I'm a senior nursing student, with only 3 more semesters til graduation! In my clinical rotations this summer, I noticed something that really annoyed me... RUDE nurses and doctors! It seems as though many of them really despise nursing students. I understand the common "reasons": such as they aren't paid enough to teach us, students can be know-it-alls, students make mistakes, students take too long, etc. etc.. but have they forgotten when THEY were students? The attitudes from the RN's and LPN's on one of the floors I was on for six weeks were not positive. It was only subtle things.. such as when I'd walk onto the floor and say "Good morning" to the staff (sitting around the nurses station) and maybe 1 out of 8 would mumble "morning". Or it would be the little comments about "man, I wish I were a student and could do such and such...." while they were rolling their eyes. There were other things as well. I just needed to vent. Has anyone else had similar experiences while in clinical?
I just hope that when I am a seasoned RN, when dealing with students I will remember how I felt.
A few of my teachers have pointed out that sometimes nurses are not happy because we as students are looking at every little detail and often catch mistakes. Also, in her (the teacher)'s experience, students have caught things like Clonus/DTR's on postpartal women and even noticed very important variations int hings like vitals on postpartals.
Also, nursing students ask a lot of questions because we are learning so much and that can be odd for them sometimes.
But on the flip side my teacher has told us that the nurses like us being there because we help with vitals, bed changes and tray passing...who knows! LOL!
I love to see people advancing and bettering themselves.I remember though even as a nursing students the students who had never even emptied a bedpan.I was a CNA who decided to become and Lpn and now am pursing an RN degree.I work Critical Care Peds and Home Health.I am sorry but when the new nursies all grow up they will look back and laugh at some of the dumb stuff they did.Like freaking out giving an injection or sweating buckshot over a clinical test on bedmaking.I did all of those.
Heres a funny incident:
I was giving my first actual injection to a patient.I had already done an orange multiple times and we all gave each other saline but this was the real McCoy.
Well it was a very large woman with leathery skin and what was I to give????
Procaine Pennicillin using a carpujet.Well I had never even seen a carpujet.So together the instructor and I figured this neat little screw on type out.Then
the pennicillin is totally thick.So over to the patient I go and bam I get ready to Z track.Well the needle did not go in but bounced off her rubbery skin and onto the floor.I held my face calm.My instructor turned beet red.I finally did give the shot but the instructor was extremely ansy and mad about the flub.She gave me the MEAN EYES and proceeded to put the used syringe in the disposal and when she did the whole thing came off the wall and fell on the floor spilling all the contents.Boy did she chew me out when we got into the hallway.All I did was what I was told.Now that I look back its funny but at the time I have to say I was secretly glad about the syringe incident as I felt she got what she deserved....lol.....
I love to see people advancing and bettering themselves.I remember though even as a nursing students the students who had never even emptied a bedpan.I was a CNA who decided to become and Lpn and now am pursing an RN degree.I work Critical Care Peds and Home Health.I am sorry but when the new nursies all grow up they will look back and laugh at some of the dumb stuff they did.Like freaking out giving an injection or sweating buckshot over a clinical test on bedmaking.I did all of those.
Heres a funny incident:
I was giving my first actual injection to a patient.I had already done an orange multiple times and we all gave each other saline but this was the real McCoy.
Well it was a very large woman with leathery skin and what was I to give????
Procaine Pennicillin using a carpujet.Well I had never even seen a carpujet.So together the instructor and I figured this neat little screw on type out.Then
the pennicillin is totally thick.So over to the patient I go and bam I get ready to Z track.Well the needle did not go in but bounced off her rubbery skin and onto the floor.I held my face calm.My instructor turned beet red.I finally did give the shot but the instructor was extremely ansy and mad about the flub.She gave me the MEAN EYES and proceeded to put the used syringe in the disposal and when she did the whole thing came off the wall and fell on the floor spilling all the contents.Boy did she chew me out when we got into the hallway.All I did was what I was told.Now that I look back its funny but at the time I have to say I was secretly glad about the syringe incident as I felt she got what she deserved....lol.....
LOL!!! My first injection was Depo... and I bounced the needle as well. OOPS!
I must say I did not enjoy my first clinical experience, no one in my rotation did. This was a very busy floor and the nurses did not have time to visit chat with us. One thing our entire group noticed was none of the nurses on that floor ever smiled and we all decided that we would not want to work there. It is so true that how we are treated in clinical helps us make our career decisions. I hope to get on a few other floors in my next rotation nad see if the grass is greener on the other side of the hill.
