How do parents feel about nursing students?

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Hi everyone

I recently started my first clinicals involving children: ob and peds. I have a picu rotation coming up and I'm really worried about interacting withings the parents. I know if my child was sick enough to be in the picu, I would be very careful about letting people around him/her. How do parents in the picu usually react to student nurses? and are parents usually ok with students doing baths and assessments on their infants on the mother baby unit? How do you talk to the patients and their families?

Sorry if this is a dumb question. I have a problem with social anxiety and shyness and Ive been doing pretty well handling it in clinicals with adults but this semester is really challenging me.

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Specializes in ICU/ Surgery/ Nursing Education.

I can't personally guarantee how it will be for you, but during my PICU rotation I only saw one set of parents and it was a very large and full PICU. It was sad to see so many sick kids without parents involved. This was a non issue in my case, and I got to perform a tremendous amount of assessments and skills. All the PICU nurses would grab me and try to expose me to something.

If you do encounter parents just respond like you would normally, with respect for the situation. If they don't want you there then don't take it personal, it is their decision. The nurses should not put you into a position that will get you into trouble.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

As a PICU nurse, I am VERY upfront with my parents when I have a student. "This is Ms. So-and-So from Local University. She is with me today, watching and learning, but she will not be your child's primary caregiver. That is MY job, and I supervise her very closely. Thank you for letting my student learn about your child under my watch today."

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My patient in PICU didn't have parents around, which was sad to me. The other parents I've been around in peds and postpartum were wonderful. They know there is still an RN involved, and they see that my instructor is with me for anything invasive, meds etc. Our instructors always ask the parents if they're ok with having a student nurse, so it's not a surprise to them when we walk in.

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

if they are prsent at all, I can tell you that most parents do no have a clue what you are able to do. Act with confidence and caring and you should do fine.

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The parents I worked with during my peds rotations all seemed really happy with the extra attention the child and the family got while I was there. Sometimes parents don't want to leave their child in the room alone so they go without meals. Offering to sit with their child while they take a walk or grab a meal or shower is usually very appreciated.

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In my postpartum I was super nervous! My mom was an RN herself, so I felt that I needed to be on the ball and do it all right. She was so nice and great! She let me do whatever on her and the baby! On my peds rotation all my parents were great. We did have one set of parents in the PICU that did not want too many students around. They were very attentive. I just made sure that I asked if it was ok if I did everything. That went along way. Getting to know parents is HUGE and can really help if you notice they have an anxiety!

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