My Student is draining me.....

JSlovex2 · Jul 10, 2011

I have a student for 5 weeks and he is driving me crazy...thinks people of long term care are pill seekers. I had a post stroke resident that has a contractured leg and 2 stage 3 wounds. I ask pt if he is in pain and he says yes at 10/10.....Student then stated "why did you ask his pain?" of course he will take a pain pill but you dont even know if he is really in pain. UUUUMMMM i was Always taught that pain is what the patient says it is. Very frustrated with this attitude so early in his career. Any comments?

Sorry you're dealing with this. I'm confused about him asking, "why did you ask his pain?" Even if he thinks the pt is lying, you would still have to ask! Maybe you should turn it around on him, "well, what would YOU have done?" I'm not afraid of confrontation. I don't LIKE it, but it doesn't bother me. I would probably flat out tell the student what you've said here - pain is what the patient says it is! Do you have other examples?

Genista, BSN, RN · Jul 10, 2011

Sounds like a teachable moment. Students are students because they do not know it all. You would think this was covered in their school program, but maybe it hasn't been addressed, or the student doesn't "get it" yet. I know sometimes having students is challenging, but maybe you have an opportunity here to do some good through education and leading by example. Good luck!

JSlovex2 · Jul 10, 2011

Oh, I would also educate him on tolerance to medication especially in LTC. Maybe this student hasn't had any experience in LTC and truly doesn't understand how people who have dealt with chronic pain through medication have a higher tolerance to the medication. What he might see as a "high dose" may not phase the patient. It could simply be a case of ignorance.

Birdbr · Jul 10, 2011

That seemed like a pretty normal question to me. I don't know what your student was thinking, apparently he's never been in pain.

linearthinker, DNP, RN · Jul 10, 2011

I agree with turning the question back on the student. Perhaps you might discover it is coming from someplace unexpected. Precepting is not always fun, but it is important. Thank you for your contribution.

Perpetual Student · Jul 10, 2011

I'd have the student look at the contracture & wounds. I'd then pull him outside and say something to the effect of "dude, how could those NOT hurt?"

MadpeysRN · Jul 10, 2011

Scary. Sounds like basic Pharmacology to me. :uhoh3:

RLeeRN · Jul 10, 2011

I have a student for 5 weeks and he is driving me crazy...thinks people of long term care are pill seekers. I had a post stroke resident that has a contractured leg and 2 stage 3 wounds. I ask pt if he is in pain and he says yes at 10/10.....Student then stated "why did you ask his pain?" of course he will take a pain pill but you dont even know if he is really in pain. UUUUMMMM i was Always taught that pain is what the patient says it is. Very frustrated with this attitude so early in his career. Any comments?

It looks like you have a great opportunity to teach him a lot over the next 5 weeks. Teaching him how to assess pain without being tempted to make assumptions of what he thinks the pain "really" is would be a great accomplishment. His future patients will thank you. I agree with some others in that it really is probably just a lack of knowledge about the subject, or repeating what was heard from others. Glad you can have an impact.

tyvin, BSN, RN · Jul 10, 2011

It could also be possible the student is adversely effected by someone in his life who abuses drugs therefore everyone does type of attitude. By either being exposed to too many drug seekers or seeing a family member's life torn apart by drugs this will cause many a good nurse to turn cynical about pain management.

When I say drugs I also include alcohol in there because alcohol is Americas biggest drug problem.

casi, ASN, RN · Jul 10, 2011

I would definitely use this as a huge teaching experience. As a new nurse it was hard to grasp the concept that people with severe chronic pain react waaaaaay different to pain then someone with acute severe pain.

AngelofLTC · Jul 10, 2011

Another interseting idea hea had was that by giving pain meds at the end of life he considers to be euthenasia.....he does not believe in this. He went as far as to state that he does not want pain meds when he dies. Any way these are his ideas and I have no say or opinion when it comes to judgeing his work....I just feel for his future patients who may be in pian.