Cranky floor nurses? Or snotty students??

kar212 · Apr 25, 2004

Personally, I enjoy working with students. Most students I work with have been fairly competent. I don't tear them down if they make a silly mistake. God knows, I was certainly not a star student when I was in school! I can remember having instructors who didn't think I would make it as a nurse and I can remember working with staff nurses who were rude. I decided when I was a student that one day when I was the RN and I was working with a student, I would be kind and respectful. It works quite well. Those students will someday be your co-workers. I say, be good to them and teach them well!

Chaya, ASN, RN · Apr 25, 2004

Some thoughts on the student experience from both perspective:

-COMMUNICATION is key, guys! The student should find their patients' nurse and briefly state the duties they will be expected to perform with the patient in question; when accomplished they should report to the nurse that they have done whatever was agreed to as well as any unusual findings (as one nurse would report these things to another after any instance where patient care is shared).

-as a student, I frequently found the nurses pretty abrupt. It worked better for me if I asked them when there would be a good time to speak with them for a minute or two about Mr.X. About half the time they would say "now is OK" or that we could talk while we walked to the storeroom to get dressing supplies or something. Once in a while they would say something like "Catch me in about ten minutes; I found if they felt I did give them the option of choosing a less frantic time they were less resentful.

-as a nurse, I do expect the student to find me and tell me what they are intended to do (as well as what they are allowed to do by their instructor), and to ask or at least let me know when it is necessary to take a chart for charting or a page of the MAR to sign a med off.

-that being said, I have enjoyed the students I've had. I like knowing that my patients have one person looking out for them specifically when so often I have to juggle their needs with those of 7-8 other patients, charge, paperwork, familes, etc,etc. If we don't have anything nifty for the students to see/do, I at least try to ask the questions to direct their assessment (ie; lungs sounds for a patient on aspiration precautions. I also try to reinforce how much can be assessed by doing routine care such as bathing ( skin assessment, pain assessment, neuro/ mental status, endurance/ fatigue, SOB, unusual odors, etc).

Chaya, ASN, RN · Apr 25, 2004

Some thoughts on the student experience from both perspective:

-COMMUNICATION is key, guys! The student should find their patients' nurse and briefly state the duties they will be expected to perform with the patient in question; when accomplished they should report to the nurse that they have done whatever was agreed to as well as any unusual findings (as one nurse would report these things to another after any instance where patient care is shared).

-as a student, I frequently found the nurses pretty abrupt. It worked better for me if I asked them when there would be a good time to speak with them for a minute or two about Mr.X. About half the time they would say "now is OK" or that we could talk while we walked to the storeroom to get dressing supplies or something. Once in a while they would say something like "Catch me in about ten minutes; I found if they felt I did give them the option of choosing a less frantic time they were less resentful.

-as a nurse, I do expect the student to find me and tell me what they are intended to do (as well as what they are allowed to do by their instructor), and to ask or at least let me know when it is necessary to take a chart for charting or a page of the MAR to sign a med off.

-that being said, I have enjoyed the students I've had. I like knowing that my patients have one person looking out for them specifically when so often I have to juggle their needs with those of 7-8 other patients, charge, paperwork, familes, etc,etc. If we don't have anything nifty for the students to see/do, I at least try to ask the questions to direct their assessment (ie; lungs sounds for a patient on aspiration precautions. I also try to reinforce how much can be assessed by doing routine care such as bathing ( skin assessment, pain assessment, neuro/ mental status, endurance/ fatigue, SOB, unusual odors, etc).

Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN · Apr 25, 2004

......... But in the end I feel like I am getting screwed over for doing the right thing, and it's very frustrating. I will stick to my convictions on this, because I have no desire to to either compromise a patient or lose my opportunity to ever be licensed. But there is a huge disconnect between what the floor nurses expect and what cares we are able provide.

I agree w/ the above post. I've been an RN for four years and was an LPN for seven. So, I've been a nursing student twice.

