when I was in observation on other units, but when I was put on the Medical/Surgical unit to participate in patient care, everything went down hill! The nurses on the unit are SO VERY RUDE! The nurse manager actually yelled at another student in front of a patient! And the student had done nothing wrong (truly, the instructor even said she was not doing anything wrong). This manager also was very hateful with me. The nurse responsible for my first patient brushed me off, telling me to go find something else to do and she would find me when she was done with report (I was supposed to get report for the patient I was assigned to) and then walked past me, ignoring me when she was done. She wouldn't have anything to do with me the entire shift. Then today, I had the same issues, being ignored and feeling lost because I didn't know what to do. I tried to find the instructor but she must have been off the floor, couldn't find anyone to be nice to me. I told a girl I was sick and left. I just finally stopped crying. I am miserable at this clinical site. We have 9 left (2 a week) then switch to OB/Peds which I have heard the RNs are even worse! A group actually pulled out of their clinicals here on Med/Surg because the instructor refused to go back to the hospital. They transferred to another facility. I have heard there have been numerous problems with this hospital. I live in a kind of rural area, so clinical space is extremely limited, which is why I am assuming we are still here. I have heard there have been meetings betweeen the school and administration at the hospital, but nothing is being done.
I can't quit over something like this. I know that I will have to learn how to deal with people like this because they are everywhere. I have worked in Dr. offices and have been cornered and yelled at by some pretty mean docs. That I can deal with. But when I am in a setting where the RNs are supposed to be our teachers and take us under their wings, remember their own experiences, and helping us and they don't and are down right rude, I have a really hard time dealing with that! Anyone have any advice? Anyone had any similar experiences? I am at a loss. The only thing I can think to do is go in tomorrow with the attitude that it's going to be a better day and not take anymore crap! I am normally a person who can't bite her tongue, but as a student there is a line that I am afraid to cross, but I am ready to say screw that line and just tell them how it is!
I am a new nurse, so no students yet for me. however, i can only guess that it provokes a lot of anxiety to have unskilled students performing any procedures and giving meds to a patient that YOU, the nurse, are responsible for. Also, with the amount of work there is to be done, it would be hard to stop and explain everything to a student, especially one you didn't choose for yourself, who may or may not be the brightest bulb in the box.
That said, I was always very surprised by the level of autonomy I had during clinicals. I never had a nurse that didn't put me out on my own, only coming around if i had questions. I don't know how I could ever be comfortable giving up so much control.
OK, I'll just have to trust you. Get some sleep, you aren't making any sense!
Why don't the instructors just say, "leave the nurses alone and if you have any questions either find me or do some research" you know what I mean?
Trust me I would NOT want to try and babysit some certain people I know that want to be nursing students! I wouldn't want them near my patients...or me
i can only guess that it provokes a lot of anxiety to have unskilled students performing any procedures and giving meds to a patient that YOU, the nurse, are responsible for. Also, with the amount of work there is to be done, it would be hard to stop and explain everything to a student, especially one you didn't choose for yourself, who may or may not be the brightest bulb in the box.
I keep seeing that it's "not the nurses responsibility to teach the student".
Okay. Fair enough. But don't you think it should be? Does it really put that much of a burden on them to help teach a little bit? In the grand scheme of things, it's more beneficial to them if they DO help out and teach because how do they know that when that new grad is looking for a job, that they won't end up on the same unit as that nurse? And if their more educated, then they'll spend less time bugging you with questions and interfering with your work.
I dunno. I just thought nurses should be compassionate people. Maybe I've romanticized the profession a little too much...
it certainly would not hurt these nurses/pca's/unit secretaries to just be POLITE to us. I don't expect them to baby-sit me or hold my hand...but how about responding when I say "hi" or saying "excuse me" when the knock shoulders with me (and yeah, I know she did that on purpose!)
I hope I can manage to be friendly and helpful to NS's when I graduate!
Girl, I think this is a universal problem. I loved the nurse I worked with ...The aids were rude to my classmates and the unit secretary (im a unit secretary for an ER not a med surg floor.. I KNOW ABOUT STRESS) isnt helpful at all!
She had the chart I was looking for, so I asked her if she seen it ..She gives my the run around ...after I walk away she yells "you have 4 eyes and you still cant see"
I wanted to snatch her weave off. It was open, RIGHT NEXT TO HER.
Haters.
Do what YOU have to do ...they are rude so you wont bother them, they want to intimidate you so you stop going to them. Dont. Continue to do whats best for the patient, this is temporary. Who knows maybe one day you will be THEIR nurse manager and they'll have to answer to you.
Even though I am neither a nursing student (yet) nor a nurse. I can see things clearly from both sides of the fence. I am the type of person that loves to help people, and help them to understand things. I would love to be an instructor when I feel too old for bedside nursing. But if I were way too busy, or having a bad day, or just did not like the nursing student. I can see why a nurse might want nothing to do with the student(s). Especially if it is not required of them and/or their job.
And if I was a student nurse who was paired with a nurse who wanted nothing to do with me, didn't help me, etc. I would be upset. I also think it should be their job, but it isn't, and there isn't much that can be done about that. So, do what you have to do to gain the knowledge and experience that can be done, without anybody to help you.
Just so you know, my instructor understood and was off the floor at the time. Just because it's not in an RNs job description to teach doesn't mean they should be so extremely RUDE to the students and hinder our learning. An RN today in the ED refused to let the students participate in patient care. I have definitely learned one thing from this clinical experience and that's how NOT to act as a nurse. I don't expect the nurses to stop and teach me something step by step, that's what I paid for lab for. All I am asking for is common courtesy and it doesn't take much time out a busy day just to answer when I ask where something is. I know that patient's are an RNs priority, but the pt I am assigned is my priority as well.
