While doing your clinical rotations have you found other RN's to be a little perplexed about our new entry program? Have you been faced with any resentment? Hostility? Encouragement?
I have found that the RN's generally do not understand our role or place in nursing. I have experienced some hostility, mostly though I have found that RNs don't understand how I can A)earn a MSN with out being an RN or having a BSN & B) that I am also earning my RN license at the same time.
Do you get that kind of a response as well?
How do you explain your new role/entry into nursing?
I, too, am in a direct-entry CNL program. A big part of the challenge has been related to the fact that the role of the CNL is new, regardless of whether you are pursuing it the traditional way or as a direct-entry student.
I've met both support and criticism during my clinical rotations. Some of the nurses have thought that it's great that there's an option like this for those of us with prior degrees/careers and many have expressed a wish that such a program existed when they decided to become nurses. But there are also those who feel that we must follow in the exact same footsteps that they did. I can see both sides of the coin. I know that this was the best path for me to become a nurse for reasons both practical and personal, but I have no delusions that this program will make me a better or worse nurse than anyone else. I am learning a lot in this program which I think will enhance my practice as I go on, but I also know that it's the person that makes the nurse, not the letters behind the name.
In terms of how I handle the negativity... I do try to teach people about my program, what it entails, what I did before, etc. But I think perhaps the biggest thing you can do for yourself is through your actions. I try to keep a positive attitude, thank anyone who has been willing to teach me (whether a unit manager or an aide), and take every opportunity to help and learn something new. People may still think my program is wacky, but if nothing else they can say that the students came in with a good attitude and worked hard. As our professors have said, you don't have to have the job title of "leader" to be a leader.
Many thanks for your words. I do come to clinicals and school with a good attitude and am always eager to learn from others. I am very much the glass is always half full kind of a person. Mostly I have found people to be open to our new clinical entry path, I have on occasion have experianced some negativity. Was mostly curious about other people's experiance.
I figure if I work hard, smile, and make myself availble to help the other nurse out where ever I can, that may change a few people's minds.
Arrghh_Nnnn
17 Posts
Many thanks for your words. I do come to clinicals and school with a good attitude and am always eager to learn from others. I am very much the glass is always half full kind of a person. Mostly I have found people to be open to our new clinical entry path, I have on occasion have experianced some negativity. Was mostly curious about other people's experiance.
I figure if I work hard, smile, and make myself availble to help the other nurse out where ever I can, that may change a few people's minds.
Overall, I enjoy my program.
-Sleepless in Seattle b/c I study too much. :)