Favorite clinical instructor....and why?

Nurses General Nursing

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My favorite clinical instructor turned out to be the one I feared "getting", because she was known as tough. She expected preparation, and it turns out that is the key to success! Be prepared for anything, because "anything" is what will happen. She was known as the "battle ax", and went strictly by the book, just like following the policy&procedures all are expected to follow on the floor. Great habits for all of us to gain! She pushed us out of our 'comfort zone', and seemed to have a feel for what each of us feared doing...and make us do it! This worked well for me, but not for all us in her section. I found it very motivating.

Who was your favorite...and why?

Specializes in Case Management, Home Health, UM.

To this day, my favorite clinical instructor was one in which I had when I went through my LPN training at a local technical school...years before I got my RN. She was singulary responsible for teaching me how to do ratio and proportion (I never learned how in high school) and saved me from being kicked out of the program, when I caught the flu during an epidemic and missed a lot of clinicals. She was just one of those rare individuals who was a born teacher, not to mention a darn good nurse and human being.

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I have had a few clinical instructors that I have liked. There was the one who was known for being tough and enjoyed instilling a certain level of fear in her students. She had very high expectations and would not fail to let you know if you did not meet them. However, on the other hand, when you did well, she was the first to brag on you to the other nurses. She taught is so much and we got to do/see more then we had in any clinical up to that point. I think that slight level of fear was just enough to keep me on my toes and make me do my best.

I just recently had a clinical instructor who was just fantastic. We were on a cardiac telemetry unit and I think at first we were all overwhelmed, esp. since it was the first time we got 2 patients. But she was always patient with us and told us to take a deep breath when we felt overwhelmed. She was a huge stickler on meds, which forced us to learn them. At first it seemed annoying, but she made us put a pen dot on the MAR next to the meds as we checked them with the orders in the chart. But, she told us that it was a good way to KNOW that you checked the order. I have done that ever since and it really is no more time consuming. I also now feel like I have a good base knowledge of common cardiac meds. I think she may have been my favorite instructor, but then again, I may just be saying that because she gave me my first ever clinical excellence award. ;)

We graduate in Feburary and these are just 2 of the many clinical instructors that I think really helped shape me and taught me the most. Sometimes, in the end, the instructor that is the toughest, turns out to be the best.

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Specializes in orthopaedics.

still in nursing school. i do have a few favorites though.

the one that comes to mind immediately is the instructor i currently have. she treats us with respect, allows us to think things through and make judgements about patient care and allows autonomy. she's willing to jump in get her hands dirty and talk you through any procedure with ease without making you feel like a bumbling fool.

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Specializes in Emergency/ Critical Care.

My favourite clinical instructor (not including my preceptor for consolidation) was the one I had for med-surg. She was great! She was encouraging, told me regularly what a great job I was doing (which is something I've never heard from an instructor before!) encouraged me to take more and more complex cases and allowed me to take a full patient load toward the end of the rotation. She was very approachable and had the best way of challenging and encouraging a student that I've ever seen. This isn't to say that she was an easy instructor... she was a stickler for the rules and where other instructors would let something slide, she would hold the student accountable. I have nothing but respect for this woman!!!

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My favourite clinical instructor (not including my preceptor for consolidation) was the one I had for med-surg. She was great! She was encouraging, told me regularly what a great job I was doing (which is something I've never heard from an instructor before!) encouraged me to take more and more complex cases and allowed me to take a full patient load toward the end of the rotation. She was very approachable and had the best way of challenging and encouraging a student that I've ever seen. This isn't to say that she was an easy instructor... she was a stickler for the rules and where other instructors would let something slide, she would hold the student accountable. I have nothing but respect for this woman!!!

Oh gawd...........I realized what your screen name means, and I suddenly feel very very very old........I graduated high school in 1980..........

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Specializes in Emergency/ Critical Care.
Oh gawd...........I realized what your screen name means, and I suddenly feel very very very old........I graduated high school in 1980..........

awwww lol come on now, you know age is just a number (and really, yours isn't even very high, it still has a 4 in front of it!!!) If it makes you feel better, I have days where I feel like I'm in my 60's lol

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