To EVERYONE else
Thank you so much for the advice. I went into clinical today with a new attitude and it went much better. I went to the pt chart first and got all of the info from there, then the cardex. I also went into the pt room with the doctor and got a lot more information. I worked closely with the patient care tech, who was amazing. I had a good experience today and plan to the rest of the rotation. THANKS again to all those who understand where I am coming from.
I agree. All I ask is for common courtesy. If I ask where something is, just tell me instead of grumbling and walking away! I don't work here and it wouldn't take but 2 seconds to just tell me where it is. I don't expect the nurse to stop and "teach" me everything. I would just like to be treated as a person and not the dirt on the floor.
it certainly would not hurt these nurses/pca's/unit secretaries to just be POLITE to us. I don't expect them to baby-sit me or hold my hand...but how about responding when I say "hi" or saying "excuse me" when the knock shoulders with me (and yeah, I know she did that on purpose!)
I hope I can manage to be friendly and helpful to NS's when I graduate!
I've experienced people like this in my previous career. I always feel a bit sorry for people who are so rude as to ignore/not use any manners/bump shoulders, etc. They must either be having a really bad day or be really unhappy people. Either way, I take the high road. I'm still very polite, smile at them and make sure I use my manners. You know that old saying "you kill more bees with honey than with vinegar"....
OP, keep your chin up. Try not to fall into the trap of negative thinking. Do your job, be polite and kind and nobody can say anything bad about you. Oh, and don't apply there after graduating!
Just want to tell you that I'm feeling your pain. I'm not in a rural area, but the nurses and PCAs on our Med/Surg clinical floor act like they are just mad at the world. They apparently forget that they were students at some point in their lives! They are rude, talk badly about patients out in the open at the nurses station, and won't let us do anything but give bed baths and change linens. I appreciate everything that the PCAs do because they are great and I don't want this to sound rude but I'm not spending all of this time and money to become a PCA...I think I know by now how to change linens and bathe someone. I'm there to learn and they don't want to help us do that. We've talked to our instructor but to no avail. But don't worry about OB...unless you've heard specifically that you cinical site is awful anyway. I'm in Med/Surg AND OB right now and myself and my group absolutely LOVE OB and all the nurses we work with. We've only had a rude anesthesiologist...but for the most part everyone is great.
Good luck with everything! Just remind yourself that you won't be that kind of nurse and that's why you are going to school! Don't let it push you out of school!!
Miss pat, have you considered that maybe you're part of a self-fulfilling prophecy?? You've heard the horror stories about that facility and expect to be treated badly?? Just a thought.
I would go to clinical and do my utmost best to provide care for my patient. If the nurse won't give you report, then look at the chart and orders. Look up the labs. Look up the procedures. GET report.
The nurses are not required to teach you...that's not in *my* job description at all. I LOVE having students, though...and do my best to make sure they have great learning experiences. But you have to accept that not everybody wants to teach and, in fact, they don't have to. Your learning experience is YOUR responsibility...and your instructor's.
Go to clinical...do your best...and learn from the good AND the bad. And whatever you do, please please please don't ever leave a clinical site again.
truern
Just so you know, my instructor understood and was off the floor at the time. Just because it's not in an RNs job description to teach doesn't mean they should be so extremely RUDE to the students and hinder our learning. An RN today in the ED refused to let the students participate in patient care. I have definitely learned one thing from this clinical experience and that's how NOT to act as a nurse. I don't expect the nurses to stop and teach me something step by step, that's what I paid for lab for. All I am asking for is common courtesy and it doesn't take much time out a busy day just to answer when I ask where something is. I know that patient's are an RNs priority, but the pt I am assigned is my priority as well.
To EVERYONE else
Thank you so much for the advice. I went into clinical today with a new attitude and it went much better. I went to the pt chart first and got all of the info from there, then the cardex. I also went into the pt room with the doctor and got a lot more information. I worked closely with the patient care tech, who was amazing. I had a good experience today and plan to the rest of the rotation. THANKS again to all those who understand where I am coming from.
Nice job of projecting. I believe it was *I* that advised you to get the chart, the kardex, etc. That you would disregard and disrespect my post to you says a lot. I do understand where you're coming from...it wasn't that long ago that I was a student. I can see both sides where you can't...no fault of yours, though.
I honestly don't think students realize the added responsibility of having students. Each assessment the student does, the RN has to reassess. Each medication given has to be double checked and documentation assured.. Student charting has to be reviewed and signed by the RN. It's MUCH easier to simply do the assessments, give the meds, do the charting myself, BUT BECAUSE I DO KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE BEING A STUDENT I GO THE EXTRA MILE TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE GREAT CLINICALS WITH ME.
It just chaps my hide, though, when students don't appreciate it, although I've only seen it on here, thank goodness. I've had up to three students at a time because they request me.
vashtee, RN
1,065 Posts
I am a new nurse, so no students yet for me. however, i can only guess that it provokes a lot of anxiety to have unskilled students performing any procedures and giving meds to a patient that YOU, the nurse, are responsible for. Also, with the amount of work there is to be done, it would be hard to stop and explain everything to a student, especially one you didn't choose for yourself, who may or may not be the brightest bulb in the box.
That said, I was always very surprised by the level of autonomy I had during clinicals. I never had a nurse that didn't put me out on my own, only coming around if i had questions. I don't know how I could ever be comfortable giving up so much control.