I got placed on clinical probation today. *sob* *sob*

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Today, my instructor tried to get me on something to put me on probation for 30 days. I am in my first semester of nursing school, and this is my third week of clinicals. I was never a CNA before so I am new in the hospital. My instructor chose something that I did wrong and put me on probation. The reason for the probation was because I put the feeding tube on hold because I was giving a bed bath to a patient. After the bed bath, I turned on the feeding tube by myself without notifying her that I would turn it on. There was no verbal warning for this, just probation for a rookie's mistake. For that reason, she put me on probation and she listed a list of improvements that I have to do in 30 days. If I do not improve, I am a goner.. :crying2: :crying2: I did not feel mad at my instructor. Maybe, she knew that I needed improvement and had to pick something from me that I did wrong so she can list the improvements that I need done. I think my problems is writing a care plan with nursing interventions. Geez, I feel bad but under the circumstances that I was in, I did my best. Maybe I will be a goner soon since another instructor will evaluate my list of improvements that I need to make.:crying2: :crying2: :crying2::crying2: :crying2:

Keep your head up! You can do it! Just remember the desire to do something is much stronger when someone tells you that you cannot do it!!!--

It will be okay, Just don't give up! :rotfl: :kiss

Keep your head up! You can do it! Just remember the desire to do something is much stronger when someone tells you that you cannot do it!!!--

It will be okay, Just don't give up! :rotfl: :kiss

Thanks for the encouragement. For some reason, I did not put up an argument on why she put me on prabation for a rookie's mistake. Geez, it is going to be hard now. Everything has to be done perfectly without error. That will be a very hard battle.

I was not hostile to the instructor. If she wanted to put me on probation and end my future career goal, it was up to her. :crying2: :crying2: :crying2: I would have problems anyway in the future clinicals if she seen me as incompetent. But maybe, she does not like me or it is my personality that she does not like and that is why she done it. If it was that, that would be super bad...:crying2: :crying2:

If you possibly can, try not to focus too much on making a mistake during clinicals because the more you focus on it, the more your anxiety is going to build and the harder you try not to make a mistake that's when it happens.

Just focus on what you need to do, ask the instructor for help, be receptive to any communications from her and pray, pray, pray.

My heart goes out to you. Hang in there and good luck.

Specializes in Med-Surg.

Good luck in clinicals.

Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
The reason for the probation was because I put the feeding tube on hold because I was giving a bed bath to a patient. After the bed bath, I turned on the feeding tube by myself without notifying her that I would turn it on. There was no verbal warning for this, just probation for a rookie's mistake....Maybe, she knew that I needed improvement and had to pick something from me that I did wrong so she can list the improvements that I need done.

I certainly don't mean to rub salt in your wounds, so to speak, but what you did *is* kind of a big deal. I don't think her choosing that for which to put you on probation was "just an excuse."

Was she aware that you turned *off* the NG tube? Under whose authorization was the tube turned off? Why would you need to turn it off for a bed bath anyway?

I also think you're going about the situation with the wrong attitude. You're taking it personally, and deflecting the responsibility by saying "Well, she must just not like me." How about reflecting on what happened and figure out where your responsibility lies, and what you can do differently next time? I think that would be a bit more productive.

Specializes in Me Surge.

It was correct to turn off the feeding tube during a bed bath. Lying flat increases the risk of aspiration. If it was an NG tube its good idea to verify placement after moving and rolling the patient. Since you are first semester student the RN or instructor would need to do this. Also if a feeding is being turned off the tube must be flushed with water.

Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
It was correct to turn off the feeding tube during a bed bath. Lying flat increases the risk of aspiration.

Ah, that's why. With the pts. I've had with NG tubes to whom I've given bed baths, I didn't lay them flat.

Well thats just stupid! Dont sweat it! Keep your head up and just be SUPER careful with all that you do! When I was in my 3rd semester in OB my pt asked me for some asparin and I went into the room and she was on the phone so I set it down and turned around to walk out, (and did) and then my instructor wrote me up the next day. Now I never leave the room untill the pt swallows the pills. Just learn from your mistakes and you will be fine.

Specializes in critical care; community health; psych.

As a first semester student, your instructor would have been wise to tell you not to lay the patient flat, even for the bed bath. For instance, "the head of the bed should be no lower than 30 degrees at all times". That way, you wouldn't have had to mess with the tube at all.

Try to realize that the instructor is putting her license on the line for any mistakes that we students make. It's not a matter of like or dislike. I hope she explained the error to you so that you understood what went wrong and what could have happened and how you could have done things differently. Maybe the instructor learned something too.

Specializes in LTC/Behavioral/ Hospice.

Well, it's time to evaluate where you are and what you can do to get off clinical probation. Do you need more practice? Do you need to review before you go to clinicals? I wouldn't take it personally, but see this as a challenge and something to overcome! You can do this. Put the extra time and effort needed into making sure you do things as close to the way your instructor wants it done so that she can see that you are serious about this. Hang in there! :)

Specializes in Med/Surg.

I know this is a tough time but don't look at it as completely negative. Start by accepting that you made a mistake and then see it as an opportunity to learn from it. Whenever you are in clinical and when you get into practice, slow down and carefully think through each and every step of a given situation. It is a good idea to try to anticipate any situation that may arise while you are doing your clinical prep work. For example if your patient is on a PCA and you walk into the room and his/her resps are 8/min. How much Narcan do I give and what is my next step. If you are giving your patient an IV antibiotic for the 1st time, do you have an order for PRN Benadryl, and so on and so forth. You can never over plan when it comes to patient care. Show your instructor you really want to be the best Nurse that you can be.

Hang in there and keep your chin up!

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