If you had money to spend on your unit or staff---

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Specializes in Oncology, Rehab, Public Health, Med Surg.

I am a learning coach for an accelerated BSN program as well as being a full time nurse on a med/surg floor. I have a student with me at least 2 days a week for the entire shift for an entire year and I am her coach--literally doing all her clinical teaching

This does involve quite a bit of extra work and the university she attends does pay a cash amount to the learning coaches in compensation. Which our hospital does not allow us to accept.

We--the other 2 learning coaches on our floor and I --just learned last week that although our hospital does not allow us to accept the money, THEY are!!!

For the year , this would amount to about $10,000 cumulatively (and that's just our floor) I know that's pocket change for large hospitals but still--

okay I accept the money is not going to me or my fellow nurse coaches. But I want a say in where it goes. If nothing else, I'd like to choose a charity to send it to. I earned it. The hospital has done nothing to earn this money!

But mostly, I'd like to propose that the money be directed to our unit to be spent on patient care items/nurse education/--i don't know what else

If you had that type of money to be spent on your unit--education materials--breakroom--patient resources, what would you request?

Bring on the suggestions!!

Ideas so far--

Ipods- with relaxation meditations and diff genre music playlist for pts to "check out"

Individual DVD players-as above

(really-many older people don't have the above)

blanket warmer--no we don't have one

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I wouldnt say your hospital has done nothing to earn it...

They did after all train and orient you to the unit, built a relationship with the school, pay your full salary while spending time training another nurse etc

I dont think its a bad idea to try to advocate for some of the funds to go to your unit (if even if its to get a nice couch for your break room or something, or get them to buy your unit lunch once a week/two for a year or something)

But pretending like its all you and the hospital contributes nothing isnt very fair imo

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Specializes in Oncology, Rehab, Public Health, Med Surg.

I actually think it's quite a fair statement. I've been a nurse over 30 years ; their training was minimal to none. I've worked for them over 4 years--certainly long enough to have "repaid" their orientation time.

I continue to take a full patient load so that patient workload isn't altered any meaning hospital doesn't have to make ant type of changes to accommodate this program

The hospital doesn't. Have any thing to do with this teaching my nurse manager strongly suggested it would be a good idea. And I agreed. No one contributes to the teaching training except-me

Nope it's a fair statement that the hospital really doesn't have anything to do with this other

Than than assigning a nurse to the program for the year

Free lunch for a year is an interesting idea--yum

Any other ideas?

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This reminds me a bit of a book I just read,... about slavery. But I digress.

I like the idea of $10,000 of education for your unit, or maybe the hospital pays the cost of the nurse coaches attending a nursing conference.

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Specializes in Oncology, Rehab, Public Health, Med Surg.

Oh, I like the idea of the conferences ! Off to research conferences in Hawaii now ... Or maybe some of the conferences they hold on cruise ships... You are a genius!

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Specializes in ICU.

I was paid an extra $4.00 per hour years ago for this. I am shocked that your facility keeps the money, instead of letting you have it. There is a lot of extra work involved in teaching a student nurse clinical skills. I can't believe you are expected to do it without extra compensation.

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Specializes in Critical care.

I would buy our director a one way ticket to Siberia.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Oh, I like the idea of the conferences ! Off to research conferences in Hawaii now ... Or maybe some of the conferences they hold on cruise ships... You are a genius!
I wold shy away from I pads or portable DVD's etc...they ALWAYS sprout legs and walk.

I LOVE the idea of an "education" cruise or seminar somewhere wonderful! Pay for then yearly conference away like NTI which is in San Diego next year.

An office keurig for the breakroom with coffee supplied.

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I definitely think this compensationneeds to benefit you in some way. I LOVE the idea of sending you to aconference. I wouldn't buy anything that will grow legs and walk awaylike DVD players, MP3 players, etc. I think you should also get$0.50/hr or $1.00/hr when you are coaching her. A lunch or two foryour unit is nice. Maybe they could pay for yourlicense/certification renewals.

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Specializes in Oncology, Rehab, Public Health, Med Surg.
I definitely think this compensationneeds to benefit you in some way. I LOVE the idea of sending you to aconference. I wouldn't buy anything that will grow legs and walk awaylike DVD players, MP3 players, etc. I think you should also get$0.50/hr or $1.00/hr when you are coaching her. A lunch or two foryour unit is nice. Maybe they could pay for yourlicense/certification renewals.

I love the conference idea. I think it's the one I'm going to strongly put forth. After all, who can argue with more education? *wink*. I wish portable items wouldn't sprout wings I'd like to have the relaxation/entertainment options available for some of our patients. But sadly, they would

It disappoints me that our hospital is doing this The school liaison told me that all other hospitals have made some type of arrangement with their employees

On the positive side, my student is a bright,motivated ,eager to learn individual who is an absolute pleasure to teach. I am totally committed to helping her obtain the best clinical experience possible.

Thanks for great suggestions

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As sad as it is, my number one suggestion would be for basic, working supplies for the unit...

2 or 3 working O2 sat monitors

An extra dynamap or IV pump which can be swapped in when your current one inevitably breaks so staff doesn't have to just 'do without'.

Assurance that other basic supplies such as christmas trees or portable O2 would always be available - that things won't be stocked so bare-bones, so that staff wouldn't have to waste time walking to other units to borrow these.

And if you happen to have your equipment needs met already, how about putting it towards an extra 10 hours a week or so of an extra secretary or tech? I think these would have the most significant beneficial impact for your staff and patients. I'd much rather have a smoother day at work than a random 'treat' for example. Equipment and staffing have always been my top issues during my hospital shifts.

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How about some stationery for you to write your refusal on the next time they expect you to do it?

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