That scary student has been reported again...

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I know some thought I was wrong in reporting him but I did and my instructor was glad I did. This past weekend he was paired with yet another student and things didn't go well at all.

I don't know all the details but I left at 2:00, the partner left at 2:30 and the scary student left after 3:00. The partner had to stay behind because of the other student even though we all left at 2:00.

Again this guy didn't do any assessments, he had issues with meds, he was forceful with the patient, he didn't know how to document and from what I gather that's just the basics. There's a girl in our group who had to deal with him the previous year and she said nothing has changed. These 2 are new to our class...he apparently failed a nursing class and she screwed up math which from what I gather last year was really rough. So they are with us now.

So yesterday the student who had to deal with the scary one went to speak with the instructor and had a very nice conversation. He said that she clearly wanted to hear what his thoughts were. It sounds like she made a comment a little earlier that was hinting that he should talk to her about any issues. I know she knows there are issues and I think she needs to hear it from us as well so they can do something. Our mid term clinical evals are coming out. I bet he's not getting a satisfactory.

The student who had him first told me she regrets not reporting him and may go have a conversation with the instructor.

It's just a bad situation. I'm sure he's a nice guy but he's a danger on the floor.

Heck she instructor had to spend most of her time with him this past weekend...which honestly is not fair to the other students. She really can't leave him for very long and she certainly can't trust him with meds.

So it continues and it's very clear the instructor wants and expects us to report to her serious issues like this. I wouldn't work with a nurse like him and turn my head so I can't do it as a student. In fact my instructor made a comment that pretty much suggested that she would be annoyed if we ignored these things.

So there's the update on that. For those who thought it was wrong to report...that's your choice, your opinion. I did what I had to do and based on the reaction of the instructor and the report being made by another student...I know I did the right thing. Nursing school isn't just about me...

You have a lot to learn about boundaries.

:eek: Wow, it would seem weird to me too, not to report this student. I'm not in nursing school yet but I may think differently when I'm in clinicals. I hope not though. It is not like the teacher can see everything every student is doing, so why not let the teacher know when a fellow STUDENT is doing things that are UNSAFE??? This seems like something they should know. :chair:

Maya

I don't think it is necessarily gossip for students to report to the instructor anything dangerous they see. It may be that the teacher needs these incidents down on paper, (like and incident report) in order to be able to do anything about the student.

Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

You really aren't doing yourself any favors because your instructors do not want or need your critique of another student's skills...no matter how politely they may seem to listen to your complaints.

Don't be too surprised if nothing happens and this guy graduates right next to you.

Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

It shocks me that people find it okay to ignore dangerous people on the floor and feel no responsibility to report. Just amazes me and scares me quite frankly. Protect all but the patient I guess. (Quote SAHStudent above)

I most certainly did not suggest that you ignore a dangerous person or feel no responsibility to report. I stated that since you ALREADY reported this person to your instructor, it was not necessary to continue to do so. It is also terribly unprofessional of you and your classmates to reveal your CONFIDENTIAL conversations (with your instructor) to each other.

Oftentimes, when students and professionals engage in such behavior it is because they are insecure in their own practice and seeking validation. There are far more constructive and ethical ways to accomplish this.

Specializes in Pediatrics, High-Risk L&D, Antepartum, L.
You really aren't doing yourself any favors because your instructors do not want or need your critique of another student's skills...no matter how politely they may seem to listen to your complaints.

Don't be too surprised if nothing happens and this guy graduates right next to you.

The instructor basically asked the most recent student to report. She didn't come right out and ask but he said it was clear she wanted to know what happened.

There is no doubt in my mind that he won't make it unless he changes things. We have mid semester clinical evals coming up and maybe that will be what he needs to realize he needs to change. I hope he realizes it.

Specializes in Pediatrics, High-Risk L&D, Antepartum, L.
I stated that since you ALREADY reported this person to your instructor, it was not necessary to continue to do so. It is also terribly unprofessional of you and your classmates to reveal your CONFIDENTIAL conversations (with your instructor) to each other.