My second instructor was great and I wish she did all my clinicals. The staff were very informative also. But much lighter patient loads and I think that makes a huge difference.
I got to go to surgery and the staff was great. Gave me a tour of the whole surgery unit and told me everything they were doing, they were wonderful. I noticed during supper break that all the surgery staff sat together and their laughter filled the dining hall. That is a group I definitely want to work with. Plus, they wear such fun bonnets on their heads that I wont have to worry about doing my hair in the morning.
I understand the common "reasons": such as they aren't paid enough to teach us, students can be know-it-alls, students make mistakes, students take too long, etc. etc..
Megan
There's no excuse to being rude to anyone, students included. Some units have a "culture" and perhaps this unit is one of those. Hope things get better.
Sometimes there's a group of students whispering in the hallway, "can you believe that nurse just did that...whisper, whisper, whisper", being judgemetal, sensitive and arrogant. I try not to judge all students as that, hopefully you won't judge and think all nurses despise students, and definately don't forget what it feels like.
A few of my teachers have pointed out that sometimes nurses are not happy because we as students are looking at every little detail and often catch mistakes. LOL!
This instructor's attitude is part of what's wrong with nursing. Look how early the students get in on the dysfunction.
Just because we "feel" one way or the other does not give us the right to "take someone aside" and force them to hear about it. ... This is not feisty-ness. This is aggressive behavior.
Agree ... I agree so strongly, I wish I had an "applause" smiley to go with it!
I've had clinicals with nurses (and docs and other staff) who enriched my experience so much that I would have done anything and everything I could for them.
I've also had a day with a nurse who refused to speak to me, for 8 hours, other than first thing in the morning when she physically picked up my ID badge hanging around my neck and said, "what's your name again?" Throughout the day I would tell her something pertinent about the pt., and she would just sort of blink and walk away. Wasn't the most pleasant day ... but I LEARNED ANYWAY. And that's what I'm there for.
Yes, it's wonderful when the time and circumstances are optimal for some really enriching experiences, but it's not always gonna happen.
i've run into the same problems with nurses during clinicals. last semester in my ob rotation, i finally got fed up and asked the nurse if she remembered her clinical days as a student. she looked really startled....but by the end of my shift, she not only answered questions willingly but with a smile, and even told me a few stories about nurses who had been rude and uncooperative with her when she was a student...which got the rest of the nurses talking about their student days....things were much better after that.
i've run into the same problems with nurses during clinicals. last semester in my ob rotation, i finally got fed up and asked the nurse if she remembered her clinical days as a student. she looked really startled....but by the end of my shift, she not only answered questions willingly but with a smile, and even told me a few stories about nurses who had been rude and uncooperative with her when she was a student...which got the rest of the nurses talking about their student days....things were much better after that.
the fact that she looked startled might be testimony to the fact that she was unaware of her actions on students. i think sometimes this might be the case, nurses are so busy and into their own thing and stressed out that perhaps it's misinterpreted.
i was in charge one day and just got off the phone with an irate doctor when a new grad came up to ask a question. i had such a stressed demeander i took a deep breath and she walked away "i'm sorry to bother you....." i'm sure to talk about me on some message board about "nurses eating their young". of course, i apologized and explained it wasn't about her.
so sometimes guys, it really isn't about you.
kudos to you for pointing it out to her. shaped her right up! perhaps that's the answer. to gently explain how their behavior is affecting you.
I'm a senior nursing student, with only 3 more semesters til graduation! In my clinical rotations this summer, I noticed something that really annoyed me... RUDE nurses and doctors! It seems as though many of them really despise nursing students. I understand the common "reasons": such as they aren't paid enough to teach us, students can be know-it-alls, students make mistakes, students take too long, etc. etc.. but have they forgotten when THEY were students? The attitudes from the RN's and LPN's on one of the floors I was on for six weeks were not positive. It was only subtle things.. such as when I'd walk onto the floor and say "Good morning" to the staff (sitting around the nurses station) and maybe 1 out of 8 would mumble "morning". Or it would be the little comments about "man, I wish I were a student and could do such and such...." while they were rolling their eyes. There were other things as well. I just needed to vent. Has anyone else had similar experiences while in clinical?
I just hope that when I am a seasoned RN, when dealing with students I will remember how I felt.