As a student, I was assigned to a nurse who tried to pressure me into give a med that was not (yet) ordered. I would not do it, and she wanted nothing more to do with me, thank goodness. A fellow student was kicked out of the program for doing a procedure which she was not trained to do. She was in the room when a pt coded, and an MD started yelling orders. She just followed them, but should not have.

When I was a student, most of the nurses were nice, helpful, and glad to have students around. Others were mean, hateful, and even downright psycho.

Having been on both sides of the fence, I think when nurses are less than happy to have students, it's because there is generally poor morale among nurses at the facility, and working conditions are poor. Also, there are a good number of nurses out there whom are totally burnt out, but who have to keep working. I overheard one charge nurse at a clinical site say "Just to add to the confusion, the dam# students are here today."

As a nurse, I have never been told ahead of time when I am going to have students or a preceptee. My pt load is never lessened in order to allow for time spent on students. Just as always, nurses are expected to just deal with everything they are given to do.

As another poster said, I really enjoy working w/ students and preceptees who are inquisitive, excited, enthusiastic, have a little healthy anxiety about being there, and who want to be there.

Nothing worse that getting a student or preceptee who is just a lump, nothing to say, no questions to ask, etc. Unless, its the student who thinks they know it all and are far too superior for grunt work like linen changes or peri-care.

Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN · Apr 25, 2004

......... But in the end I feel like I am getting screwed over for doing the right thing, and it's very frustrating. I will stick to my convictions on this, because I have no desire to to either compromise a patient or lose my opportunity to ever be licensed. But there is a huge disconnect between what the floor nurses expect and what cares we are able provide.

I agree w/ the above post. I've been an RN for four years and was an LPN for seven. So, I've been a nursing student twice.

As a student, I was assigned to a nurse who tried to pressure me into give a med that was not (yet) ordered. I would not do it, and she wanted nothing more to do with me, thank goodness. A fellow student was kicked out of the program for doing a procedure which she was not trained to do. She was in the room when a pt coded, and an MD started yelling orders. She just followed them, but should not have.

When I was a student, most of the nurses were nice, helpful, and glad to have students around. Others were mean, hateful, and even downright psycho.

Having been on both sides of the fence, I think when nurses are less than happy to have students, it's because there is generally poor morale among nurses at the facility, and working conditions are poor. Also, there are a good number of nurses out there whom are totally burnt out, but who have to keep working. I overheard one charge nurse at a clinical site say "Just to add to the confusion, the dam# students are here today."

As a nurse, I have never been told ahead of time when I am going to have students or a preceptee. My pt load is never lessened in order to allow for time spent on students. Just as always, nurses are expected to just deal with everything they are given to do.

As another poster said, I really enjoy working w/ students and preceptees who are inquisitive, excited, enthusiastic, have a little healthy anxiety about being there, and who want to be there.

Nothing worse that getting a student or preceptee who is just a lump, nothing to say, no questions to ask, etc. Unless, its the student who thinks they know it all and are far too superior for grunt work like linen changes or peri-care.

angel337, MSN, RN · Apr 25, 2004

i worked full time as a patient care tech all through nursing school, so i have a different perspective on this issue. my expectations were not very high of the nurses that i was assigned to as a student nurse because i realized that i was not a priority. i sought out learning experiences and helped the nurses as much as i could. too often i felt like i was an extra cna instead of a student because the nurses would say things like "we have students today. they can do all the patients total care". i wouldn't get to pass one med or be involved with any procedures because i was too busy bathing patients!!. students know that bathing is part of nursing but as a student you need to learn as much as you can about disease process and nursing interventions. you are only on the floor for a short period of time and that time must be used effectively. nursing instructors also need to make it clear to staff and students what the goals are for that day. i had an instructor that would assign students maybe 4 patients and require the student to do everything for the patient, including meds and baths. i liked that approach alot better because i felt like i was being utilized the way i should have been. and as for students that think cna's are supposed to do the dirty work, i fault their instructors because NO student should go into clinical with that attitude. my instructors made it clear that RN's have to get dirty too and sometimes that is the only time you may get to assess your patient. my instructors were brutal and we all graduated with a realistic view of nursing. good luck with your clinicals :)

