In clinicals and wondering if I can really do this...

mariedoreen · Feb 12, 2005

I'm in my 3rd level of ADN clinicals. Just finished my mental health rotation and am starting neuro. I'm not sure if I'm just tired after 3 semesters or what's going on. Just seems like every hospital we go to, the others staff members don't give a darn about the patients. It's wearing down my hope. I've always felt like if you don't like people, you should not be in a service/care industry. What do y'all do when you have days like this? I need a boost!
Thanks for listening,
Kim

I just started hospital clinicals last month and this week I saw for the first time a lady not get the kind of care I thought she needed. She had a stage IV diabetic decub and had been admitted in an attempt to save the extremity. It was extremely important that she be cared for in a way that would promote healing and not cause her further harm at the current wound site or elsewhere. First of all they assigned a student (me) with so little experience to care for her and expected me to just automatically know what I needed to do (I'm brand new to this and never even worked as a CNA) and then when her nurse was in helping to re-position etc.. at my request (large pt) she was not careful at all about keeping pressure off her wound. I know I'm new to all this and may not completely understand what I see going on, but I just felt that this patient required far better care than she was getting at this facility at this particular time... especially for the gravity of her situation.

The whole experience made me feel really discouraged about the profession, and for the first time I wondered if I would discover that hospital nursing was not going to be for me. So I think I understand what you're saying... but I don't have any words of wisdom because I'm kind of stumbling around through the same thing... only I'm still a little stuck in the shock of it all.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Feb 12, 2005

It only seems that way. Most nurses are do care about their patients. We're all stressed out and tired, but we care, even if it appears that we don't on the outside. Not that there aren't any bad uncaring nurses out there, just that my belief is most nurses are good people stuck in a bad situation.

Take care. We all have doubts, especially when the reality of what nursing is really like hits us.

Good luck in school.

gambitlizard · Feb 12, 2005

It only seems that way. Most nurses are do care about their patients. We're all stressed out and tired, but we care, even if it appears that we don't on the outside. Not that there aren't any bad uncaring nurses out there, just that my belief is most nurses are good people stuck in a bad situation.
Take care. We all have doubts, especially when the reality of what nursing is really like hits us.
Good luck in school.

I needed a boost. I know that most nurses are just tired and over-worked. But sometimes the really pissy ones are the only ones that talk to me. We keep hearing in school that nurses eat their young. I'm beginning to understand this comment. But I know that I will just have to be an example and do what I can for my patients.

Thanks again.

Kim

gambitlizard · Feb 12, 2005

I just started hospital clinicals last month and this week I saw for the first time a lady not get the kind of care I thought she needed. She had a stage IV diabetic decub and had been admitted in an attempt to save the extremity. It was extremely important that she be cared for in a way that would promote healing and not cause her further harm at the current wound site or elsewhere. First of all they assigned a student (me) with so little experience to care for her and expected me to just automatically know what I needed to do (I'm brand new to this and never even worked as a CNA) and then when her nurse was in helping to re-position etc.. at my request (large pt) she was not careful at all about keeping pressure off her wound. I know I'm new to all this and may not completely understand what I see going on, but I just felt that this patient required far better care than she was getting at this facility at this particular time... especially for the gravity of her situation.
The whole experience made me feel really discouraged about the profession, and for the first time I wondered if I would discover that hospital nursing was not going to be for me. So I think I understand what you're saying... but I don't have any words of wisdom because I'm kind of stumbling around through the same thing... only I'm still a little stuck in the shock of it all.

xxx

Tweety, BSN, RN · Feb 12, 2005

Kim, don't let the trolls get you down. Your attitude that you are going to rise above and be the example is the best. You'll be a great nurse because you care not only about your patients, but your fellow nurses. :)

Tweety, BSN, RN · Feb 12, 2005

mariedoreen, I feel almost all the patients are deserving of better care. I get so frustarated at the end of some days at the care the patients are getting when we have eight and nine patients apiece. Sigh.....don't get me started. :)