Megan
I just graduated. Oh what a great feeling. My last semester I precepted on the unit I want to work on, I was blessed this time to have a preceptor who understands and remembers what it is like to be a nursing student, also something I pray I never forget. I have unfortunately ran into nurses (some that just graduated a couple of semesters ahead of me in the hospital that have the attitude that students are beneath them. Getting back to the unit I want to work on, my preceptor recommended me for an open position and was talking to some of the other nurses on this unit, a couple of them stated they did not want to work with a new grad. My preceptor aksed them what they thought they were when they came to work there? I think everyone needs to remember everyone starts somewhere and we all have to learn.
Sorry you feel that way but I have a passion to help and care for other and thats what I intend to do. I am a strong willed head strong person. I, as a student am suppose to let someone roll their eyes, ignore me when I ask questions,etc. WHY? It does make sense. If I where an RN I would never do that to any student looking to me for guidance and support. We do to each other what we don't like for others to do to use. We devalue each other before we even give each other a chance. As students if we accept being treated that way we expect for the behavior to continue and we perpetuate the cycle into our careers. And if we are guest on the unit why not treat us as such. You wouldn't invite someone over your house and treat them poorly. And beleive it or not I am very easy going but there are times were people use that to their advantage to try to get over on me and it won't happen. I am and have learned that there are times to humble yourself and there times you stand up for yourself and life has taught me when to react and when not to. I read alot of post about nursing and how people don't view it as being perfessional or respectful. How in the hell can we ask anyone to respect us if we can not respect our own. Nurse students are only looking to become what RNs are, so why treat us so poorly. WRONG IS WRONG IS WRONG and accepting such behavior does not make it right. I do not seem to understand your place. What is my place? In no way, shape, or form do I disrespect anyone and I would like to have the favor returned. I am an excellent student, excellent mother, excellent employee, and will be an excellent nurse. And when is return the respect that I give oweing me something. Staying out of their way is one thing but rolling eyes and not speaking when spoken to is another. There is no room for viciousness in nursing. None. From what I am reading it is already running rapid and unless I'm will to stand up for myself and let others know that they can not treat me any kind of way...... I'm a gooner. People only do what you allow them to do and to those they can. I just want to make it know early that I am not one of those people. Yes I would be most greatful for the oppurtunity but in such a situation what do you do? Do I sit idle and accepted these type of behavoir all semester long. And if this is what I am supposed to do what does that say about our profession. I read the complaints about hospitals being under staff and nurses streched thin all the time so I can't figure out for the life of me why would nurses act like this to nursing student. We may not be an assest to RNs now but when I graduate and decrease their patient load I will be.
It is funny, how from one post you can tell me what I am not suited for:chuckle .
It is funny, how you can take my confidence, non nonsense attitued, and my strong stance on repecting each other and misinterpret into "demanding arrogant behavior":rotfl: .
It is funny, that in all your negative words there is nothing positive:chuckle .
And you know what is most funny...... is that I'm not laughing.........We as nurses will never progress as a profession because we spend to much time stepping one each other. Physically and verbally making a nursing student feel as though their not wanted is wrong............. and why shouldn't anyone say anything about it.
I am only one person. Like I said before I hope to make a big difference in the smallest ways. I want to enjoy the things that I love about nursing and CHANGE the things that I don't. One of the biggest complains that RNs have is that they are under appriecated by other professions, so why make your own feel that way.:uhoh21:
I pretty much agree with your post-yes, we are guests on the floor but that doesn't give a staff nurse the right to take out her bad day or her frustrations on others, student or not. I have been fortunate, because most of the RN's I work with in clinical are nice to the students. No one is born knowing everything about nursing, and the "nurses eat their young" phenomenon is a big part of the nursing shortage. Stay strong, girl! You seem like you have a passion for nursing and the backbone not to let anyone break you. Nursing needs people like this.
Does the staff that treats new students badly, treat new grads the same way?
(As a student I am in a clinical setting that I have decided I will not seek employment in nor would I choose to be a patient there for me, family ,or friends)
Physically and verbally making a nursing student feel as though their not wanted is wrong............. and why shouldn't anyone say anything about it.
cherokeesummer
739 Posts
A few of my teachers have pointed out that sometimes nurses are not happy because we as students are looking at every little detail and often catch mistakes. Also, in her (the teacher)'s experience, students have caught things like Clonus/DTR's on postpartal women and even noticed very important variations int hings like vitals on postpartals.
Also, nursing students ask a lot of questions because we are learning so much and that can be odd for them sometimes.
But on the flip side my teacher has told us that the nurses like us being there because we help with vitals, bed changes and tray passing...who knows! LOL!