The following email was sent to me by someone that I know asking for input. All of the names, and key identifying details of both the instructors, student, and locations have also been altered to protect the person's privacy. Honestly, I don't know what to say to this person because my wife comes home almost everynight in tears (she recently started an ICU position, I know many of you have objected in the past to my referencing her issues, but her experience in many ways mirrors this person's, which if nothing else proves that it's not just a male/female issue). I don't know how to change the hearts of people who seem to be inclined not to like you. What would you say to this person?
So, the title may be a little misleading. I am not thinking about quitting Nursing school. However, I am already thinking of what else I can do with a nursing degree other than a floor nurse. We are currently on the 3rd floor, which is a neuro and orthopedic unit. The patient care is not overwhelming and I have learned a great deal from this particular unit. However, the nurses are extremely abrasive and they have that "Mrs X, Mrs. Y" (these are two instructors that we had together who were considered abrasive and unsympathetic by many students) attitude. During our clinical prep work we "discovered" that someone was going to receive an unsat day from the week prior (as you know we only get two before being required to drop the course). Everyone was on pins and needles during prep work and no one slept well. During clinicals the following morning Mrs T. (my clinical instructor) informed us that a nurse telephoned the Dept. Chair. Dr. Big the day after our previous clinical and informed her that (student nurse A) used the incorrect tape while doing a dressing change. Dr. Big immediately ordered Mrs T (my clinical instructor) to render an unsat day.
Here is the kicker. 1.) Mrs. T assisted student nurse A in the dressing change 2.) The patient was not allergic to the tape student nurse A used 3.) Nothing negative occured because "the wrong" tape was used. For whatever reason, the nurse was upset that student nurse A did not use the type of tape she normally uses. My question is, why is something so minor so blown out of proportion?
Call me crazy, call me paranoid but I adamantly believe I have encountered two particular nurses who do not like me soley because I am male. One nurse in particular goes straight to Dr. Big if I "did not do something correctly." For instance, this man hater approached me at 9:30 am on Thursday and stated, "I need you to discontinue your patients PCA pump." I replied, "ok, I will get my instructor to watch me." Keep in mind, there are 10 people in my clinical and aside from giving oral meds and making assessments we HAVE to have Mrs. T approve or assist us. As you already know, the PCA is full of morphine. Obviously, a student is prohibited from disassembling the machine and wasting the morphine.
I alerted Mrs. T. to my scheduled task and she replied, "OK, we will do it later." In the meantime, I continue with patient care on BOTH of my patients (yes we now have to prep for two patients and do total patient care for both). At a little before 11am my nurse informed Mrs. T that she has already d/c the pump and that I was no where to be found. Oddly enough I was in my patients room giving him a bed bath. Mrs. T comes in and begins lecturing me. Insisting that I was not working with my nurse, etc...
About an hour later the nurse then goes up to Mrs. T not me and informs her that I did not chart my neurovascular checks on one of my patients. I admit, I did indeed forget to chart that particular assessment but why couldn't the nurse approach me about it? Sure enough I got another grand lecture from Mrs. Cooper in front of everyone. Needless to say I was not happy.
Roland, I have no clue what to do. I only have one semester left, so switching majors is not an option. But at the same time, I just don't see myself being a floor nurse. The attitudes are almost unbarable. Whenever I am around these nurses I remain silent and avoid them as much as possible. Infact, I think I am starting to become a little bitter and jaded, which is something that I do not want.
Again, I like working with the patients and am compatible with the role of a nurse but am not compatible with "nurses." I have to get into a position of management, research or something. Any ideas, any suggestions?
Even though doctors have a reputation for being condescending, I would much rather be around a Dr. than a nurse. While addressing student nurse A's clinical unsat day Mrs T said, "I don't know why but women love to talk and love to tattle tale. For some reason it's part of who we are."
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