Gaining Respect in the Nursing Field

[tmhusted]

Hello Everyone,

I am a junior nursing student in a 4-year BSN nursing program. I am currently doing a Maternal/Women's Health Clinical Rotation, spending 4 weeks on a postpartum unit and 4 weeks at a Women's Health Clinic. One of our assignments is to post a questions on a nursing discussion forum. I would really appreciate any responses to my question!

My concern is related to practicing as a nursing student in a field where many nurses have been working on the same unit for many years. I have found that walking into a new setting as a student can be intimidating when you feel unwelcome by vetrens of the unit. In my experience, I have been told by many nurses that I look too young and that I have a baby-face, and I worry that my patients will view me in the same way.

It seems that this discussion forum is a great place where perhaps some experienced nurses could give some advice on the best ways that a nursing student or a new graduate could approach a new setting and staff. What have you been impressed by in the past when you meet students and graduate nurses? What has turned you off to them? Do you have any specific advice from your own experiences that could help nursing students gain respect from their nursing elders and patients?

Thank you in advance for your feedback, I really appreciate it!

[diane227, LPN, RN]

Any time you start a job as a new grad you have to hold your tongue and open your ears. That is actually true any time you start any job. Smile, ask questions and use those older nurses as your reference point. People respond well to positive feedback. Even the worst nurse on the floor will usually respond in a positive manner if you are nice. It is HARD because some times you will have to deal with people who are nasty (I mean your coworkers). As for looking young, being nice to all your patients and taking time to get to know them is all you need. I worked with a nurse one time who was the worst nurse on the unit (she finally got fired because she was so unsafe) but the patients loved her because she was so kind and caring. Patients judge you by your manner. They just make the assumption that you have the skill. You will do fine. Just hang in there.

[Midwest4me]

any time you start a job as a new grad you have to hold your tongue and open your ears. that is actually true any time you start any job. smile, ask questions and use those older nurses as your reference point. people respond well to positive feedback. even the worst nurse on the floor will usually respond in a positive manner if you are nice. it is hard because some times you will have to deal with people who are nasty (i mean your coworkers). as for looking young, being nice to all your patients and taking time to get to know them is all you need. i worked with a nurse one time who was the worst nurse on the unit (she finally got fired because she was so unsafe) but the patients loved her because she was so kind and caring. patients judge you by your manner. they just make the assumption that you have the skill. you will do fine. just hang in there.

great advice!

[Dorito, ASN, RN]

Went I went back to school I had been an LPN in a hospital for about 15 years. One of the nurses that I got paired up with at a clinical site was just terrible to me. I didn't tell her I already was an LPN. When my instructor asked her how the clinical went that day she went off. After my instructor told her I had been a nurse for 15 years she was mortified and cornered me the next day to tell me I should have told her I was an LPN. I told her the only thing harder than being a nurse was being a student and that she should treat all my companions with respect because I wasn't the only LPN in the group. (which I was). After that experience I always treated students with kid gloves. Just listen, ask questions and don't have a know it all attitude and you'll do fine. Good luck.

[Flightline, BSN, RN]

I think the thing that gets me the most is a lack of energy in the clinical setting (as if they are just killing time until it's over). So, be energetic to learn and to help out in whatever way you are qualified, even if that is only in turning a patient, or bathing them, whatever. Never be caught just leaning against a wall with your classmates socializing while all the nurses around you are buzzing.

Of course, if you love nursing, if you want to be a nurse, if you are excited about it--then just be yourself!:)

[Koyaanisqatsi-RN]

Any time you start a job as a new grad you have to hold your tongue and open your ears. That is actually true any time you start any job. Smile, ask questions and use those older nurses as your reference point. People respond well to positive feedback. Even the worst nurse on the floor will usually respond in a positive manner if you are nice. It is HARD because some times you will have to deal with people who are nasty (I mean your coworkers). As for looking young, being nice to all your patients and taking time to get to know them is all you need. I worked with a nurse one time who was the worst nurse on the unit (she finally got fired because she was so unsafe) but the patients loved her because she was so kind and caring. Patients judge you by your manner. They just make the assumption that you have the skill. You will do fine. Just hang in there.

100% right. Attitude makes every single difference in the world. It can literally make the difference between being fired for small stuff, or the staff and managers working with you to get you where you need to be, because you're such a great fit with your unit and co-workers. It's like that everywhere, not just nursing!