Oftentimes, when students and professionals engage in such behavior it is because they are insecure in their own practice and seeking validation. There are far more constructive and ethical ways to accomplish this.

I reported him once. He was reported again by another student. I only came here to update that the instructor made it clear this weekend that she wanted to be updated...so she was basically asking for a report from the new partner.

And it's not a confidential conversation. We spoke, she listened and said thank you and I appreciate you coming to me...she had nothing to say about him. I can repeat what I say to others.

I don't need validation on clinicals. I don't think the other 2 students he worked with need it either. There is nothing unethical about reporting dangerous behaviors to an instructor.

I could approach the student and would if I felt it would make a difference. I don't think there's anything I could say to him that would help. He needs reality to slap him if there's any chance of him changing.

Specializes in OB, ortho/neuro, home care, office.

Well - I personally commend the OP for reporting him. When I was in school, we had the same type of issues with a student. She had been in nursing school for 5 years before I got there (failed things repeatedly). One time I was in clinical with her in a peds rotation. During the normal quiz time for the meds she was about to give to a peds patient. She was asked "what are you giving the Lortab for?" Her response??!! "to lower his fever"

Sure - the tylenol will work to lower his temp, but the fact is it was given for PAIN. You do NOT give Lortabs for a fever!. Another time, well..... actually I will stop with that. There's just so many things she did wrong repeatedly. No one would partner up with her once they saw her in action. She was reported numerous times. I think she had something over the headmaster of the school or something because even after failing as much as she did, and as clearly unsafe as she was, she wasn't ever kicked out. When many a student was kicked out for much less.

In either case, this person the OP is talking about is dangerous, and as a patient advocate it is her responsibility to report the issues. To not do so would be a moral/ethical crime so to speak. So good job.

As far as other posters getting upset. Please remember, this is a forum where people can feel comfortable venting, and should be allowed to vent as long as no names or identifying specifics are used. I would've unloaded big time when I was in school about this particular student. But alas, I didn't find allnurses until I graduated.

Specializes in Emergency, Trauma.

Its fine to report issues to an instructor that YOU personally witness IF it is an unsafe practice/negligence, and in these instances you do have some responsibility to do so. Other info that you're getting second hand is not appropriate to report. Once an instructor has been made aware of an issue/problem, then the responsibility falls to the instructor to follow up/address those concerns; its not appropriate for the instructor to rely on other students to "report" on how another student is doing- the instructor needs to keep a closer eye/address the student directly. You and other students do not need to compare notes on this student; valid concerns are for the instructor's ears only, not just topic for general conversation

Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
The instructor basically asked the most recent student to report. She didn't come right out and ask but he said it was clear she wanted to know what happened.

But she "didn't come right out and ask", thats my point. I find it hard to believe that the instructor is so out of the loop that she needs students to warn her about other students. I'll be interested to hear how this ends up playing out.

If you witnessed the student performing in a grossly unsafe manner at clinical then you have a duty to report it. (note the word grossly, don't report stuff that really isn't "that" big of a deal). Once you have reported it, you need to stay out of it. DO NOT engage in gossip with your classmates about the student, do not seek out more info on the situation or listen to others talking about the student. You have done your duty, now it eally should be left alone. I see where you are coming from, but everyone involved in talking about this students conduct could wind up being reprimanded for unprofessional conduct. If this student is as incompetent as you say, it will be noticed and appropriate action will happen at some point (if they already failed once it sounds like the school is aware that there is an issue anyway). Stay away and avoid the fall-out.

Too bad the student being reported about here, is described as out in left field; should he be booted by the program; he obviously has legal recourse against at least one person who has no business in his business. Students do not evaluate other students. The original report to the instructor, if valid at all, ended any responsibility. This person has an agenda other than her/his own clinical performance or the patient's safety. Not a person who will be welcome in the workforce.

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