Had my very first clinical today!

[stef77]

We didn't do any patient care, just toured the hospital and the floor we'll be on. Before hand the instructor did mention that some of the nurses are "less friendly" than others and boy she wasn't kidding!! It was 9 students and 2 instructors and inst. 1 said hello to everyone at the nurses station and out of the 5 nurses that were there one looked up but said nothing and then rest didn't even acknowledge us. I'm really hoping they are nicer than they seemed at first impression.

anyone else deal with this?

[psalm, RN]

...it will be okay. And you have your instructor who WITNESSED this. She knows what the score is. Perhaps this was the most difficult floor and she was preparing you for it. When I did my OB my instructor told me the nurse I was assigned to didn't want a student and was getting me anyway. So I meet my nurse and she tells me in front of a couple of nurses and docs, that she doesn't want a student, she's tired of students and don't get in her way! I told her, well, I will "shadow" you help where I can and hopefully I can learn something. This was a 6 hour clinical on the L&D. My pt. didn't deliver while I was there, but I made sure her linens were clean, room picked up, taught her fiance and mom how to massage her lower back, repositioned for comfort, helped her walk in the hallways,

etc. I asked "my" nurse a few questions about hospital policies about meds and stages of labor.

So don't let 'em scare you...

[lisabeth]

There will be some who arent friendly, and I just stay out of their way. There have always been a few who are very helpful. I ask them questions, and so far, I havent had any who treated me like I was stupid or anything. One was very good at showing me faster ways to do things. One went out of her way to show me things I needed for checking off for objectives, etc. A freind I met in the pre-reqs who got in before me really helped me out with a few skills.

Look for those who are willing to help out. Leave the others alone. Good luck.

[lisabeth]

...it will be okay. And you have your instructor who WITNESSED this. She knows what the score is. Perhaps this was the most difficult floor and she was preparing you for it. When I did my OB my instructor told me the nurse I was assigned to didn't want a student and was getting me anyway. So I meet my nurse and she tells me in front of a couple of nurses and docs, that she doesn't want a student, she's tired of students and don't get in her way! I told her, well, I will "shadow" you help where I can and hopefully I can learn something. This was a 6 hour clinical on the L&D. My pt. didn't deliver while I was there, but I made sure her linens were clean, room picked up, taught her fiance and mom how to massage her lower back, repositioned for comfort, helped her walk in the hallways,

etc. I asked "my" nurse a few questions about hospital policies about meds and stages of labor.

So don't let 'em scare you...

That is too bad that she would have acted that way. Maybe you wont come in contact with too many like that. Good luck

[rettax2]

I'm sorry you had to witness that but it's a sad truth. I have had it drilled in my head that some nurses eat their young. It's just a fact. Don't let them bully you though. I have found that the hard @sses are the best teachers!

[MB37]

We don't work with any nurses that haven't volunteered to work with students. They have to go through some type of training offered by my school - I don't think it's much, but I like the fact that no one is forced to precept against their will. Now, "volunteering" to precept might either get them a pay bump or at least look good at their next review, I have no idea, but every nurse I've worked with so far has been willing to not only put up with me, but teach me things as well. I've had a couple on really busy days, and they may not have had much time to teach, but no one has been rude to me yet.

[stef77]

Thanks everyone

I'm sure it will work out and I'll just have to be assertive and when the meanie nurse says "i don't need you to do blah blah" i'll say "well what CAN I do to help you".

Since this is only my first semester we can't administer meds so it's all really just cna work..you'd think the "real" nurses would welcome the break from the menial stuff!

[arciedee]

I think (I'm just a student myself, so I don't know for sure) that some of the frustration may be that different students cycle through and each has different levels of education/skills/etc., and it may not always be communicated to the nurses what the students will be doing. Luckily my instructors have always been good about posting an assignment sheet for the nurses stating which students are working with which patients, what we will be responsible for, and what time we'll be off the floor. But regardless of whether your instructor does the same, make sure you know that info and when you meet your nurse tell her/him those things upfront so that s/he know how to structure her/his day. Also, it goes without saying to be polite, ask appropriate questions, and volunteer to help wherever you can. Once you begin to establish rapport with the unit things will start to go more smoothly, I'm sure. That's how it's usually gone for us... the first few days are stressful, but then they get to know us, we get to know them, and things flow much more easily.

[stef77]

I think (I'm just a student myself, so I don't know for sure) that some of the frustration may be that different students cycle through and each has different levels of education/skills/etc., and it may not always be communicated to the nurses what the students will be doing. Luckily my instructors have always been good about posting an assignment sheet for the nurses stating which students are working with which patients, what we will be responsible for, and what time we'll be off the floor. But regardless of whether your instructor does the same, make sure you know that info and when you meet your nurse tell her/him those things upfront so that s/he know how to structure her/his day. Also, it goes without saying to be polite, ask appropriate questions, and volunteer to help wherever you can. Once you begin to establish rapport with the unit things will start to go more smoothly, I'm sure. That's how it's usually gone for us... the first few days are stressful, but then they get to know us, we get to know them, and things flow much more easily.

thanks. that's a good idea to let the charge nurse know what i'm assigned to do with her pt.

[catzy5]

We don't work with any nurses that haven't volunteered to work with students. They have to go through some type of training offered by my school - I don't think it's much, but I like the fact that no one is forced to precept against their will. Now, "volunteering" to precept might either get them a pay bump or at least look good at their next review, I have no idea, but every nurse I've worked with so far has been willing to not only put up with me, but teach me things as well. I've had a couple on really busy days, and they may not have had much time to teach, but no one has been rude to me yet.

Isn't it crazy to think that these nurses that don't want to help? I mean we will be their next co workers at the very least!! I love teaching and can't wait to be at the point where I can help out a new student. Plus I would think having a nursing student would be equal to having an extra pair of hands which from what I have seen every nurse needs!