what makes a good clinical (student) ?

[lifeLONGstudent]

Nurses,

What things do you think are the most helpful to the student in clinicals - I am not talking about PDAs or technical stuff... I am talking about getting along with the nurses while in their clinical. The nurse-student relationship can be a stressful for both parties. What bits of advice would you offer to new students. What things do you appreciate (or at least - what can they do that DOESN'T make you mad) and what would you tell them to definately NOT do.

For those of you who have worked wtih students in the past, what character traits or qualities about the 'well-liked' student do you remember? If you had a great experience with your student in clinical, what things do you think contributed to that great experience. What things do you wish you could change about the students in clinicals where you work?

Thanks for any info,

lifeLONGstudent

[danu3]

I'm all for student obervation in the O.R. ( i mean, how else will you find out if you might want to consider it as a career option?) but please, please, please do not lean over or touch anything sterile.

This reminded me of an artilce by Roy Blair, RN. titled "The Voice" in Point of View.

Context, he is in OR learning...

"..."Open the ties and first suture," my instructor bellowed.

I tore the end off a packet of suture, grasped the exposed needle and pulled. The suture unraveled its full length, and then escaping from the package, snapped back to its original shape. The momentum of this act, however, pulled the needle out of my grasp. The suture sailed across the room, hitting the circulating nurse on the shoulder. I tried a second time with the same results, althought this time I it the nurse on the forehead.

'At least his aim is improving,' she muttered.

...

Then with wet, slippery fingers I tried to pick up a hemostat. This was like attemptting to get a dime off a wet bar. I finally got a grip on it, only to have the instrument shoot out of my hand, fly across the room and hit the wall. The first instrument was followed by two more in rapid succession. The circulating nurse had become immune to flying objects and didn't bother ducking anymore. My instructor raised her eyes towards heaven and for once was speechless. The surgeon, who had obviouisly had student nurses inflicted on him before, said ina a crown of thorns adjusting voice, "Nurse, if there is anything left on the tray that you think you can hold onto, please hand it to me." So, I handed him the bowl.

My next assignment was to observe an orthopaedic operation. I was enthralled by the tables covered with carpentry tools. Were they going to renovate the OR? As I hovered closer to the sterile tables, the scrub nurse became nervous.

'Do you know where the instrument room is?" she asked. I did. 'Would you get me an Otis-Fensom elevator please."

I hurried to the instrument room. Here, behind glass doors was row after row of implements that would have made any medieval torturer feel at home. I searched for 20 minutes withoiut luck, wondering why the name seemed familiar. Later, on my way to lunch, I stepped onto the elevator and suddenly realized the method that had been used to get rid of an overinquistitive and naive student..."

-Dan

ps. If you want to article, it is also in "The best of nursing Humor" by Colleen Kenefick and Amy Young.

[SoulShine75]

I ADORE working with students!!! I always write them up for something positive they did that day and give them a copy and the Instructor. I find SOMETHING to compliment them on. Here are some traits that stand out for me:

1: Take it seriously.

2: Stay calm.

3: Talk to me. Let me know what you can and cannot do, meds, IV starts etc.

4: Let me know when you leave for breaks, etc. Things change with the patient, new meds are ordered, tests etc. and I want to keep you informed.

5: Be visable on the unit, either in the patient room or obtaining supplies, reviewing the chart, etc.

6: Have supplies handy, I may need to borrow your scissors, a pen, a penlight etc. if my hands are busy and I can't reach mine.

7: Trust me. I am there to provide a positive example on behalf of nursing and I respect and support your decision to become a nurse. I will never put you in a position where you will fail, screw up or do something to the patient that would put any of us in jeopardy.

8: Let me know if you are uncomfortable with doing a procedure. I will always ask you if you want to insert a foley, an IV, an NG tube etc. I will ask you if you want me to do one first so you can observe, then try one on your own.

9: Respect my job. If things get hectic and I have to move fast, please don't follow me mumbling about something unrelated to my patient. Follow me but wait until I have time to address your concern. I have been in the middle of a procedure with one patientg and had a student walk into the room letting me know that Mr. Jones wants juice, is it OK to get that for him? That is not a priority at that time.

10. Let's touch base before you leave for the day. Let me know how you felt about that patient. Let me know if you observed anything you were not sure of. Give me a mini report.

11: If you take vitals on the patient, give me a copy.

12: Cooperate and support your fellow students.

Last, Thank you for your help. It makes a big difference and I am happy I could work with you.

I hope I get to work with a nurse like you when I'm in clinicals. You are exactly what a good mentor and nurse should be. :)

[Laurlaur]

Be on time!!!!!! Don't say "I'm just here to do nursing for a while...but later I'm studying XYZ as I don't want to do nursing as a career" - that's REALLY annoying, especially when you're taking the time to teach.

Don't say "all they get me to do is vitals, it's so boring"....muck in and help make beds, empty bins, everyone has to do this..it's OUR ward. Use the time spent doing vitals to ASSESS your patient. Listen, ask questions, don't do anything you are not capable of. Learn some basic anatomy before coming to the ward e.g. where the heart is (seriously)..if not ask your 5 year old patient, he might just be able to tell you......................

[JBudd, MSN]

Don't tell me I'm doing something wrong, ask me why I'm doing something differently than the way you were taught.

Don't undo something I have just finished doing because you can do it better, or differently.

Let me know what things you need to concentrate on so I can keep those things for you, or let you know if a colleague will have a chance for you to try something.

Remember, we do all the "boring" things like vitals and beds everyday, all day, day in and day out, practicing doing them lets you get fast at it and able to finish it quickly and efficiently, so you have time to actually talk to your patients instead of always running from task to task.

Ask lots of questions, it'll likely be a good review for me to have to explain what I'm doing and why.

Never stop learning.

Sounds like you've already got a good start, keep it up! :balloons:

[ARNPsomeday]

Be on time!!!!!! Don't say "I'm just here to do nursing for a while...but later I'm studying XYZ as I don't want to do nursing as a career" - that's REALLY annoying, especially when you're taking the time to teach.

Don't say "all they get me to do is vitals, it's so boring"....muck in and help make beds, empty bins, everyone has to do this..it's OUR ward. Use the time spent doing vitals to ASSESS your patient. Listen, ask questions, don't do anything you are not capable of. Learn some basic anatomy before coming to the ward e.g. where the heart is (seriously)..if not ask your 5 year old patient, he might just be able to tell you......................

Wow, Laurlaur! It sounds as if you have hosted some horrendous students!

[Laurlaur]

Well only being a qualified RN several months, I haven't forgotten what being a student is like! However when they turn up late, say "I hate it here and I don't want to stay (and yet still come back) and don't know where in the chest the heart is(!!!!!) it does make you wonder...........