What do you wish students knew?

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Pulmonary med/surg/telemetry.

I've read a lot of posts about people being annoyed by some of the things nursing students do or the way they act when on the floor. I'm going to try really hard to avoid being that student so I was hoping that you could share some things that you wish students knew if you could tell them anything.

Thanks.

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Specializes in LTC/hospital, home health (VNA).

I enjoy students with me...but I work in HH - a whole different world than hospital nursing, but that's a different post. I guess one thing to keep in mind is that school teaches you the by-the-book, idealistic, NCLEX standards. Real world nursing is much different. I hope that I have maintained a sense of hope and idealism and not have become too cynical...but the stress, workload, charting and government requirements are a hard burden to bear at times. Nursing school is HARD...but just remember that your career as a nurse will be just as hard in different ways. Try not to judge a seasoned nurse too quickly because you really do not know the stress she/he is under. What may seem like a nurse being annoyed at you/students is really just the stress of trying to fit in time for one more thing in a VERY busy day. Rewarding (usually)...but busy.

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Specializes in ICU/ER.

1)If you take a chart--thats fine, but please leave a post it note where the chart lives stating where you and the chart are. That way when the Doc wants to see the most recent labs, I dont have to go searching other desks or the WC desk and both break rooms or conference room before I find you!!!

2) Start your shift by telling me what you can and cant do.

3) If you hear a call light ring, please get it. Even if it not your assisnged pt.

4) Tell me when your leaving for the day and tell me if there was anything you did or didnt do that I was not aware of.

Best of luck---i loved almost all of my clinicals

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

Please do not sit in front of a computer if you're not using it. I totally understand that the students need to come in and prep, but they take up our entire charting room, so not only is there no place to sit at all, they sit with the charts and the computer stations, so I can't do my computer charting, either.

Keep an eye on the light above your patient's door. Where I work, we use Vocera (not sure who is familiar with that)...I get paged directly when the patient rings. Not that I have a problem answering it, but since I know you don't mind doing it either, I feel bad telling you every time their light goes on, since you're not looking.

At least try to LOOK busy. Having one patient can mean you have down time. I get that. But when you're all sitting in a clump at the desk and gossiping...since we can all hear you...it's just kind of irritating to see/hear every time I go running past you doing on of the 200 things on my list.

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The book learning doesn't always = real life. That is why we have clincals.

Ask. Ask. Ask.

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Specializes in LTC, MDS, Education.

Just show respect. Act like you are thrilled to be there. Don't walk around in groups giggling. Ask a nurse if you can watch her/him do something..an admission, an IV start, anything! I could go on and on....used to teach LPN students and sometimes the ones who were experienced CNAs would act like they couldn't be bothered with bedbaths and vitals. Also, ALWAYS thank the staff when you are leaving. :)

.

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Don't act nonchalant and like you already know everything we are trying to teach you. An opinion is great, but when I am offering a piece of my knowledge. please don't make me feel like an idiot by saying something like, "I know that!"

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just wanted to subscribe to this thread... student here!

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Some nurses are really horrible to students and I'm sorry for that.

Ask questions, but also be prepared. Have your care plan written out, and know your medications.

Provide total care for your patient, and make sure the room is spic and span. I realize this will not always be your job when you're a nurse, but it's important to grasp the whole picture of patient care.

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Specializes in Acute Care.

Please pay attention to were supply rooms, dirty supply, bathrooms, and equipment are kept. I don't have time to answer your question about where something is 30 times during your time with us.

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Please pay attention to were supply rooms, dirty supply, bathrooms, and equipment are kept. I don't have time to answer your question about where something is 30 times during your time with us.

I can't get behind this. When I start a new job it takes me a while to remember where everything is, and I have to ask questions. Why would I expect a student to remember everything when I can't?

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Specializes in ER, education, mgmt.

Boundaries.

As an ER nurse and clinical instructor, I feel students have a lack of proper boundaries at times.You are a student- not a member of the staff. I was shocked when a student joined in on a unit "going away party" without invitation. Avoid being too familiar. Believe me when I say they do not see you as an equal. Also, avoid oversharing personal info with patients/families. Many people (students and seasoned nurses alike) do this in an effort to relate to their patients. Just be cautious.

Do listen to any info your preceptor or instructor may have. Ask questions. Don't allow yourself to be drawn into discussions of the "unit gossip". Avoid judgemental tones when questioning why something is not as presented in class/lab. And unless a patient's life and or safety is immediately in danger- do not correct/question the nurse in front of the patient!

Hope this helps you navigate the sometimes rocky world of hospital clinicals. Best wishes to you in this endeavor!!

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