angel337, MSN, RN · Apr 25, 2004

i worked full time as a patient care tech all through nursing school, so i have a different perspective on this issue. my expectations were not very high of the nurses that i was assigned to as a student nurse because i realized that i was not a priority. i sought out learning experiences and helped the nurses as much as i could. too often i felt like i was an extra cna instead of a student because the nurses would say things like "we have students today. they can do all the patients total care". i wouldn't get to pass one med or be involved with any procedures because i was too busy bathing patients!!. students know that bathing is part of nursing but as a student you need to learn as much as you can about disease process and nursing interventions. you are only on the floor for a short period of time and that time must be used effectively. nursing instructors also need to make it clear to staff and students what the goals are for that day. i had an instructor that would assign students maybe 4 patients and require the student to do everything for the patient, including meds and baths. i liked that approach alot better because i felt like i was being utilized the way i should have been. and as for students that think cna's are supposed to do the dirty work, i fault their instructors because NO student should go into clinical with that attitude. my instructors made it clear that RN's have to get dirty too and sometimes that is the only time you may get to assess your patient. my instructors were brutal and we all graduated with a realistic view of nursing. good luck with your clinicals :)

CyndiW35055 · Apr 25, 2004

I graduate nursing school in August, yay!!! Clinicals have been wonderful for the most part. I have been asked by fellow students how I manage to always look busy. My answer, is because I am. I personally went and asked EACH nurse that if they had ANYTHING that I could do, to let me know and I would be happy to do it. From doing someone elses vitals to giving a suppository and even digging out an impaction that the RN asked if I would do because she stated, "I really don't care to do this." Then on the other side, I had a nurse tell me that, "I don't have time to deal with students". Most of the nurses have been so accomodating and absolutely wonderful to work with and to be around.

I jump right in, do what has to be done, and at the same time try to not be underfoot all the time. I really can't wait to finish. This is all that I have ever wanted to do and all that I have ever wanted to be. I know that there will be hard days, grumpy people, and vomit everywhere, but that is what I have signed up for. For me, this will be the life. )

CyndiW35055 · Apr 25, 2004

I graduate nursing school in August, yay!!! Clinicals have been wonderful for the most part. I have been asked by fellow students how I manage to always look busy. My answer, is because I am. I personally went and asked EACH nurse that if they had ANYTHING that I could do, to let me know and I would be happy to do it. From doing someone elses vitals to giving a suppository and even digging out an impaction that the RN asked if I would do because she stated, "I really don't care to do this." Then on the other side, I had a nurse tell me that, "I don't have time to deal with students". Most of the nurses have been so accomodating and absolutely wonderful to work with and to be around.

I jump right in, do what has to be done, and at the same time try to not be underfoot all the time. I really can't wait to finish. This is all that I have ever wanted to do and all that I have ever wanted to be. I know that there will be hard days, grumpy people, and vomit everywhere, but that is what I have signed up for. For me, this will be the life. )

JujubeansRN · May 5, 2012

You say you won't cross a boundary that puts YOU in jeopardy..may I suggest you don't cross boundaries that put your PATIENTS in jeopardy instead? If you approach bedside care with the attitude that you are going to treat your patients as if they are a family member, you will do just fine. Let that be your guide-it's served me well for 20 years and counting and I am happy to say nobody has died or been hurt on my watch. Those patients are people--advocate for them. And always, always look your patients in the eye-again, they are people. You'll see what I mean as the years go by. Good luck to you!

kids · May 5, 2012

Good advice but you've responded to an 8 year old post.

The students ahve (likely) long since graduated and may of the posters moved on.