Nursing Students: How can we (your primary nurses) help you succeed??

hlfpnt, BSN, RN · Jan 24, 2007

This is a great thread! I'm no longer a student, but would like to add something anyway. Please don't abandon the student (not that I think you would...). I remember once in my first semester of Adult Health my assigned nurse left the floor for an hour & a half...all she said was "I'll be back in a minute". I remember I was so scared because I was alone, then she wanted to know why I was so stressed when she got back!

Race Mom, ASN, RN · Jan 25, 2007

I just did my 1st rotation in postpartum. It was awesome!! My nurse was very accomodating and always asked me if I had any questions. A few things I can mention would help students, especially in your area:

Ask them for their skill checkoff list right away. Get an idea of what we need to do. Ask them what their skills objectives are for the day (what do you really want to do/experience?).

If we get you behind, tell us you need us to just "shadow" for a while so you can get back on track. We will follow you around like a puppy, waiting to jump at the chance to get you supplies, pass out trays, whatever you need so we can take care of our patients.

Tell us your memory tools, or things you have found that work well.

Tell us when and why you are calling a doctor. Invite us to stand with you as you call them so we know what to relay, and what happened that required a doctors involvement.

My nurse did all the above, except the skills list. That should be my responsibility anyways, but I think it would really help if nurses knew what we were supposed to do, and things we cant.

She was doing a newborn assessment (she already let me do one) and the diaper needed changing. I told her (quietly) that I would like to do it. She didn't hear me. I didn't want the mother to think I was practicing (we never want that)--which I wasn't. Have two of my own. But...it was on my skills list, as well as swaddling. I missed the opportunity to do these skills, but it is my own fault for not letting her know ahead of time.

By the way...I LOVE maternal/child!!!!!!! LOVE IT!

SteveNNP, MSN, NP · Jan 25, 2007

I know.... After a brief stint with adults, it's babies and kids for me!

1. No call lights!!!

2. You can't ask for a cuter patient

3. You're their hero for bringing them stickers and an ice pop

4. If they cry, all you have to do is stick a paci or bottle in their mouth, and they'll forget all about crying in 2 seconds.

Baby nurse forever!!!

Stevern21

al7139, ASN, RN · Jan 26, 2007

I just wanted to comment on SteveRN21"s post.

As a student nurse in my last semester before graduation, I have experienced all types of reactions to students in clinical situations, as you progress through any school, you are always performing previously learned skills, but also expected to advance your experience of new skills to develop certain competencies. I have worked with nurses that made it obvious they saw my presence as a burden rather than a blessing to them. Especially it you are working with a senior student in their final semester, the RN's on the unit are often relieved of a considerable workload due to the students. We have a school insttructor presesnt during our clinicals to use as a resource, but we do need to collaborate with the primary nurses as well. On the other hand, I have worked with RN's who are very involved in helping us students. They are approachable, open, and treat us as a respected part of the team. It sounds to me like you are one of these people who had not yet forgotten that you were in our shoes once! I agree that there are pros to having years of experience in nursing, but I hope I never forget that I was once a student when I graduate and start taking on students, After all, how do we learn if we cannot ask questions, and get help with procedures that we may not have performed before. Juggling students and patients can be stressful (especially a brand new, semester 1 group, but there are benefits not only to the students, but to you as well. One suggestion I could make as a student is that you take time to have a group post clinical conference to discuss student questions, concerns, etc. This has been beneficial to me in order to critique my performance, and get suggestions for improvement not just from my instructors, but also the other students. I have already made friends with previos nurses I have worked with, because of their commitment to patient care, which is the inspiration for me to continue along this path I chose. Perhaps relating your own Nursing School experience ( the hard work, stress, etc.) will help your students. If I am assigned to a nurse, who for some reason seems unapprochable to me, I use my instructor as a resourse. I have had both experiences, and I try to look at the negative ones as learning experiences for what is not appropriate. The guidance nursing students need is time consuming, but we do need to learn. I don't know what kind of feedback you were expecting, but I really appreciate nurses like yourself who genuinely care for their students and want them to succede!

Amy