Hands off!

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Aug 7, 2003

I've heard of that happening for so many hours until "orientation" was over with.

HARN · Aug 7, 2003

when I did time with my preceptor everything went. That was the purpose. It was my senior yr of nursing a few months from graduation....my instructors wanted us to experience nursing as it truly was. We did like 80 hrs....so I was doing full 12 hr shifts. I thought it was a great experience :)

redshiloh · Aug 7, 2003

I went through the same type of program and that was the practice at first, then we got 'checked off' on different things and could do more. Hang in there, you'll get your shot(no pun intended)

Nurse Ratched, RN · Aug 7, 2003

I also wonder if the fact that you are already licensed as an LPN doesn't factor into it. This is a protection for you as much as the facility so you don't risk your license by doing things that would be perfectly fine for you to do in an employment setting, but not when you are there in a student role.

Jolie, BSN · Aug 7, 2003

You've got to be kidding! How in the h**l are you supposed to learn anything? I would go immediately to the program director and ask for an explanation of this policy, and what you can expect in the future. Maybe it's time to switch to another program. I'll bet my bottom dollar that this policy was not made clear to you before you enrolled and paid tuition. Who in their right mind would choose a nursing education program with clinicals based on observation? I would be hard pressed to hire a graduate of such a program!

purplemania, BSN, RN · Aug 7, 2003

How far are you into the program? In which dept. are you doing clinicals and for how long? We did almost nothing in Pedi rotation because of liability. Otherwise, you should be demanding nursing experience. We all learn by doing.

Bambi · Aug 7, 2003

It's me again. I will start my first clinicals in Oct., This will be med-surg. I did find out about this after I signed up. However, one of the requirements for this program is to be a working LPN. I guest they feel this will make up for the non-hands on experience in clinicals. Believe me, this does concern me. I have this opportunity to go to an ADN program, but it is full time and requires more time then what I am doing now.

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN · Aug 7, 2003

There are a lot of liability issues and malpractice insurance issues in allowing students to perform invasive procedures without an instructor present. This is against our school policy. We live in a very litigious society. What would appear a minor event can now result in a BIG lawsuit.