Help me with CET's

[dannygirl04]

I'm a second semester student and in first semester we never did a CET. This semester I have one due almost every week. I just did my first one and thought I did a pretty good job on it. I wrote a long descriptive paragraph for each competency. I had a great day at clinical that day and was able to write quite a bit about it to fill the CET form. When I got it back graded today with the comments from my instructor, it seems that she wants me to add more to it and perform at higher standards. She said I should be putting more second semester stuff on there. I'm not sure what that means since I'm not allowed to do IVs, NG tubes, wound vacs, etc. When I asked for clarification last week on something she seemed irritated that I would even ask which makes me afraid to even approach her now. I've always been a 4.0 GPA student and I want to keep it that way. Any suggestions on how to write a really good CET?

[RED1984, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

What is a CET?? I'm in my 4th semester and haven't heard of a CET :/

[dannygirl04]

It's a competency evaluation form. I guess it's made by the state or something and they set 7 competencies that they want us to meet. For example, "use information and technology to communicate, manage data, mitigate error, and assist with decision-making. Document complete, accurate, pertinent information in a timely manner using electronic or agency standard documentation systems." There are 3 more things that do with that one competency, but that's what this form is like. And then you're supposed to say how in your 6 hour day of clinical time you met that competency and be very specific and very thorough. What I'd love to say is that in my 6 hours of clinicals I took care of my patient, provided them with excellent care, and hopefully was able to do something to make their hospital stay a little more comfortable because I feel that's more important than filling out a form.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

This must be school specific....checking with your peers would give you the best answer. If this check off list is a part of the requirements...then you need to fill it out. Many jobs will give you a skills checklist that summarizes your skills.

[RED1984, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

It's a competency evaluation form. I guess it's made by the state or something and they set 7 competencies that they want us to meet. For example "use information and technology to communicate, manage data, mitigate error, and assist with decision-making. Document complete, accurate, pertinent information in a timely manner using electronic or agency standard documentation systems." There are 3 more things that do with that one competency, but that's what this form is like. And then you're supposed to say how in your 6 hour day of clinical time you met that competency and be very specific and very thorough. What I'd love to say is that in my 6 hours of clinicals I took care of my patient, provided them with excellent care, and hopefully was able to do something to make their hospital stay a little more comfortable because I feel that's more important than filling out a form.[/quote']

We do something similar here in TX. It`s a requirement of the TX BON. They are called DECs here, I agree with esme~ collaborate with your classmates... that's how we got through ours :) GOOD LUCK

[Nurse Kyles, BSN, RN]

What I'd love to say is that in my 6 hours of clinicals I took care of my patient provided them with excellent care, and hopefully was able to do something to make their hospital stay a little more comfortable because I feel that's more important than filling out a form.[/quote']

I can appreciate what you are saying here. Unfortunately, nursing instructors are unable to observe their students 100% of the time while in clinical. The thoroughness of your paperwork assignments is demonstrating to your instructor the thoroughness and competency of your nursing care. I would ask your instructor for more specific direction regarding the assignment.

[Nurse Kyles, BSN, RN]

Sorry I missed the part about you being afraid to talk to your teacher! I guess I would try to seek out some peers, and see what you can figure out. Does your school have a nursing learning lab? I found the instructor in the learning lab was an excellent resource when trying to figure out assignments.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

"More second semester stuff" would presumably not be a regurgitation of the CNA-equivalent of first semester. She expects you to think about what you're doing at a higher level, That does not mean "describe more manipulative skills like IVs that we can't do." It means learning more about the physiology of illness and treatment, medications in greater depth than just giving them, knowing and applying more about therapeutic communication... did you save that piece of paper they gave you at the beginning of the semester on the objectives of this course? There's a start.

And I hate to be the one to burst that little bubble about "making them comfortable" and all, but if caring were enough, anybody could be a nurse. You are also supposed to learn critical thinking and how to document how you used it as a nurse in addition to that. Not optional, and not trivial, and not something you can forget about when you get out of school.

That's what your faculty wants evidence of. Take a good clear look at the comments she put on your form before she gave it back to you, and understand that she wants you to be a nurse, not a super-competent CNA with some extra psychomotor task proficiency. This is a growth opportunity; don't miss it.