I'm new to allnurses.com. I am an RPN student and about to start my first clinical placement. I have an issue with commuting to the location that I've been assigned to and I am dumbfounded as to how to handle it... or if I even have a choice anymore. I feel like my only option is to face the music of a dangerously sleep-deprived semester.
I liveand attend a practical nursing program in *******. Being punctual for my classes has never been an issue; however I knew that to be punctual for placement I would need somewhere more to the west. Several months before my clinical placement, I politely put in a request to my clinical coordinator to consider placing me somewhere in the west or at least central downtown; I followed up on this request in an equally polite manner one month ago to confirm. So late this evening I finally got an email from my assigned clinical instructor telling me that I will be working alongside her in a hospital in Scarborough and have a 07:00am start time... meaning I need to be there by 6:30am to prepare for my shift.
nursingstudent85: If it's any solace to you, I totally agree with you. I, too, have a bachelor of science. I then went on to receive a paralegal certificate and then a medical asst certificate. While going through all of those programs, I never experienced the treatment that I rec'd in Block 1 of nursing school. I felt like I was in the military and that most of the instructors were trying to "break us!" Why nursing school is like this, I do not know. Luckily, the treatment and respect improved as we progressed through the program.
I'm not saying that all instructors are like this (so any of you instructors out there, please don't jump all over me!). BTW, I am an "A" student so nobody can say I am just a slacker or a complainer! I put a lot of effort into this program and my kids and husband have sacrificed a lot.
Yes, it would be nice to have a little more respect and support. :)
I realize that I am very likely going to have to "deal with it"; I suppose now I am just venting because I am REALLY frustrated. I have a 4.0 GPA, I am never late or disrespectful and I ask this one time to be accommodated and I'm pretty much ignored.
Anyway...
Hopefully (whilst I'm waiting in a dark bust shelter at 3am; b/c there is only one bus in my city that begins its route @ 3am and then runs once an hour)... Hopefully, while I am waiting there no one will assault, rape or murder me. If someone does, well... that will be really bad PR for my school and maybe then they'll think about student safety and consider more reasonable placements in the future.
Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.
You could consider finding a safe place to park and sleep in your car I suppose. Renting a cheap motel room seems the obvious solution. You could also query the hospital and see if they would let you stay there in an empty room or something.
I think making the commute is a very poor option to be honest.
Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.
Also have you looked at nearby cities to get on the bus? Can you drive to a different bus stop a bit later in the morning (letting you get a bit more sleep and be a bit safer), park and get on there?
Unfortunately, (as previously mentioned) I do not own a car, I can't afford to buy a car and can't afford to rent a motel room. If these things were options I would be exploiting them already. Sorry, I do appreciate that you took the time to share your thoughts and I don't mean to sound b*&chy... I sincerely apologise if I do. I'm just at the end of my rope.
As you suggested, I will look into whether or not the hospital has a spare room or even a bed to spare. Thanks for that tip! I've never heard of this before regarding nursing students, but I know it's an option for medical students. This would be amazing if it could actually work out. Has this ever been an option for nursing students (with extenuating circumstances) where you work? If so, what would be the best way for me to discuss this with my clinical instructor?
In the meantime, I continue to ask my peers if anyone has a couch or floor I can crash and in exchange I've been offering to help with research papers, editing or babysitting... So far, I have had no luck. I have exhausted all the options i can think of and have no other choice but to struggle with my difficult commute, for now.
I will look into whether the hospital can provide a bed or office or even a chair I can use to sleep over. Fingers crossed!!
Hey, ro2878... I am in my final year of nursing school and the treatment hasn't improved for my peers or I. We still encounter really belligerent faculty that make you wonder why these people still remain in a "caring" profession such as nursing or why they’re even teaching. They're terrible to their students and they're equally terrible to their patients and some of their methods severely contradict some of nursing’s professional standards. For all their knowledge, it's still hard to admire them for much else... being so bitter towards the world and all. However, since we are just subordinates there is very little we can do about it without expected risks and repercussions.
From now on, I'm trying to refocus my attention to the positives. I want to be the kind of nurse people look up to and not the one people dread to work with. I've been dwelling on the negatives for the past little while and I need to stop this. You know what makes it all worth while... when once in a blue moon you meet a nursing prof. who, after decades of experience, is still passionate about his or her work and tries to inspire others. I had the privilege of having such a prof. last semester. I was so grateful to this prof. that I made sure at the end of our semester to have our entire student body compose letters of thanks to her for inspiring us all to be better nurses and for helping us succeed academically.
I'm going to aspire to be more like this particular nursng prof. and stop my negative train of thought asap!! Whatever happens this semester, I'll deal with it. Even if I have to sleep in a bus shelter. I'll deal with it and work every shift with a smile on my face. I love taking care of people and, despite all of the bull$#*!, I really do feel that this is the best job in the world. I think the negative experiences I’ve encountered are part of the reason why I’d like to be a nursing instructor one day... to be an advocate for students.
I'm still going to take not.done.yet's advice and ask if the hospital can spare somewhere for me to sleep though Well, here's to hoping!!
If you already spoke previously to the coordinator regarding this matter, then I think that it is appropriate that you mention something to her now. I would not wait though... I mean, a 3.5 hour commute one way is just not acceptable. I am not sure where you live but to me that is absurd. I am currently in school myself and working... there is no way that I would be able to make that commute so I would be forced to say something. Like the person above said, if you don't say something, they will just keep doing it. I am not sure how much time you have left in school, but if you don't say something now, you could get stuck with this one for the rest of the time you are in school. Good luck, and I hope that you can find something closer.
Thanks for your reply student4lyf_LPN. I am going to discuss this with my instructors this week. I've made some notes and points to discuss; I am practising a tactful approach. I am trying for the best and also preparing for the worst (in case something can't be worked out). Like I said, my school is not very accommodating at all. I know a classmate who had a medical emergency last semester (she offered to provide the school with required documentation) and they were unsympathetic towards her need to reschedule a quiz. They basically told her to write the quiz as scheduled or forfeit her mark. Unfortunately, they work us so hard that she never had the energy to fight for her rights as a student. I am currently working on improving the situation as much as I can. Like I said, I am trying to better my situation but preparing for the worst, just in case.
Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.
I am sorry I didn't catch that you don't have a car at your disposal. I hope the hospital can work something out with you. If nothing else this semester is going to be one heck of a war story for you some day!
Well, here's to hoping!!
ro2878, ADN, BSN
183 Posts
nursingstudent85: If it's any solace to you, I totally agree with you. I, too, have a bachelor of science. I then went on to receive a paralegal certificate and then a medical asst certificate. While going through all of those programs, I never experienced the treatment that I rec'd in Block 1 of nursing school. I felt like I was in the military and that most of the instructors were trying to "break us!" Why nursing school is like this, I do not know. Luckily, the treatment and respect improved as we progressed through the program.
I'm not saying that all instructors are like this (so any of you instructors out there, please don't jump all over me!). BTW, I am an "A" student so nobody can say I am just a slacker or a complainer! I put a lot of effort into this program and my kids and husband have sacrificed a lot.
Yes, it would be nice to have a little more respect and support. :)