rules for student nurses

Nurses General Nursing

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I've seen the thread rules for the ER, rules for the OB, and the one about wackos in the class and I thought of starting one for students.

Rules for student nurses.

1. If you didn't study, taking extra time on the test won't make the answers fall into your head.

2. Changing schools won't help. No, the teachers aren't mean. See rule 1.

3. Sooner or later, people will get tired of you wanting to copy their homework, especially if they were up half the night finishing it and missed their favorite TV show.

Specializes in Nursing Ed, Ob/GYN, AD, LTC, Rehab.

If you never study for a test or quiz and end up flunking out dont come to me crying that the teacher is unfair and its wasnt your fault. i have to sympathy for you since i busted my butt all quater long

If it is a group project, do your share of the work.

Amen.

Also,

Don't complain that your clinical instructor failed you after you talked behind her back about her. The syllabus has all that stuff in it about professional conduct for a reason. Even if you eventually become a nurse, people will still remember you for a backbiter and a gossip. (true story)

Also,

If you don't remember what you were supposed to learn in A&P or patho or pharm, review it and learn it again. You will need to know that stuff to get through this degree.

Also,

Asking questions in class that were covered in detail in the readings wastes everybody's time and makes you look like a fool. Worse, you don't even know enough to be embarassed.

Nursing school is your JOB. Treat it as such. Do your share, do it well. Help other people out.

I loved these rules. I am the one doing the homework. I sit in class listening to about 60% of the class whine about this and that, and then wonder why they aren't getting this. Thanks for the all too true "Rules", this made me smile.

Rule: Don't let nursing school get to you. Many people, including nurses, instructors and classmates will expect you to give up your life and sacrafice everything to get through it. Its not worth it. Get your degree, be proud of it, but remember that you don't have to let it tear you down.

Rule: Don't let nursing school get to you. Many people, including nurses, instructors and classmates will expect you to give up your life and sacrafice everything to get through it. Its not worth it. Get your degree, be proud of it, but remember that you don't have to let it tear you down.

Very well said.

As a corollary, make it a habit to ignore those people who talk about how few nursing school students make to be nurses, how impossibly difficult classess/patients/doctors/hospitals/insurance/liabilities/yadda can be.;) I don't think they are trying to be helpful.

Another rule:

Get as much sleep as you can before clinicals. Sometimes, going without sleep makes the day harder.

Specializes in ER/Nuero/PHN/LTC/Skilled/Alzheimer's.

13. Know the medications you are supposed to be giving, even if you have to spend 15 minutes outside a pt's room with the RX guide going through each medication. These meds can cure or kill and it's best to know which one it will do before giving it.

14. Never be afraid to ask a question. You are not an independent practitioner at this point and there are no points given for "winging it". Preceptors, co-nurses, and instructors are there to help you, let them.

15. Talk to your patients, don't avoid them. People get along better with others when they have some idea of who you are.

16. Introduce yourself. See 15. for the reason why.

Specializes in ER/Nuero/PHN/LTC/Skilled/Alzheimer's.

Oops I guess I numbered mine wrong. sorry

Specializes in Developmental Disabilities, LTC.
14. Never be afraid to ask a question. You are not an independent practitioner at this point and there are no points given for "winging it". Preceptors, co-nurses, and instructors are there to help you, let them.

Ooh! Good one!

17. don't complain about early morning clinical s then hit the bars the next night and come into class smelling of an ash tray and hung over

omg!!!! amen to this one.

These rules are great! Thanks! I will definetly keep them in mind when I start clinical!...What exactly is team leading?

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